FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Observer, Pro-Am Opportunities Available at Lake Tawakoni
For PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series

GARLAND, Texas (Aug. 18, 2010) - If you've ever wanted to figure out how to crack the late summer code on Lake Tawakoni, there's no better opportunity than to be a PAA Member Observer during the PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix.
Some of the top professional anglers in the country will be competing Sept. 9-11 in the third PAA Tournament Series event of the season. This event will determine the group of 15 PAA anglers who qualify, based on points standings, for the Toyota Texas Bass Classic scheduled in October.
Competition will be fierce to earn one of the remaining TTBC berths for the slugfest less than a month later at Lake Conroe.
Among the pros scheduled to attend are Harold Allen, Todd Faircloth, Tommy Martin, Zell Rowland and Takahiro Omori of Texas; Bradley Hallman, Terry Butcher and 2010 PAA Tournament Series champions Tommy Biffle and Edwin Evers of Oklahoma; John Crews and Woo Daves of Virginia, Paul Elias and Pete
Ponds of Mississippi; Anthony Gagliardi and Casey Ashley of South Carolina;Dave Lefebre of Pennsylvania; Dave Wolak of North Carolina, and many more.

Member Observers must be at least a PAA General Member, which is $50.
Observer entry fee is $50, which entitles the Observer to participate up to all three days. Observers do not fish but in addition to the valuable experience of learning tactics and strategies of the pros, Observers who participate the first two days will be eligible for a shared-weight competition for Bass Pro Shops gift cards and prizes.

Additionally, the first 24 Member Observers who register are confirmed for Saturday's final day with the top 30 Tournament Series finalists. Registered Observers after those are wait-listed for the final day.

Pete Hickey of Morristown, Tenn., served as an Observer during the first PAA Tournament Series event of the season and enjoyed the experience so much he registered for the entire season.

"I figured if I hired a guide to learn about fishing then I'd get just one day in a boat with one guy," Hickey said. "But this allows me to have multiple days on different lakes with a different professional angler each day. That's pretty hard to beat for the cost. I've learned a lot already and look forward to more days on the water with the pros to learn more."

Early registration is requested for planning purposes. Observers also may sign up Sept. 8 during Official Registration at Bass Pro Shops in Garland.

Member Observer information may be found at
http://fishpaa.com/tournaments/observer-information/


Tournament Series Pro-Am

Although official Member Observers cannot fish in the Tournament Series,there will be unique opportunities to fish with the pros.

The PAA Tournament Series Pro-Am will be a small event, Sept. 11 on Lake Hubbard near Garland, open to amateur anglers who will be paired with a pro.
Contestants will launch and return to the Garland Bass Pro Shops location with their pro, where they will be treated to a luncheon courtesy of the PAA prior to an awards ceremony on stage.

Early registration is required for planning purposes. Pro-Am participants must check in Sept. 8 during Official Registration at Bass Pro Shops in Garland.


Observers who participate on Days 1 and 2 will receive priority entry, but registration as an Observer is not required to participate in the Pro-Am.
The Pro-Am participants will not observe on Saturday in the Tournament Series final day.

Pro-Am teams will use the "Catch, Weigh, Release" paper tournament format popularized by the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. Anglers will police themselves and keep track of the weight in their respective boats, using
certified/calibrated Boga Grip scales. Tournament finishes will be based on the total weight in pounds and ounces, up to the tournament limit.

Each team will consist of one Pro and one Amateur, who must be at least a General Member of the PAA, paired by random draw. Catches will be recorded on the scorecard and counted toward the tournament limit. Field size will fluctuate between 20 and 36 teams per event, depending on location. The first 20 teams registered per event will be confirmed; additional teams will
be placed on a wait list until the week of the event.

The Pro-Am pairing meeting will be held lakeside at Tawakoni on Friday at the conclusion of the Tournament Series weigh-in at West Tawakoni City Park.
Pro-Am participants must check-in from 3-5:30 p.m. at the PAA lakeside booth and weigh-in site. Amateurs must be present for the Pairing Meeting at approximately 6 p.m. where they will meet their pro and plan for Saturday's competition on Hubbard.

Entry fee is $300 per amateur, per event. That does not include PAA membership, which is $50 to be a General Member.

Prizes will be Bass Pro Shops gift cards for the Amateur winner ($500) and Pro ($250), with a payout based on 1-in-4 entries. Competition will not exceed six hours and will conclude in time for Pros and Amateurs to attend
the final day weigh-in at Bass Pro Shops in Garland.

Anglers may pre-register to become an Observer or for the Pro-Am by emailing Lisa Bell at lisa@fishpaa.com or by calling the PAA at (270) 527-2030.

About the PAA: The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase
enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. Web: www.FishPAA.com

PAA Associate Sponsors: The PAA Tournament Series is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, E21 Carrot Stix, Lazer Trokar, Markel Insurance, Phoenix Boats, Nitro Boats, T-H Marine, Fishouflage, SolarBat, U.S. Reel, Sign Designs, BoatU.S.
Foundation, Mercury Marine and Jasper Engines and Transmissions.

PAA Hosts: The City of Garland, Texas -

A group of volunteers will be serving a barbecue lunch and early evening meal and proceeds will be used for boat ramp/park improvements- Breakfast tacos will also be served starting at 5 a.m.

Media contact:
Alan Clemons
alan@fishpaa.com

Hey y'all,

Just a note to say we're excited about visiting Lake Tawakoni for the PAA Tournament Series event next week and believe it will be a super tournament.

We still have openings for anglers to be PAA Member Observer positions in the tournament Sept. 9-11 on Tawakoni, as well as the Pro-Am tournament Sept. 11 on Lake Ray Hubbard.

Specifics can be found in the info above. Y'all can call the PAA office at (270) 527-2030 to register for either event.

A local group raising money for the West Tawakoni City Park will be on hand Thursday and Friday before and during the weigh-in with brisket, ribs and soft drinks. A local restaurant will be there for the morning launches with breakfast tacos. So y'all come out and bring a friend or five to the launches and weigh-ins to support them and the PAA pros.

Y'all get signed up and we'll see everyone next week. Can't wait.

Alan Clemons
PAA Communications Director

got the rest of the road to the new boat ramp rocked yesterday- packing it down now- we are ready and excited about PAA coming to Tawakoni

Is it right off 276? Can you give directions please? I looked at where it's supposed to be, but I'm not sure where the turn in will be. Thanks!

Tom it is right off 276 the is a big arched entrance on the left.Also a water tower right beside it.If you have seen the amvets club its right before that

Thanks Ken!

Most of them are staying at 429 Marina. We met Shaw Grigsby last night and he was a super nice guy. (He signed my t-shirt.) Jason Quin is also staying here.

come on over and have some barbecue - park group is raising money for more improivements