“The slot is for fish under 16 inches and over 24 inches, which made it interesting last year, said Andrew Marks, Marketing Director for Berkley. “The first day last year we did not have a fish weighed in over 24 inches, then on the last day we had five of the bigger fish weighed. Those are the guys who are swinging for the fences.”

“The Lake Fork event has always been an extremely successful event,” Marks said. “Anglers have an excellent opportunity to cash in on a single fish in a fun and exciting tournament on a premier bass fishing lake.”

And, he noted, Sebile baits are now legal to use in these events, along with Johnson and Abu Garcia baits from years ago, which broadens the type of fishing that can be done.

“It opens up their tackle box,” Marks said. All Berkley baits – 7-inch plastic worms, Chigger Craws, and others – are also legal in the tournament.

“The rules are that a fisherman must use only a Berkley, Sebile, Johnson or Abu Garcia bait. You can’t take a competitive brand bait and add a Berkley trailer,” he said.
Spinner bait frames, jig heads, buzz bait frames, and other lures may be used only when broken down to terminal tackle where all skirts and plastics have been removed and replaced with only Berkley products. All terminal tackle must include a “functional” full length Berkley skirt and/or Berkley soft plastic. Non-Berkley skirts and soft plastic trailers are not permitted.

“We want to expose people to all the different products we have and that is the fun part. It’s a real challenge to someone who uses a competitor’s bait and is comfortable with it,” Marks said.

The Berkley Big Bass Challenges do not award points for the best stringer or limit for the day. The way the tournament works is that there are six weigh-in hours each day and anglers must decided if the fish they have caught has a chance to be the top fish of that hour before bringing it in. The best fish of the hour may be a 6-pounder or it may be a 2-pounder – it all depends who who brings in the top fish of the hour.

“You have to decide which weigh-in period you have the best opportunity in. As long as you have one of the top five for that hour you get a check – from $1,000 for the heaviest fish down to $75 for the smallest of the hour, which pays back your entry fee,” Marks said.

A new Skeeter ZX 200/Yamaha SHO valued at approximately $38,000 will be awarded to the heaviest fish over 24 inches and a new Skeeter ZX 190/Yamaha 150 Max valued at approximately $32,000 will be awarded to the heaviest fish that measures less than 16 inches.

The Berkley Experience trailer partnered with Lake Fork Marina and will be on site from 12 noon Friday until the final weigh-in and awards on Sunday. The trailer features interactive presentation screens, educational seminars on line selection, reel maintenance and selecting the right bait, a knot tying station and competition, bait demonstration tanks and many other fun elements designed to help the anglers Catch More Fish.

The Experience Team and Pro Staff will also be on hand to help anglers with their selection of Berkley and Sebile baits, if anglers have not already stocked up for the tournament.

Marks said fishing should be good on Lake Fork for the tournament.

“Fishing has been really good. There was a McDonald’s Big Bass Tournament three weeks ago and they had quite a few big fish weighed in. We are hearing the bite is really good,” he said.

“Every level of angler can enjoy this tournament,” Marks added. “The format is fun and strategy plays a vital role in determining each winner. With the addition of Sebile baits to the approved baits anglers now have a wider variety of options when selecting fishing techniques.”

 

Berkley/Sebile Big Bass Challenge Lake Fork

Oct. 15-16, 2011

Lake Fork

Lake Fork Marina and Motel

www.berkley-fishing.com