Three local anglers have qualified to compete in the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series, which includes eight fishing tournaments offering a top prize of $100,000 each.

Aaron Martens of Leeds, Kotaro Kiriyama of Moody, and Randy Howell of Springville will seek the top prize of $100,000 in each tournament, a chance to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic, and a shot at the 2011 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.

The local fishermen are among more than a hundred of the most talented anglers in bass fishing who represent 27 states and one foreign country. The field includes perhaps the greatest competition angler of all time, Kevin VanDam, a Michigan fisherman with more than $5 million in career earnings.

The first Elite tournament is set for March 10-13 at Harris Chain, Tavares, Fla., followed by St. John’s River, Palatka, Fla., March 17-20.  Florence will host the third tournament on Pickwick Lake April 6-9, and the series will conclude at Wheeler Lake in Decatur June 16-19.  

The remaining events will be held in Many, La., LaGrange, Ga., Columbia, S.C., and Little Rock, Ark.

At each tournament, fishing fans can enjoy a variety of activities such as daily tournament weigh-ins; Ask the Experts, where fans can pose questions to Elite Series pros; Hooked Up, the Bassmaster.com preview show that gives fans on-site and online updates from the day’s tournament action; B.A.S.S. giveaways; tips and techniques from industry experts; angler autograph sessions; B.A.S.S. merchandise for purchase; live music from local and regional acts; family- and youth-friendly activities; and product demos.

For fans who can’t attend in person, Bassmaster.com is the ultimate go-to destination for Elite Series event standings, stories, photo galleries, blogs, live coverage of weigh-ins, and on-the-water and behind-the-scenes video.

Each Bassmaster Elite Series event will be taped for broadcast on The Bassmasters, one of the highest-rated outdoors programs on television. One-hour programs air on ESPN2 Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. (EST) and Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. (EST) on ESPN Classic.

Other qualifiers from Alabama are Matt Herren, Trussville; Boyd Duckett, Demopolis; Tim Horton, Muscle Shoals; Steve Kennedy, Auburn; Chris Lane, Guntersville; Russ Lane, Prattville; Keith Poche, Troy; Derek Remitz, Grant; Gerald Swindle, Warrior; and Greg Vinson, Wetumpka.