PRSIDENTS MESSAGE

MAY 1, 2008

 I have just returned from another great TBF Federation National Championship Tournament presented by The National Guard. It was held on Lake Wylie near Charlotte, North Carolina April 23-26. The total payout was $236,000 with the first place Boater and first place Co-Angler advancing to the $2,000,000 Forrest Wood Cup and the $1,000,000 BFL All American. The first place Boater award includes a $10,000 cash payment,  the TBF Living the Dream Package which is the use for one year of a wrapped Ranger boat and a wrapped Chevy truck along with paid entry fees into either the Wall-Mart FLW Tour or the Wall-Mart FLW Series tournaments. The Forrest Wood Cup will be August 14-17 in Columbia, SC. The top boater and top co-angler in each of the 6 Divisions will advance to the $1,000,000 BFL All American which will be held May 29-31 on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The top boater was Brian Travis from North Carolina with 45 lbs-9ozs and the top co-angler was Craig Fredrychowski from South Carolina with26 lbs-11ozs.

Although Ohio’s two contenders, Gary Baker (boater) from New Lebanon and Scott Brandenburg (co-angler) from Troy didn’t place high in the final standings they both said it was an experience they thoroughly enjoyed and will never forget.

The one down side to the event was several trucks were broken into at the ramp and numerous vehicles were also broken into at the motel.

The Presidents had meetings all week and TBF unveiled their

TBF GET 3 PROMOTION where each club is encouraged to get 3 new members and each State Federation is asked to get 3 new clubs for 2009. A motion carried over from last year to change the Divisional tournaments from the current format to a boater, co-angler format was soundly defeated 29 to 8.

A class was held showing how the new member roster format works and how easy it is for a club to do all their roster information on line. TBF is encouraging all state federations to work with the clubs in their state to use the new system. Hopefully all clubs will be using the system by 2009. Go to www.bassfederation.com   click on join us and then click Roster Management System to register an existing club or start a new club. You should then get your password within 3 to 4 days.

Remember to send your invoice along with separate dues checks for OBF and TBF to the State Secretary Sue Devaughn.

Ranger has an offer for TBF members with dues paid before May 1, 2008.

For any new or unused Ranger package in dealer inventory purchased between May 1 and June 30, 2008 the federation member will receive

 a Ranger boat cover and a $1,000 Wall-Mart gift card/gas card,  and after turning in the Federation Voucher to TBF they will receive a $400 clothing package and tournament shirt along with the state federation receiving $400 in Ranger voucher money. The member will also receive the Ranger’s Owner’s Group Package.

Lowrance is offering a choice of a free map card if you purchase an LMS 520C between now and July 15^th.

Remember Lowrance and MinnKota are federation sponsors and offer discounts on merchandise to federation members through the state president.

Berkley is also offering discounts to members through the president but everything hasn’t been finalized yet.

FLW is reminding everyone to get involved and play the new

Fantasy Fishing game. There is lots of money to win and there will be a $1,000,000 winner.