Frisco, TX (April 7, 2016) – As part of the 2016 Toyota Texas Fest presented by JBL (TTF), the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) will feature 36 of the world’s best professional anglers from May 20 – 22, 2016 at Lake Ray Roberts in Denton, TX. The field for the tenth anniversary of TTBC is highlighted by defending champion Brent Ehrler and 2016 Bassmaster Classic champion Edwin Evers.

The field is made up of the top 15 anglers from the 2015 Angler of the Year (AOY) points from both the FLW Tour and Bassmaster Elite Series as well as six exemptions. Other notable anglers include 2015 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens, 2015 FLW Angler of the Year Scott Martin and Keith Combs, three-time TTBC champion.

 

“Over the past nine years the priority of the TTBC has been to promote fishing, outdoor recreation and the conservation efforts of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,” said Lenny Francoeur, tournament director. “Each year we host the world’s best anglers on Texas’ premier fisheries, and we are excited to see these anglers take on Lake Ray Roberts, one of the Texas’ top fisheries.”

 

The overall field is highlighted by a combined 16 Angler of the Year titles, including eight Bassmaster AOYs and eight FLW Tour AOYs; 19 major championship titles, including eight TTBCs, six Bassmaster Classics, and five Forrest Wood Cups; 179 tour wins and over $60 million in career earnings. The field will also include exemptions Randy Howell, Mike Iaconelli, Kelly Jordon, Terry Scroggins, Gerald Swindle and 2015 TTBC champion Brent Ehrler.

 

“Winning the Toyota Texas Bass Classic last year was one of the biggest achievements in my career,” said Ehrler.  “The TTBC is the most difficult event to qualify for in professional bass fishing, and to raise the trophy on the final day, you had to have beaten the most elite group of anglers on the planet. I am excited to get back to Texas and defend my title on Lake Ray Roberts in May.”

 

Along with the coveted title of TTBC champion, the anglers will be competing for two additional awards. The angler who catches the single heaviest fish from any of the three days of competition will win the Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award and a new 2016 Toyota Tundra. The LEER Heavy Weight Award, a new LEER truck cap, will be given to the angler with the heaviest single-day weight from any one of the three days of the tournament.

 

2016 Toyota Texas Bass Classic – Final Field

 

Name                                    Hometown                                         Qualified Through

Tracy Adams                      Wilkesboro, North Carolina              FLW Tour

Adrian Avena                      Vineland, New Jersey                      FLW Tour

Jason Christie                     Park Hill, Oklahoma                         Bassmaster Elite Series

Luke Clausen                      Spokane, Washington                     FLW Tour

Keith Combs                       Huntington, Texas                            Bassmaster Elite Series

John Cox                             Debary, Florida                                FLW Tour

Brent Ehrler                         Redlands, California                        2015 TTBC champion

Edwin Evers                        Talala, Oklahoma                             Bassmaster Elite Series

Shinichi Fukae                     Palestine, Texas                              FLW Tour

Anthony Gagliardi                Prosperity, South Carolina               FLW Tour

Greg Hackney                     Gonzales, Louisiana                         Bassmaster Elite Series

Matthew Herren                  Ashville, Alabama                             Bassmaster Elite Series

Randy Howell                     Guntersville, Alabama                       Exemption

Mike Iaconelli                      Pittsgrove, New Jersey                     Exemption

Alton Jones                         Lorena, Texas                                   Bassmaster Elite Series

Kelly Jordon                        Flint, Texas                                       Exemption

Jordan Lee                          Vinemont, Alabama                          Bassmaster Elite Series

Dave Lefebre                      Erie, Pennsylvania                            FLW Tour

Bill Lowen                           Brookville, Indiana                             Bassmaster Elite Series

Justin Lucas                       Guntersville, Alabama                       Bassmaster Elite Series

Aaron Martens                   Leeds, Alabama                                 Bassmaster Elite Series

Scott Martin                        Clewiston, Florida                              FLW Tour

Cody Meyer                        Auburn, California                             FLW Tour

Ish Monroe                         Hughson, California                           FLW Tour

Andy Morgan                      Dayton, Tennessee                           FLW Tour

Larry Nixon                         Bee Branch, Arkansas                      FLW Tour

Brandon Palaniuk               Hayden, Idaho                                   Bassmaster Elite Series

Jacob Powroznik                Port Haywood, Virginia                      Bassmaster Elite Series

Dean Rojas                        Lake Havasu City, Arizona                 Bassmaster Elite Series

Terry Scroggins                  San Mateo, Florida                            Exemption

Wesley Strader                  Spring City, Tennessee                      FLW Tour

Gerald Swindle                  Warrior, Alabama                               Exemption

Peter Thliveros                   St. Augustine, Florida                        FLW Tour

Bryan Thrift                        Shelby, North Carolina                       FLW Tour

Greg Vinson                       Wetumpka, Alabama                         Bassmaster Elite Series

Chris Zaldain                      San Jose, California                          Bassmaster Elite Series

 

CONTACT:

Kevin Wyman, Event Coordinator

(713) 580-3682 or [email protected]

Lenny Francoeur, Event Director

(704) 746-4754 or [email protected]

 

About the Event: The Toyota Texas Fest is a three-day outdoor festival that will take place May 20-22, 2016, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The mission of the event is to raise awareness and funding for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. One of the festival’s main events is the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), which is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2016. TTBC is a world-class bass fishing tournament featuring the top 36 bass anglers competing on Lake Ray Roberts (Denton, Texas). Additionally, the festival will include exceptional entertainment and a wide variety of outdoor programming for the entire family. Activities include games and interactive displays at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Adventures Area and an outdoor consumer expo featuring the latest products and services from event partners. Throughout each day, country music’s biggest stars including Lee Brice, Kip Moore, Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy and more, will entertain thousands of fans.

 

Our Cause: Proceeds benefit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. For more information click here to visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife web site. www.tpwd.state.tx.us

 

Current sponsors: Toyota, JBL by Harman, Bass Pro Shops, NITRO Boats, GEICO, Anheuser-Busch, Embassy Suites Dallas Frisco Hotel Convention Center & Spa, Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For additional information, visit ToyotaTexasFest.com or call 1-866-907-0143. “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for tournament news, updates, contests and more.