August 14, 2015
Top Bass Lake, Toledo Bend, Earns Spot On 2016 Elite Series Schedule
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Bassmaster Elite Series will once again return to the renowned fishery Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Louisiana-Texas border.
B.A.S.S. announced the selection today in conjunction with the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission’s celebration of the lake earning the top spot on Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes list.
“We are thrilled to have been selected for a Bassmaster Elite tournament in 2016,” said Linda Curtis Sparks, director of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission. “Toledo Bend’s designation as the No. 1 bass fishing lake in the nation by Bassmaster Magazine will have lots of eyes focused on what the pros can produce from Toledo Bend. It will be exciting to see.”
The top professional bass anglers and their fans will head to Many, La., May 12-15, 2016, for four days of competition.
“When you combine the best fishery in the country and a host community that has always rolled out the red carpet for our anglers, fans and sponsors, you are certain to have a fantastic event,” said Michael Mulone, B.A.S.S. director of event partnerships. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with Many, Louisiana, and look forward to another successful tournament.”
The 185,000-acre fishery earned the coveted top spot on Bassmaster’s 2015 100 Best Bass Lakes list based on current fishing reports and input from state fisheries departments, the B.A.S.S. Nation leadership and a blue ribbon panel of judges.
“When a lake certifies 80 bass that weigh over 10 pounds in a 12-month time frame, it’s pretty easy to name it the best bass lake in the nation,” said Bassmaster Magazine Editor James Hall. “That’s exactly what happened at Toledo Bend. Plus, it typically takes well over 25 pounds to win a tournament there during any season.
“The lake is simply full of big bass. And to put an exclamation point on the lake’s ranking, an event held there just after Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes were announced saw a 38.22-pound five-fish winning limit. The lake is simply on fire right now!”
“Putting the Bassmaster Elite Series anglers — the best fishermen in the world — on the hottest lake in the nation, will be a perfect storm,” added Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “It is sure to be a ‘slugfest,’ and the real winner will be the bass fishing fan base.” He predicted that the Toledo Bend Elite will qualify one or more anglers for the exclusive Century Club, open only to anglers who weigh in more than 100 pounds of bass in a single Elite event.
B.A.S.S. will announce its full schedule for 2016 in early September.
