FAQ

Q. - Do I have to be member of the military to fish American Bass Anglers tournaments?
A. No, any person over the age of 16 can become a member and compete in our tournaments.

Q. - Is this a Pro-AM trail?
A. - No. This is a True Draw Trail format. Boaters and Non-boaters alike are welcome. These tournaments are designed for the true weekend angler with a
level playing field. We all work to hard during the week to go and fish tournaments against guides, pros and team members that have lived on the lake for weeks. The weekend angler wants a simple tournament format. One that allows him/her a chance compete against other weekend anglers and have
a good change to win a much bigger end of the year prize, like a fully rigged Triton TR21PD, with a 225hp outboard trimmed with all the right equipment and water ready. At our Draw National Championship you can actually have a shot at one of three, Triton TR21PD fully rigged Bass Boats.

Q. - I understand you have a Bring Your Boat Use - Your Boat policy, is this true?
A. - Yes! Boaters are allowed to use their boat at any 1-day or 2-day event. "Bring your boat - Use your boat". The exception to this is at the National
Championship; it is NOT guaranteed boat use. Again, the weekend angler is looking for a level playing field.
Most anglers like the team format because they want to make sure they can use their boat. Our format is the best of both worlds, it allows the angler to use his boat and also gain national standings as an individual fisherman, not as a team. Pros like Davy Hite and many others got their early tournament start fishing our draw tournaments. If they had fished as a team, they would not have made the jump to the professional ranks.

Q. - How long has American Bass Anglers been around and how much is your entry fees and payback ratio?
A. - Since 1975, the group has grown to a point that it has been incorporated under American Bass Anglers. Entry fees are $55.00 for a one-day tournament and $110.00 for a two-day tournament. Payback is 1 in 7
for every 7 anglers one place is added to the payout. Our payout is gear to payout to the center of the field not just first place.

Q. - If I come to one your tournaments do I have to pay a late fee?
A. - As a standard courtesy for all American Bass Anglers tournaments, new and renewing members do not pay late fees for that tournament. Just become a
member or renew your membership the morning of a tournament and you will not pay a late fee. Life members never pay a late fee.

Q. - What makes American Bass Anglers Draw Trail unique and set apart from the other trails?
A. - American Bass Anglers makes it very simple for any angler in the country to qualify for a large national championship without all the hurdles that face most anglers. Our anglers expect and deserve to have the right to fish a national championship the same season not in 18 months after surviving many regional, state and divisional championships. Our members want a level playing field to make it possible for them to advance and gain recognition for their individual fishing talents. Do well locally and you will be off to the national championship! Our anglers compete for national rankings against members all over the
country but do it on their home waters. This means if the guys in California are catching 30-pound strings the guy Oklahoma still competes with just placing in his/her tournament regardless of the weight. We DO NOT use a points and pounds system, we use POINTS ONLY system. This means no area of the country gains an advantage because they have a longer growing season. This approach gives the anglers in Minnesota a level playing field against the anglers in Florida.

Q. - I hear you have an extensive list of National Sponsors and Local Sponsors backing this trail. Tell us who they are.
A. - Yes, American Bass Anglers is supported by the best in the industry: Triton Boats, Abu Garcia, all-star Rods, Berkley, Golden Flake, Johnson, Lucky Craft, Minn Kota, Mitchell, PROBASS Networks, Raymarine, SpiderCast, SpiderLine, T-H Marine, and The Boat House. In January 2002, American Bass Anglers announced Honda Marine as a Title Sponsor of the American Bass Anglers Tournament Trail. Honda Marine's introduction of the BF225 Four Stroke Outboard will take the market by storm starting in the spring of 2002.

Q. - How does your point system work?
A. -For one-day tournaments (200 points at 1 point increments) For example: 1st Place 200-points, 2nd Place 199-points and so on. For two-day tournaments (400 points at 2 point increments) For example: 1st Place 400-points, 2nd Place 398-points and so on. With a full field, (20 anglers or more) you will receive maximum points. You may fish as many one-day and two-day tournaments you wish, but only your BEST 4 one-day tournaments + your BEST two-day tournament count toward national standings. This allows the angler to put a bad tournament behind
them. A PERFECT score is 1200 points: 4 one-day tournaments at 200 points each = 800 points, plus 1 two-day tournament at 400 points = 1200 points.
Here is an example of how the points would work for a Sample Angler. The key is a level playing field. If one angler can fish 20 tournaments he/she does not gain an advantage over someone that can only fish 6.
Tournament Number 1 or 2 Day Tournament Number of Fish Place Anglers Max points for 1st Place Points Awarded
1 1-day 5 fish 1st Place 20 200 Max 200
2 1-day 5 fish 1st Place 19 199 Max 199
3 1-day 4 fish 5th Place 20 200 Max 195
4 1-day 0 0 20 50 show points 50
5 1-day 3 fish 10th Place 20 200 Max 190
6 1-day 4 fish 9th Place 20 200 Max 191
Totals from 1-day tournaments. This total represents the best four finishes. The best 4 were: Tournament 1,2,3, and 6 = 785 points 785
7 2-DAY 5 1 20 400 400
This total represents the four best one-day events (785) + the two day event (400) = 1185 total points 1185

Q. - I understand that you will be giving away three fully rigged 21 foot Triton Bass Boats at your National Championship and that you do not even have to show up at the National Championship to win one of these boats, is this true?
A. - Yes, in 2002 American Bass Anglers will give away three Triton TR21PD fully rigged bass boats. One Triton TR21PD Bass Boat will go to the winner of the 2002 National Championship. One Triton TR21PD Bass Boat will go to the 2002 Angler of the year. One Triton TR21PD Bass Boat will be given away by a drawing at the National Championship and you said it right, you do not even have to be present to win!

Q. - How do you qualify for the TR21PD given away by draw?
A. - If you meet the minimum requirements to fish the national championship, which is to fish 4 one-day tournaments and 1 two-day tournament. This
qualifies you for the national championship and the boat given away by draw, and you do not have to be present to win. We would suggest you be close to a
phone on October 11 around 8pm.

Q. - Tell us a little more about the National Championship.
A. - The National Championship will be held Oct 6-11, 2002 on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama. Entry fee is only $150.00 and the anglers will compete for more than $200,000.00 in cash and prizes including the fully rigged Triton TR21PD Bass Boats. The top 500 national point holders will be invited to compete in the National Championship. The national is kicked off with a special salute to America and each of the
armed services with and on the water flag presentation. We have a very patriotic celebration at the launch of the first day of competition. Instead of giving away prizes and awards at the weigh in site, we host a sit down banquet for our members. At this awards banquet we have special guest speaker and present awards for the national. These awards include:
Angler of the Year: Which is the top points holder after the national championship. He/She will be presented a new Triton TR21PD fully loaded with
a BF225 Honda, Minn Kota trolling motor, Raymarine electronics, TH Marine HotFoot and HighJacker jack plate. He/She receives a special trophy and 10k
American Bass Anglers Angler of the Year ring.
Service Team Awards: We honor the top point holders in each of our seven service teams: Associate, Army, Navy, AirForce, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Lady Anglers. Each of the top five are presented with Product from our sponsors and special trophies.
National Champion: The angler that wins the national championship will be presented a new Triton TR21PD fully loaded with a BF225 Honda, Minn Kota trolling motor, Raymarine electronics, TH Marine HotFoot and HighJacker jack plate. He/She receives a special trophy and 10k American Bass Anglers Angler
of the Year ring.
Places at the Championship: With full field of 500 anglers 75 will receive a check.
Draw Prizes, at 2001 national championship over $65,000 in draw prizes were given away at the awards banquet. This is great week for our members and their families to fish, meet new friends, and win some big prizes. We will even have special programs during
the day for the family members while our anglers of competing on the lake.

Q. - Does a Non-Boater even stand a chance at winning the National Championship?
A. - I am glad you asked that. In fact, at the 2001 National Championship held at Lake Texoma, a NON-BOATER, Ken Marrs, from Wolcott, Indiana became
the National Champion and took home a new Triton TR21PD fully loaded with a 200hp outboard, Lowrance electronics, TH Marine Hot Foot, Jack Plate, Finger
Flex Trim, and a Max Air Aeration system. American Bass Anglers paid out
over $167,000 in cash and prizes at the 2001 National Championship. In 2002
it will be over $200.000.00 in cash and prizes paid out.

Q. - Do I have to fish my home district to earn national points?
A. - No! You may fish any district throughout the United States. All count for points! Fish as many 1-day tournament as you wish, but remember, only the top 4 count. After fishing at least 4 one-day events you are now eligible to fish as many 2-day events as you wish, but again, only your best finish will count for points.

Q. I'm currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I'm a three year member of ABA and not sure when I'll be back to the great U.S.
but I'm hoping it will be before next Oct. My question is, is there any way that I could fish the Nationals if I'm not able to fish enough one day tourney's prior to the nationals due to this deployment? Thanks for your
help. Also, all of the Air Force folks here really appreciate the support all of you are giving us.
A. Because of the situation we all face, I have decided that the American Bass Anglers will extend memberships for those Active Duty Military, National Guard, Reserve and DOD Civ. that are deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom until they return. I will also insure that those same members, because of their duties, who cannot qualify normally will have a slot in the 2002 National Championship. How do you get this? Simply call me at 1-888-203-6222 when you return or e-mail me. God speed to all who are deployed and return to us safely.