Johnson and Evinrude professional angler Ron Shuffield of Bismarck, Arkansas, breezed past the competition in the performance and boating skills division of the recent inaugural Illinois BASS Quest tournament, sponsored by World Championship Fishing.
This was the first-ever performance and boating skills competition sanctioned by the B.A.S.S. Shuffield won the category in his Johnson outboard-powered Triton TR-21 bass boat.
“We competed against each other demonstrating the tournament boating skills pro anglers use in every tournament,” said Shuffield. “To win, you need an agile fishing platform and a reliable, powerful outboard. My Triton TR-21 and Johnson 225 outboard are a winning combination.”
Competitors were timed as they navigated a 4000-foot course with two 1000-foot straightaways, two 360-degree turns and a serpentine obstacle course. The course was designed to test their ability to get on plane quickly and maintain safe operating speeds in conditions simulating typical tournament fishing conditions. Shuffield set the course record of 1:13:82 in his first run.
The performance competition adds a new element to bass fishing tournaments, according to Helen Sevier, B.A.S.S. Chief Executive Officer. “We think this is an element tournament fishing has been missing for years,” said Sevier.
By: Randy Vance
