“It’s really all about being there for a good cause, supporting the Ryan Newman Foundation, and for the fellowship with the other fishermen,” said Hite, who also owns two B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year titles. “Ryan is also a good friend and I am glad to do anything I can to help out a friend and help with a charity”

The tournament is strategically scheduled, Hite noted, after both the B.A.S.S. and FLW seasons are over and NASCAR has run it’s last race of the year, so pro anglers and race drivers can participate.

The seventh annual charity fishing tournament will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, out of Blythe Landing on Lake Norman near Charlotte, N.C.

Emcees for the weigh-in are 4-time Bassmaster Champion and 7-time Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam and Mark Zola, Elite Series host and star of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show. The weigh-in will be trailered and golf carts will be provided to get anglers to the stage in order to not jeopardize the safety of the fish.

Registration is $200 per team. Two Outback Steakhouse Boat Ramp dinner tickets are included in the registration fee. Fisherman may also enter a Big Fish Contest for $50 per team. The maximum number of boats allowed is 350. Register online at www.ryannewmanfoundation.org/events.

Guests at the weigh-in and vendor area can purchase tickets for the steak/chicken plate for $15. Each boat ramp dinner ticket purchase can be redeemed the day of the event (only) for a complimentary signed copy of Pit Road Pets, NASCAR Stars and Their Pets.

The grand prize is a 2012 Nitro Z9 boat equipped with a motor and electronics. Other prizes include cash awards, trolling motors, GPS systems, depth finders, rod and reel combos, gift cards and more, valued at over $60,000. The top 12 spots will be paid, with the 13th as a consolation prize. Three additional $500 prizes will be awarded for top husband and wife, senior citizen and adult/child teams.

Fisherman may also enter a Big Fish Contest for $50 per team. The maximum number of boats allowed is 350. Register online at www.ryannewmanfoundation.org/events.

The 2011 event was the largest tournament to date with 197 boats registered to compete for the top honors. Last year’s tournament and charity dinner raised $333,000 for humane efforts. Earlier this year the Ryan Newman Foundation announced $560,000 in grants have been awarded to 142 organizations involved in spay/neuter and animal rescue across the United States for calendar year 2012. In addition to the animal welfare grants, donations were made to conservation efforts and the Rich Vogler Scholarship Fund, which is near and dear to Ryan’s heart. Ryan was a recipient of the scholarship and committed the Foundation to helping in the future fund the scholarship which encourages members of the racing community to further their education, from university to vocational training, or for special needs education.

Fishing success on Lake Norman this time of year depends on the weather, Hite said.

“It could be tough fishing. It could be 20 degrees at takeoff and 70 degrees at weigh-in, but there will be a lot of fish caught. It’s just going to be a matter of who catches a big fish or two. There are a lot of keeper fish to be caught, but winning will be a matter of catching a couple of 4- or 5-pounders.”

 

 

2012 Ryan Newman Foundation Bass Tournament

Sat, Dec 8, 2012

Lake Norman

Blythe Landing

http://www.ryannewmanfoundation.org/fishing-tournament

[email protected]