ATHENS, Ala. – Friday, December 22, 2012, American Bass Anglers is announcing a major change to the registration of the American Fishing Tour National Championship. The top 250 national point holders will be invited to compete in the National Championship as a boater and be guaranteed boater status. The championship will be held October 23-25, 2013 on Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia.

American Fishing Tour anglers qualify for the National Championship by competing in divisional events all over the US.  Anglers earn points within both their local division and nationally. Divisional points are just as important as national points. The top point holder from each division is invited to the Angler of the Year Final Round event to compete for a fully rigged TR21XS Triton/Mercury package. National standings determine who will qualify for a slot in the National Championship, and, starting this year, will also determine who will be eligible for guaranteed boater status.

A full field of 500 will be invited to the championship, and anglers will be linked together based on point standings as boaters and non-boaters. Boaters will be requested to register with a divisional non-boater to insure both anglers have a slot. To learn more read the 2013 rules posted at www.americanbassangles.com/rules.php

ABA anglers from across the country will be competing for cash, Triton and Mercury Boat Packages, and special Competition Team awards.  The National Champion will be awarded a Triton Boats 21XS with a Mercury Marine 200 Pro XS rigged with Carlisle Tires with Black Rock Wheels, ODDESSEY batteries, MotorGuide Trolling Motor, Royal Purple Oil and BioBorEB. Cash will be paid to 75 places based on a full field of 500 contestants.

Special recognition will be given to the top five point leaders of each Competition Team and service branches. Members will fight it out to be in the top five of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Non-Military Members (Eagle), Lady Anglers and the Homeland Security Teams at the championship.

All National Championship contestants will also qualify for a drawing for a new Triton Boats 19XS with a Mercury Marine 150 Pro XS rigged with Carlisle Tires with Black Rock Wheels, ODDESSEY batteries, MotorGuide Trolling Motor, Royal Purple Oil and BioBorEB. All the anglers have to do is be a registered contestant and be present at the championship drawing.

Registration for the 2013 National Championship will begin on July 1, 2013 at 8:00 am CST. To learn more about the American Fishing Tour and both the National Championship and the Angler of the Year Final Round, visitwww.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.

It is easy to get started on your path to the American Fishing Tour National Championship and Angler of the Year Final Round.  Find a local division, go over the schedule and just show up, register and go fishing! Whether you own a boat or not it’s a great way to meet and compete against other weekend anglers just like yourself.

About American Bass Anglers – The American Fishing Tour provides weekend anglers close to home, low cost weekend bass tournaments with a path to a National Championship. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com