PAA TOURNAMENT SERIES REGISTRATION

Story courtesy of PAA Communications

BENTON, KY – Priority registration for the Pro Division begins Monday, Feb. 6, for the 2012 Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series, which features reduced entry fees and the addition of a Co-Angler Division.
 
Entry fees are $1,500 per tournament for the Pro Division and $250 per tournament for the Co-Angler Division. Pro Division registration begins Feb. 6 for anglers who register for all three tournaments, who were in the Top 100 in the 2011 PAA Angler of the Year point standings or who fished one or more 2011 Tournament Series events. Registration opens Feb. 13 for Pro anglers who wish to fish one event this season.
 
Co-Angler registration opens Feb. 20 for anglers wishing to compete in all three tournaments, and Feb. 27 for single events. Co-Anglers will fish the first two days of the tournament and will have priority to be an Observer for the final day, which will feature the top 15 Pro Division anglers who make the cut.

Registration deposits are $500 per tournament for the Pro Division and $50 per tournament for the Co-Angler Division. Deposits are non-refundable.
 
“The Board of Directors listened to PAA members and discussed the merits of lowering the entry fees for this season,” said PAA President Dave Mansue of Texas. “The Board worked diligently to solicit input, consider the various discussions on all sides of the issue and then make a decision they believe is best for the membership.
 
“We believe the reduction in entry fees, along with the addition of Co-Anglers, will provide more fishing opportunities to anglers who want to compete in the PAA Tournament Series. Not only will the competition be strong, but the pros will have the ability to gain exposure through FishPAA Television and qualify for the Toyota Texas Bass Classic world championship. We are looking forward to a great season.”
 
The PAA Tournament Series will compete at Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, Tenn., in May before returning to Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden, Ala., in July. The final event of the season will be on the Arkansas River in Muskogee, Okla., in September, where the PAA Angler of the Year will be crowned.
 
Updated PAA Tournament Series rules, including those for Co-Anglers, along with payout structure for the Pro and Co-Angler division are available at FishPAA.com under the “Tournaments” section.
 
Co-Angler participation is open to PAA General or Advantage members in good standing who are 16 years of age or older. College students who are PAA Affinity members may participate as Co-Anglers with proof of being a current or active college student (a copy of college ID must be submitted with $250 Co-Angler payment).

"We believe the Co-Anglers will have a great time competing in the Tournament Series events," Mansue said. "It's possible they could fish one day each with top pros from the Bassmaster Elite Series and FLW Tour and then choose to be an official observer on the final day to gain an extra day of learning.
 
"Our rules have been reviewed by Tournament Director Randy Knight with extensive input from the Board of Directors to ensure fairness, integrity and the best possible competition on the water,” Mansue added. “Interest has been great since our scheduled was announced in December. We look forward to the season and seeing all the anglers who participate with the PAA this year at our tournaments in Tennessee, Alabama and Oklahoma.”
 
PRO ANGLER REGISTRATION:
Monday, Feb. 6 - Pro anglers wishing to register for all three 2012 PAA Tournament Series events ... First priority to any angler in the Top 100 of the 2011 PAA Angler of the Year point standings ... Second priority to any angler who fished in one or more 2011 PAA Tournament Series event(s)
 
Monday, Feb. 13 - Pro anglers wishing to register for single events in the 2012 PAA Tournament Series
 
CO-ANGLER REGISTRATION:
Monday, Feb. 20 - Co-Anglers wishing to register for all three 2012 PAA Tournament Series events
 
Monday, Feb. 27 - Co-Anglers wishing to register for single events in the 2012 PAA Tournament Series

Payouts, rules and schedule dates can be found at www.FishPAA.com under the "Tournaments" menu heading.
 
Deposits or full payment can be made with credit cards. Check the dates for your registration period and contact the PAA at (270) 527-2030 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Central time) Monday through Friday to register.