Tom’s Marine Opens Season On Cherokee With Eye Towards New Elite Series In 2014
Randy Brown & Greg Burrell won the Championship in 2012
The Tom’s Marine Team Trail kicks off the 2013 season on Cherokee Lake Saturday with a new wrinkle that is expected to provide additional incentive to the anglers.
“I truly believe if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” said Richard McMaster, tournament director for the highly successful tournament series, “but next year will be the 10th anniversary for the trail and we are going to launch a new series in 2014 called the Tom’s Marine Elite Series. And the only way you will be able to qualify for the Elite Series will be through the points standings in the 2013 Tom’s Marine Team Trail.”
The new series, a step above the established Tom’s Marine Team Trail, is based somewhat on the format for the Bassmaster Opens, where top anglers in the Opens can qualify to move up to the BASS Elite Series.
“Hopefully, the Elite Series will complement the Tom’s Marine Team Trail,” McMaster said. “It’s still in the process of being worked out, but we will have a maximum field of 50 boats in the Elite Series, based on the top 30 percent in the points for 2013.”
McMaster said the new wrinkle was developed to get more anglers to fish the trail and weigh in their fish.
“People have always said, ‘Let’s make the points mean something more than first place or the championship.’ Second place on back had nothing to fish for. Now they are going to.”
The new series will have fewer places paid back, but the payouts will be larger to reward the anglers who do well, he said.
As for the 2013 season opener Saturday on Cherokee, McMaster said he is expecting 130 to 150 boats.
“Fishing on Cherokee has been really good. There have been several tournaments in the last few weeks and it has taken 18 to 20 pounds to win about every weekend.”
McMaster said most of the fish being caught on Cherokee are coming on small crankbaits, jigs and jerkbaits.
“There are a few fish being picked up on Rat-L-Traps, but the water temperatures are still in the mid to low 40s. What is making the crankbait bite so good is the floods at the end of January and in February The water is still pretty dingy. It has a lot of color and the fish are still shallow, especially largemouths.”
Entry fee for the Tom’s Marine tournaments is $100, plus a $10 lunker fee. Payout is at least 90 percent of entry fees, paid one for every six entries at the ramp.
The trail offers most major boat bonus programs, including the Ranger Cup, Triton Gold, Stratos 2X, Skeeter Real Money, Phoenix First Flight, plus other incentives including the Bass Pro Shops Tournament Rewards, Motor Mate and the PAA Pay Day Program.
In addition, anglers who own a 2010 or newer truck bought new from Ramey Ford will get a $500 bonus for winning a regular season tournament.
“We are looking forward to another great season of tournament fishing this year,” he said. We’ve been doing this for nine years and we are looking forward to our 10th anniversary next year. I can’t say enough about Tom’s Marine and Ranger Boats. Without them this trail would not exist. Tom’s Marine is a home town dealership that does a lot for the local fishermen.”
Tom’s Marine Team Trail 2013
Sat, Mar 9, 2013
Cherokee Lake
25 E Bridge Access
Call Richard McMaster 423-748-3240
