The shindig formerly known as the TTBC is now simply called Toyota (‘cause that’s the big sponsor) Texas (‘cause that’s the place where it’s happening) Fest (which covers all the goings-on including music, food, games AND a bass fishing tournament).

Apparently, the fishing part is still known as the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, as the winner will be crowned ‘the 2016 TTBC champion’, according to the last paragraph of the attached press release.

Anyway, it’s a big tournament featuring an All-Star field vetted through the major Tours – FLW and Bassmaster Elite Series.

They’re fishing Lake Ray Roberts. Details here:

Top 38 anglers in the world to compete at Lake Ray Roberts

Frisco, TX (April 7, 2016) – As part of the 2016 Toyota Texas Fest presented by JBL (TTF), the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) will feature 36 of the world’s best professional anglers from May 20 – 22, 2016 at Lake Ray Roberts in Denton, TX. The field for the tenth anniversary of TTBC is highlighted by defending champion Brent Ehrler and 2016 Bassmaster Classic champion Edwin Evers.

 

The field is made up of the top 15 anglers from the 2015 Angler of the Year (AOY) points from both the FLW Tour and Bassmaster Elite Series as well as eight exemptions. Other notable anglers include 2015 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens, 2015 FLW Angler of the Year Scott Martin and Keith Combs, three-time TTBC champion.

 

“Over the past nine years the priority of the TTBC has been to promote fishing, outdoor recreation and the conservation efforts of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,” said Lenny Francoeur, tournament director. “Each year we host the world’s best anglers on Texas’ premier fisheries, and we are excited to see these anglers take on Lake Ray Roberts, one of the Texas’ top fisheries.”

 

The overall field is highlighted by a combined 16 Angler of the Year titles, including eight Bassmaster AOYs and eight FLW Tour AOYs; 19 major championship titles, including eight TTBCs, six Bassmaster Classics, and five Forrest Wood Cups; 179 tour wins and over $60 million in career earnings. The field will also include exemptions Randy Howell, Mike Iaconelli, Kelly Jordon, Terry Scroggins, Gerald Swindle and 2015 TTBC champion Brent Ehrler.

 

“Winning the Toyota Texas Bass Classic last year was one of the biggest achievements in my career,” said Ehrler.  “The TTBC is the most difficult event to qualify for in professional bass fishing, and to raise the trophy on the final day, you had to have beaten the most elite group of anglers on the planet. I am excited to get back to Texas and defend my title on Lake Ray Roberts in May.”

 

Along with the coveted title of TTBC champion, the anglers will be competing for two additional awards. The angler who catches the single heaviest fish from any of the three days of competition will win the Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award and a new 2016 Toyota Tundra. The LEER Heavy Weight Award, a new LEER truck cap, will be given to the angler with the heaviest single-day weight from any one of the three days of the tournament.

 

Full Field:

Tracy Adams – Wilkesboro, North Carolina – FLW Tour

 

Adrian Avena – Vineland, New Jersey – FLW Tour

 

Jason Christie- Park Hill, Oklahoma – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Luke Clausen – Spokane, Washington – FLW Tour

 

Brandon Cobb – Greenwood, South Carolina – FLW Tour

 

Keith Combs – Huntington, Texas – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

John Cox – Debary, Florida – FLW Tour

 

Brent Ehrler – Redlands, California – 2015 TTBC champion

 

Edwin Evers – Talala, Oklahoma – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Shinichi Fukae – Palestine, Texas – FLW Tour

 

Anthony Gagliardi – Prosperity, South Carolina – FLW Tour

 

Greg Hackney – Gonzales, Louisiana – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Matthew Herren – Ashville, Alabama – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Randy Howell – Guntersville, Alabama – Exemption

 

Mike Iaconelli – Pittsgrove, New Jersey – Exemption

 

Alton Jones – Lorena, Texas – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Kelly Jordon – Flint, Texas – Exemption

 

Jordan Lee – Vinemont, Alabama – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Dave Lefebre – Erie, Pennsylvania – FLW Tour

 

Bill Lowen – Brookville, Indiana – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Justin Lucas – Guntersville, Alabama – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Aaron Martens – Leeds, Alabama – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Scott Martin – Clewiston, Florida – FLW Tour

 

Cody Meyer – Auburn, California – FLW Tour

 

Ish Monroe – Hughson, California – FLW Tour

 

Andy Morgan – Dayton, Tennessee – FLW Tour

 

Larry Nixon – Bee Branch, Arkansas – FLW Tour

 

Brandon Palaniuk – Hayden, Idaho – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Jacob Powroznik – Port Haywood, Virginia – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Dean Roja – Lake Havasu City, Arizona – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Terry Scroggins – San Mateo, Florida – Exemption

 

Brian Snowden – Reeds Spring, Missouri – Exemption

 

Gerald Swindle – Warrior, Alabama – Exemption

 

Peter Thliveros – St. Augustine, Florida – FLW Tour

 

Bryan Thrift – Shelby, North Carolina – FLW Tour

 

Kevin VanDam – Kalamazoo, Michigan – Exemption

 

Greg Vinson – Wetumpka, Alabama – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

Chris Zaldain –  San Jose, California – Bassmaster Elite Series

 

 

– See more at: http://www.toyotatexasfest.com/2016/04/07/toyota-texas-bass-classic-announces-2016-field/#sthash.QoVfVaxq.dpuf