“In the past few years we’ve used the local sports complex for the registration and meeting, but this year they have baseball and softball registration going on so we have moved registration to Central Alabama Community College,” said Billy Benedetti, tournament director.

Registration will be held at the college, 1675 Cherokee Road in Alexander City, Ala., from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, with the tournament meeting to follow at 7 p.m., Benedetti said.

“We are expecting a really strong entry for this tournament and for the next two tournaments on Lay Lake and Lake Jordan because of the dates and tournament locations,” he said. “In addition the BASS Southern Open is this week and this weekend on Lake Toho and we’ve got a couple of anglers fishing the Open. If they don’t make the cut, they will try to get back and fish the BWS tournament on Saturday.”

Benedetti noted that the payback is based on the number of boats entered.

“If we get 100 boats, first place will pay $5,000 on the boater side and $2,500 on the co-angler side. We are close to 100 boats now. We just need a few more boaters and co-anglers to reach that 100-boat mark.”

And, he noted, if a BWS tournament reaches 200 boats, the winner could take home $6,000 plus contingencies and the co-angler could win $3,000 and contingencies.

“The goal for these anglers is to make it all the way to the National Championship and on to the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. A win in the BWS National Championship would bring the pro angler $100,000 and a win for a co-angler would mean $50,000, Benedetti. Said.

Fishing is expected to be good this Saturday, with the spotted bass biting very well, he said.

“From the anglers I’ve spoken to, lots of fish including a few decent sized fish are are being caught,” he said.

Bassmaster Weekend Series – Alabama South Division

Sat, Feb 2, 2013

Lake Martin

Wind Creek State Park

Call Billy Benedetti 256-230-5632

www.abaproam.com