Top 36 anglers in the world to compete at Lake Ray Roberts
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
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.
By: Kevin Wymen, Octagon
