The "Bass Boss" Weigh-in
Host for ABA Championship 

Ray Scott Weighmaster for
American Bass Anglers
National Finals at
Kentucky-Barkley Lakes...

PADUCAH, Kentucky - The weekend warriors of bass fishing, the American Bass Anglers, march on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, October 5-10, for the 2003 National ABA Championship.

The former Military Bass Anglers Association, now the American Bass Anglers, Inc., headquartered in Athens, Alabama, will host its annual championship out of the Kentucky Dam Marina. The largest tournament organization for weekend fishermen, the ABA finals draws 500 qualifying anglers from 39 states - competing for $250,000 in cash and awards.

Special weighmaster for the October 10th (Friday) finals will be the "Bass Boss," Ray Scott, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and the angler credited with the formation of bass tournament competitions. Scott of Pintlala, Alabama, in June 1967 organized the first All-American Invitational Bass Tournament at Beaver Lake, Arkansas and "officially" started professional tournament bass fishing.

The final weigh-in, hosted by Ray Scott, will get underway at 2:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Dam Village. Weigh-ins on October 8 and 9 (Wednesday and Thursday) will start at 3 p.m. Practice days are set for October 5-7.

Fishing fans and ABA members will see a star-spangled, flag-waving salute to the USA and the country's Armed Forces prior to the start of the three-day event at "first light" on Wednesday morning (Oct. 8). Many fishermen and members of the American Bass Anglers are serving in the U. S. military.

"We are very proud of our members serving in the U. S. Armed Forces. Some have just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq," said Morris Sheehan, president of ABA. "This will be a great opportunity to meet and thank these service men and women for their efforts."

Formed originally as a recreational outlet for anglers in the military, the Military Bass Anglers Association opened its tournaments to non-military members and evolved into the American Bass Anglers. The ABA tournament trail provides weekend anglers with low entry fee competition, close-to-home tournaments and a path to reach the National Championship each year to win big awards, explains Sheehan.

Tournament headquarters will be at the Executive Inn in Paducah. The 2003 Champions Awards banquet will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 10th) at the Executive Inn.

Besides the 2003 ABA National Champion, the tournament will decide the Angler of the Year race. Both winners receive fully-rigged Triton TR-21 boats equipped with 225 horsepower Mercury outboards, MotorGuide trolling motors, Lowrance Electronic and T-H Marine Accessories.

The American Bass Anglers (MBAA) was organized in 1975. For information, contact: Kelly S. Combs, marketing director, American Bass Anglers, Inc., P O Box 475, Athens, AL 35611 or telephone 1-800-232-4428. Or visit the ABA's website: www.americanbassanglers.com for the full National Championship's schedule of events and history of the organization.

Prior to Friday's final weigh-in Ray Scott will be on hand to talk bass fishing and sign autographs for his fans. Scott's story and book, "The Bass Boss," tells the history of the birth of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) and the sport of professional bass fishing. For information or to order a copy of "Bass Boss" telephone 1-800-518-7222. Or visit Ray Scott's website at www.rayscott.net .