Like thoroughbreds racehorses restrained by a starting gate, contenders in the 2007 Women’s Bassmaster Tour (WBT) Championship energized a room full of outdoor writers Thursday night at the “Meet the Media” reception hosted by Academy Sports and Outdoors. Top press and media names rotated around the room with television cameras, tape records and note pads interviewing anxious anglers.
Mustang pro, Pam Martin Wells of Georgia, who qualified in 2nd place, ‘said she’s confident that she has done everything she could possibly do to prepare for this Super Bowl of bass fishing. “It’s just wait and see, now. I have my game plan, I’m prepared, and I know what I will be doing. All I can do now is wait until take off then make adjustments depending on wind, weather, etc.”
Martin-Wells is presently considered the leading all-time money winner in women’s pro fishing for her impressive achievements and wins on prior women’s tours Bass’n Gal and Women’s Bass Fishing Associations. She defended her reputation by not only winning the first ever WBT “preview event” but grabbed the gold by winning the first ever Championship, also. The 2008 WBT Angler of the Year earns a berth in the Bassmaster Classic.
Weather promises to be a huge factor with Day 1’s high temperature forecasted to be a frigid high of 45 degrees, winds ENE at 10-15 and a fifty per-cent chance of rain. Cold, windy weather typically slows the bite.
“I’m ready,” said “Diana Clark,” another top Mustang contender who qualified in 8th place for this year’s 2007 championship (held in 2008.) “I’ve done everything I know to do,” said Clark. Asked about the weather factor, she said. “I have a good game plan but when the weather gets bad, being able to adjust is key to winning.”
Both Martin-Wells and Clark shared almost identical, which were actually shared by all contenders the night before competition begins.
The WBT championship kicks off with 7:00 AM daily launches at South Cove State Park, Seneca, SC. Day one weigh-in begins at 2:15 at South Cove State Park Thursday with Friday and Saturday weigh-ins being held on the Bassmaster Classic stage at the BI-LO Center in Greenville.
WBT Pros and their co-anglers will be vying for a total tournament purse of $220,000 with the winner taking home a $50,000Triton / Mercury boat. The 2008 WBT kicks off at Lake Lewisville, TX with competition dates of April 10-12. Click here to get more information on the Bassmaster Classic, WBT and / or joining BASS.
Visit us for daily postings right here on the Mustang Survival Blog provided by women’s pro angler, Kathy Magers of TX – our roving reporter at the Bassmaster classic and Women’s World Championship.
