Logan Martin

Over 360 amateur anglers will make their way to Pell City this weekend to battle it out on water for a chance to claim tournament champions of the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series Championship. Hosted by the Pell City Chamber of Commerce, the championship tournament is set for October 6-7 on Logan Martin Lake. Along with the coveted title and bragging rights, the top winning team will receive a new 2018 Phoenix boat valued at $45,000. 

According to Alabama Bass Trail Program Director Kay Donaldson, 181 two-person teams have qualified for the Tournament Series Championship. The 181 boats are comprised of 10 winning teams of the regular season events, the top 75 teams in points from the North and South divisions that fished all five events in their respective divisions, along with the top student, collegiate and couples boats collectively from both divisions that fished all five events in their respective division. For a complete list of qualifying anglers, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.

“It’s great to have the Alabama Bass Trail return to Logan Martin Lake and especially to host their two-day championship,” remarks Pell City Chamber President Larry Daugherty. “We are excited for our hotels, restaurants and other chamber members that will benefit from the Alabama Bass Trail Championship and other events brought to our area by the Chamber of Commerce.” 

The championship is a no-entry tournament and the first place prize is a fully-rigged 2018 Phoenix 819 Pro with a Mercury 200 trolling motor and electronics valued at $45,000 with an additional $40,000 in cash and prizes to the top 25 teams. The official bass boat of the Alabama Bass Trail, Phoenix Bass boats will also offer the tier one First Flight incentive plan to tournament winners in a qualifying Phoenix boat.

Registration and briefing will take place on Thursday, October 5 at Celebrations in Cropwell. Fishing enthusiasts are invited to cheer on their favorite teams during take-offs and weigh-ins. Take-off is set for 6 a.m. and weigh-in will start around 2:30 p.m. at Lakeside Park boat ramp both days. The first 25 kids under 12 years old at the weigh-in both days will receive a rod/reel combo as a free gift. 

According to Donaldson, the tournament is expected to pump an estimated $600,000 into the local economy of the host city through revenue generated by anglers and their family members dining, shopping, and staying in local hotels and motels.

“This is the first time the Alabama Bass Trail Championship has been held on Logan Martin Lake and we have enjoyed working with the Chamber of Commerce and the City’s Park and Recreation staff to bring this event to the area. We have already seen on social media where anglers are already practicing and we expect this event to generate more than $600,000 in local spending over the course of seven days,” said Donaldson.

“The Pell City Chamber of Commerce is happy to host the 2017 Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series Championship,” said Larry Daugherty. “Logan Martin is no stranger to hosting major fishing and I am sure the warm hospitality these anglers and family will receive from our community will leave them wanting to visit often. With over 360 anglers participating, the economic impact felt throughout our community will be significant. The number of anglers visiting and accompanying family members combined with the outstanding marketing from the ABT staff and the televised coverage of this year’s event will make a lasting contribution to our area for years to come. To sum it up, the exposure this trail brings to our lake and community is immeasurable.”   

Alabama Bass Trail Tournament sponsors include Bill Penney Toyota, the Alabama Tourism Department, Phoenix Bass Boats, Inc., Academy Sports & Outdoors, Garmin, Garmin Virb XE, Wind Creek Hospitality-Montgomery, Wind Creek Hospitality-Wetumpka, T – H Marine Supplies, Inc., Wedowee Marine, Alabama Power Company, Buffalo Rock, Inc., Lews Fishing, FishNeelyHenry.com, Power-Pole, YETI, Hydrowave, Inc.  AFTCO, Pond MD will manage fish care and Southern Stream Live will be the live-streaming company. 

For more information on the Alabama Bass Trail and the tournament series, call Donaldson at 855-934-7425 or visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.  

Championship Payout:

 

First place:	2018 Phoenix 819 Pro boat
Second place:	$5,000
Third place:	$4,000
Fourth place:	$3,000
Fifth place:	$2,500
Sixth place:	$2,000
Seventh place:	$1,800
Eighth place:	$1,700
Ninth place:	$1,600
Tenth place:	$1,400
Eleventh-Fifteenth:	$1,200 each
Sixteenth-Twenty-fifth:	$1,100 each