NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (May 31, 2016) – Russell Cecil, of Willis, Texas, and Todd Castledine of Nacogdoches, Texas, won the Texas Team Trail Lucas Oil Team of the Year Award for a second time following a strong 2016 season. The anglers became the first ever two-time winners and will receive custom rings and paid entry fees for the 2017 TXTT season, courtesy of Lucas Oil.

The TXTT Team of the Year is awarded to the team with the most points accrued throughout the TXTT season, which includes four regular-season events and a championship event. During the 2016 season, Cecil and Castledine fished in all four regular-season events and the championship, racking up 1261 total points and winning over $10,000 over the course of the season.

“Todd and I have been fishing together since the Texas Team Trail started,” said Cecil. “We fish well together and have lots of trust in one another. If something isn’t working, we are not afraid to change the way we are fishing, we put egos aside to catch fish.”

Although the duo did not have a win this season, they did have a third-place finish and a strong showing in the championship, which awards double points. Going into the championship, the team sat in second place in the standings. The team’s 10th-place finish at the championship event pushed them past the leading team.

“The championship event on Lake Ray Roberts was huge for us,” said Cecil. “With the double point structure, our top-10 finish pushed us into first and sealed the title.”

The Texas Team Trail is designed for working men and women across the state Texas with budget-friendly entry fees and 100 percent payback.

“The Texas Tournament Trail is structured well and give anglers more chances to win money,” said Cecil. “The payouts are good, the attendance is great, and the way the tournaments are moved around the state provides a level playing field for everybody. I really enjoy fishing the Texas Tournament Trail and am excited about next year.”

For additional information, anglers are encouraged to call 210-788-4143 or check out the TXTT website at www.texasteamtrail.com. Site visitors can register for events, review the television schedule, get official Texas Team Trail gear, view results and learn more about what’s in store for 2017.

Texas Team Trail events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Lucas Oil, Evinrude, RAM, Mercury, Minn Kota, Triton Boats, Power-Pole, Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Stratos Boats, Lowrance, Navionics, Protect the Harvest, BoatU.S., General Tire, SuperClean, Garmin, Valley Fashions, T-H Marine, Atlas, G-Juice, Powertex Group.