Hey Guys this is a great event for our Service Members. Please do not reply or PM back to me, there is contact information at the bottom of the page. This would be a great event for TFF members to become a part of. If you go to Texasboatworld.com and click on tournament drop down you will see the fishing for freedom link, you can register there right now for the event.

Ladies and Gentlemen
Fishing for Freedom 2009
October 9th and 10th

CTMA is proud to present Fishing for Freedom 2009. Last year Fishing for Freedom was a huge success. We took over 190 veterans fishing, and gave away over $50,000 in cash and prizes.

October 9th Dinner will be at the Killeen Convention Center.

October 10th Bass Tournament a Lake Belton (BLORA)

Mark Your Calendar!!!!

More information to follow!!!

P.S. If you know of anyone interested in sponsoring this event
please have them contact myself. Thanks
Agenda for Friday the 9th of October
4:00 pm Doors to Killeen Convention Center Open
4:00-6:30 pm Sign in of boaters and non-boaters
4:00-7:30 pm Raffle ticket sales for G3 boat, Yamaha motor, Bear custom trailer
4:30-6:30 pm Boating and Fishing seminars-seminars are scheduled to be 25 minutes long and to be repeated four times so participants have the opportunity to attend more than one seminar. All seminars are free of charge.
Tentative seminar subjects:

David Poort of Humminbird on learning to read Humminbird side scan fish and dept finders

Mark Prentice of the USCG Auxillary on boating safety

Homer Humphries B.A.S.S. Pro on bass fishing

Tom Gergley of Sure-Life Products on keeping your catch alive and conservation
6:45 pm BBQ dinner 7:30 pm Evening program Guess Speaker is Forrest L. Wood, founder of Ranger Boats and a founding father of bass fishing 9:30 pm Adjourn
Agenda for Saturday the 10th of October

5:00 am Gates to BLORA are opened

5:00-6:30 am Participants put their boats in the water at any of the available ramps and make their way to tournament headquarters at BLORA

Safe Daylight Numbered start of boats

1:00 pm First flight of 25 boats to weigh in at BLORA

Every 15 minutes another flight of 25 boats arrive for weigh in with last flight due in no later than 2:45 pm.

3:30 pm Award first place Triton Boat, Mercury motor, custom trailer and additional prizes to top 20 teams

4:30 pm Adjourn
BLORA = Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area

Fishing for Freedom

News Release

For Immediate Release

First Place

New Triton boat powered by Mercury Motor Valued at $17,999.00



Fishing for Freedom 2009 has been scheduled for Saturday, October 10th 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 FREE BASS TOURNAMENT!

The 2009 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 200 hundred Bass Fishermen from across the state will volunteer to take a soldier fishing. Teams will be paired by randem assignment. The potential for a “full field” will place 200 boats and 400 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 10th 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 first of September. 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.

I can't wait

Don't wait guys this is the one tournament you will always won't to be a part of. It's special
Call now to be one of the boaters

Don't wait to sign up. We are short Boaters

Come on guys we still need about 125 boaters. We have soldiers signed up and no boaters to take them. Trust me its worth your time and effort trust me its a blast to fish with these guys. We have just over a month left for ya to sign up.

I am interested in this. However I am a football coach and it will be near impossible to have it happen. I think I will give it a shot. I need a little more information about places to stay and all that. Also I have never been to Belton, and have no idea what the fish will be doing. I won't ask for any help from any of you about what to use and depths, etc. unless I sign up.. If I am reading this correctly, it is a free tournament and all the winnings go to the vetrans. Is that correct. That would be the only way I would be very interested. My Dad is a retired Ltc, but I would rather take an Iraq vetran. I take Dad all the time. If anyone has any info about where to stay and if it is a "vetrans get the winnings" tournament, please let me know and I will see if I can arrange my football duties along with husband and father duties to take one of these very deserving men fishing.

PM SENT TO SLUMPBUSTER

I'm going to try and make this also.. My dad was in WWII and Korea...I love our Military. God bless them

Oh What if I can't make it down for friday. I'm a coach also and friday nights are busy

Not a problem just talk to Cliff Brown and get the information on launch time and location. He will email you your co-angler's email address and phone # so you all can talk and find out where you want to meet at. My boater did the same thing last year (showed on Sat) we talked and everything worked out.

Thanks for your support

PM'S sent

Just talked with Cliff and they are currently 40 boats short and still growing. You guys get signed up so he can sleep at night.
http://www.texasboatworld.com/custompage.asp?pg=fishingforfreedom

Im interested in this event. If I understand this correctly, I would be paired with a partner serving in the military,or a veteran of the armed forces. What would my entry fee be? Would I provide everything, such as rods,reels,tackle. I run an older Javelin bass boat in great shape, is their a year requirement, or can any boat be ok. I would really like to do my part, but need some more information, I am very familiar with the lake so my partner would be safe, and competitive. More info please. jfreebassman@hotmail.com

The web site has all the rules. No entry fee. First place new Triton Boat. You would be partnered with a soldier by randum draw. Great dinner and speakers, also free, Friday night.
http://www.texasboatworld.com/custompage.asp?pg=fffrules

Thanks. But I dont carry $100,000 liability insurance on my boat, anybody have any idea what it would cost for this one tournament, or where I could get insurance for one tournament. I fish Media and CAST tournaments but they dont require insurance. Like I said I want to get involved and do my part. Help please.

Call Bob at worldwide marine. I have insurance for my boat (1995) with 300,000 liability insurance for a little over $300 a year..
http://www.worldwidemarineins.com/

Please sign up..They are 40 boats short...I'm going down early saturday morning looks like..I'm glad to be apart of this. MY boat is a 1995 so don't worry what your boat looks like. They just want to fish....Help our men and women who fight for our freedom......

can i take a vet i know

I am afraid not. It is a random draw.

Still need 98 Boaters guys.

We are getting really close to the Tournament date and we are still short on boaters. We have some really great Soldiers signed up and no one to take them out. We need all the help we can get.

I signed up today.

guys they are ineed about 70 boaters for this tournament.
If you can spare this weekend please do so.

This is the one tournament you don't won't to miss. They still need boaters

Hey guys you have done a great job of giving up your weekends and time to spend with a soldier, but we do still need around 70 boater.

So is it 70 short or only 70 signed up?

I am in for sure now. putting in the leave chit now.

I have never even seen the lake can anybody help me out as to where to go to get my Hero on some fish?????

They have 135 boaters signed up but still need 70 more boaters..

Thanks. I fly in from Vegas to Houston at 9pm the night before. I'll have to drive in very early Sat morning so will miss Friday but will let Cliff know, get hooked up with the soldier prior to, etc. Would hate to see any registered soldier not have a ride on this one......

Hey guys, To take all the soldiers fishing we will need 71 more boaters. There are 4 on the stand by list. So we have a total of 204 soldiers and only 134 boater at this point. So ya we are hurting at this point with only a few short weeks left. Please try to get the word out.

Thanks for all your support

First place is a Triton Boat and there is NO entry fee.

+1...

Any DFW boaters attending this ?..

Hey Rockwall_Ranger,

Did you get my PM?

Chirs

got it...PM back at ya....

Yes,I'll be going?

May have to go super early Sat. morning.

BASSATTACKER,

How many boats do you need ?..

Also, PM sent

we need 71 boaters to take all the soldiers that are signed up so far.

Thanks

Looking for my Insurance policy now, to complete my registration.

I will be there..

Bennie

Registration Done...

I'll be there all the way from Augusta Ga. I can't wait.

I wish I was going to be in town. I don't bass fish a lot anymore, but used to do okay back in the day. Unfortunately, that's the wekend of the father/son coastal trip. Hope it goes well!

I'm going down saturday for sure and hopfully friday to meet my hero....

Hopefully, more boaters will sign up. I will be leaving Friday morning/afternoon from Rockwall if any one want's to follow or I will follow them.

they still need 45 more boaters with 21 more on the waiting list...
They need more boaters..Come help a hero out...
Let's not leave one hero out..

So, they really need 66 more boaters ?....

There goal is 200 and if they can get the extra that would be great.. I think it was for the first 200 who signed up and they have a waiting list so if someone can't make it that day..

I just talked to my soldier partner. He is stoked..Actually, I am stoked.. Now, I need to do my part and study the lake and try and get down to pre-fish. And make this a great day in a Soldiers life...

They still need boaters.

I'm right there with you..I'm looking forward to this. Just hoping to catch some fish...

Coach,

Hopefully we can meet up.. I have yet to book a place to stay. I need to get that done or I will be sleeping in the back of my Truck..LOL..

I do not care if I catch a fish. I want my Soldier partner to catch a good sack..

Yea I need to find a place myself... I'm like you I could care less If i catch a fish as long my partner catches some and who knows maybe he will win something..
Also I would love to meet up..That would be great..

Just signed up...never been to Belton....really do not care if i catch one or not...i would love to have my co-angler catch'em

This will be fun and a honor

Great Job !!! Busta...

I myself have never been.

+10000 on "This will be fun and an honor"

Alot of Soldiers, would really like to go fishing. They are one of the main reasons we can go fishing when we want to.

Ok Guys we are getting there, we have 178 boaters. So we need 21 more boaters to take the 200 soldiers fishing. Now, we do have 28 soldiers on the stand-by list also. Lets get your neighbors and buddies that own boats on board for this great chance to take a soldier fishing and possibly win a new boat and motor package.

Thank you all for all your time and effort

I am so ready to fish with my soldier...Looking foward to it...keep up the good work

I contacted my partner today...looking forward to hanging out with those guys and sticking a few as well!

See you there bud.

You planning on pre-fishing?

Just signed up. Won't be there till Saturday morning but lookig forward to this event.

Good Job!!.. It will be fun...Good to see more folks from the DFW and surrounding area sign up.

Rockwall_Ranger,


Do you happen to have the GPS coordinates of where the launch site is?

hahahah, Me have GPS cordinates... I sent you a PM..

Bennie

Here are the coordinates I got off Goggle Earth.

Lat - 31'6'57.66N
Log - 97'30'57.93W

Can anyone out there tell me if this is BLORA on Belton?

SkeeterHawk, the GPS coordinates for BLORA are:
Lat: - 31 08'15.70 N
Long - 97 32'31.03 W

Thanks Lee

I might try to get out there sometime prior...you're coming down Friday, I assume?

They need 36 more boaters to reach the goal of 200 Soldiers and for the 29 on the stand-by list..

Let's take a Soldier fishing and help them out North Texas.......

UPDATE!!!!! We need only 7 more boaters to take the 200 soldiers out on t-day. Now if we have more boaters we will exceed the 200 number and take every soldier that we can. there are 29 soldiers on the stand by list.

We now have over 200 boaters. Great Job!!!

Woohooo !!!!!

Great Job!

I wished I could make it, because Belton is a blast this time of year.

Looking forward to this event, proud to be part of it

Debra

Did this last year on Lake Fork.was a blast.....very rewarding..good luck to all

Looks like I need to bring my AAAAAAA+++++ game. I am looking forward to this too.

It's gonna be a great time !!!!..

Didn't know I would be fishing against Pros. Oh well as long as my partner is catching fish, I will be happy. Still gonna be a great time.

I'm headed down in the A.M. to do some sight seeing.

Never been on the lake so I need to go down to see what the lake looks like from a boat.

this is the great thing about this tournament. It is all about the Soldiers.

I am actually excited about fishing against the pros.

See you there.. Don't you dare miss it !!!....LOL

I can be a pro for 500.00 just join the PAA. OR fish the FLW and you are considered a pro. we had pros last year and and a amateur won it. so don't let that get ya down. we are all great anglers and can catch the heck out of some fish. The average joe just don't have 3500.00 to fish the FLW tour. But I bet if we did we would tear them up.

BASSATTACKER,

that was nice of you. I have never been included in the great Angler list...lol.. this is the size of the fish I catch. It took me about 10 minutes to get he/she in the boat.



I held it close to the cell phone camera to make it look bigger.

Well if you would stay out of the river you would catch bigger fish.

I'll be there with bells on. Just going to have to hunt and seek the day of the tournament. Haven't the ways or means to go early and prefish. You know a blind hog will find an acorn once in a while. I hope I am that blind hog. lol

That looks about the size of my fish. lol

That looks about the size of my fish. lol

Belton Lake has alot of that size fish, good luck to all anglers this weekend.

I found out last Saturday..I need to find the hogs...The ones I caught Saturday where smaller than the one in the picture...lol

Great news. Fishing For Freedom has 230 boaters. All service men and women have a partner for the tournament. A big thanks go out to all boaters for signing up for this event. I know you will have a great time.

Hey Leep when you going down?

I am going down around noon Friday. Have a friend that has a cabin in Cooperas Cove and he is going to let me stay there.