Fishing for Freedom 2008 has been scheduled for Saturday, October 4th on Lake Belton in Central Texas!

The Central Texas Marine Dealers, Inc. in cooperation with the United States Army MWR at Fort Hood, Texas will host our returning Active Duty Heroes in addition to retired Military for all branches of service in a MFREE BASS TOURNAMENT!

The 2008 Fishing for Freedom Event will be headquartered out of the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) on Fort Hood. According to Cliff Brown, Owner / General Manager of Texas Boat World in Killeen, "Fishing for Freedom is one way that our community may say thanks to those who have and continue to put their lives on the line for our country. Our desire is to offer a guided fishing experience to every interested soldier." Rick Smith, President of the Central Texas Marine Dealers, Inc. and Owner / General Manager of Marine Outlet in Temple said, "The only thing a soldier needs to participate is the desire." Texas Bass Fishermen along with community, state and national sponsors will provide the resources.

Up to 300 hundred Bass Fishermen from across the state will volunteer to take a soldier fishing. Teams will be paired by drawing on Friday, October 3rd during a special Pre-Tournament Meeting and Dinner Banquet. The potential for a "full field" will place 300 boats and 600 fishermen on Lake Belton during the Fishing for Freedom event!

Each soldier will fish with a seasoned bass angler volunteer who will provide the boat, fuel and also fishing equipment if necessary. Tournament fishing will begin on Saturday, October 4th at "Safe Light" as determined by the tournament director. Due to the large number of entries expected for this tournament, teams will be placed in �flights� and depart the tournament site to head to their fishing location one-at-a-time based on the number drawn.

The Official Fishing for Freedom Entry publication is set to be available by mid-August. There are still sponsorship opportunities available in support of this Fishing for Freedom event.

For information contact:
Cliff Brown, Texas Boat World 254-699-9151, cbrown@texasboatworld.com
Rick Smith, Marine Outlet, 254-773-9931, rick@marineoutlet.com

http://www.texasboatworld.com/custompage.asp?pg=fishingforfreedom

They are still in need of boaters. We'll be down for the event. If you can make it, give Cliff or Rick a call.

Lane and I are already committed and are taking a soldier in our boat. We also donated the CATCH & RELEASE for all fishermen several moths ago. We met Cliff at a Bass Champs tournament this Spring and have become very good friend with him and his wife. They are a class act and have a fabulous dealership and repair service department. You should see the unique keel guard he can put on your boat, resembling sray on bed liners. I have beached our Triton on many rock shorelines now and there are zero blemishes.

This is certainly for a good cause and I know he still needs volunteer boaters.

A fringe benefit, is that JP Greenson and his SIGNIFICANT OTHER (Elizabeth) will also be there. Our good friends from the Bass Fishing Resource, Glenn and Kim May from Seattle, Washington are also attending.

The winning boat wins a soldier a Triton boat. How good would that make you feel!!!!!!

I am signed up. Just verified this morning.

Still neeeding boaters. Come on down

What if you can make the tournament but will not to be able to attend the Friday meeting. That is the only thing that is holding me back.

Call 1 of the dealers sponsoring and talk to them about it they would like to have more boats and it's a big event at least the last 1 was lots of fun.

Clifford Brown called me and said he was having a problem posting a reply to this question, so please call him at 254-699-9151 and he will answer this question or any other questions anyone may have.

Do you need more boats...will try to get there if needed...fished the one at Fork last week

Talked to Cliff Brown today and they still need boats

Also talked with Cliff today and he informed me it is ok to miss the Friday meeting (just give him a call). I fished this 2 years ago on Belton and it was an amazing experience to see how much people come together to show our great appreciation to all the soldiers. If you haven�t done it, you need to. The excitement I saw in the soldier I fished with will stay with me for a life time. THEY ALL DESERVE IT.

Wish I could be there to support this JP. Maybe time time around, sounds like a bunch of fun

I thought about doing this, kinda late now but I have my own boat... will I get a seasoned person without a boat? That is my major problem around here, I dont know where to fish on the lake! lol

Looks to be a good time.

Jeff

well i think i might be going to do this with the Texas bass team. we shall see.

While there may be an upcoming 2009 version - this one was held in 2008. Ya might be a little late for weigh-in.