Ahoy! Boat Show Docks At Ft. Smith 

Copher's Boat Center hosts
Bassin' icon Ray Scott
at Civic Center
Show, Jan. 31-Feb. 1…

FORT SMITH, Arkansas - The spring fishing fling won't heat up for a few more weeks, but for bass anglers mired in the winter doldrums, the next best thing is the Fort Smith Boat and Tackle Show, January 31-February 2.

Besides wall-to-wall displays for the newest in bass fishing boats and rigs, visitors to the Copher's Boat Center display in the Fort Smith Civic Center have the opportunity to meet and greet one of the legendary names in the modern sport of bass fishing. Ray Scott, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), will be on hand January 31 and February 1 as special guest of TRITON Boats.

"We're inviting bass boat shoppers to come by and take the opportunity to go one-on-one with Ray Scott, the man that changed bass fishing from a recreation into a big-time sport," said Bill Copher of the Boat Center, located at 8111 Hwy 271 South, a Triton dealership.

TRITON, manufactured in Ashland City, Tennessee, has gained the reputation as a "new breed of bass boat." Scott serves as national promotional spokesman for the popular line of high performance hulls.

"Performance is the key," says Bill Copher. "Triton's Vortex hull offers an incredibly smooth, dry ride. And, it's built entirely wood-free with 100 percent composite construction."

Copher says the "flagship" of the TRITON fleet at this year's show is the limited edition Triton Citgo BASS Masters Classic special, the same package the pros are equipped with in the world championship of bass fishing.

"The bass boat of a lifetime" is how Ray Scott views it. From the "official" Classic emblems and markings, to the high-performance jackplate, to the space-age driver's console and the custom-matching boat trailer. The Classic package is available in Triton models from 19 to 22 feet.

"The Triton Classic edition captures all the excitement and prestige of the world's premier fishing event, the BASS Masters Classic," opines Bill Copher. And, "invites showgoers to come to our booth and see for yourself and talk bass boating with Ray Scott." Show hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday (Jan. 31) and Saturday (Feb.1). The show will also be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 2).

Copher says the Fort Smith Boat & Tackle Show will also feature a kids casting contest, a class for youngsters in boating safety and the Arkansas Game & Fish Department will have its popular gamefish aquarium on display. For Copher's Boat Center show information, contact Bill Copher at (479) 646-5672 or email the Triton dealer at justin@cophers.com.

Ray Scott, in 1967, launched the bass tournament craze with his All-American Invitational Bass Tournament at Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas. He built the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society into a worldwide organization with over 650,000 members and created the BASS Masters Classic to showcase the sport's best professional fishermen.

"The Bassmaster Tournament Trail has been the proving grounds for today's bass boat innovations in performance and boating safety," points out Scott. "Just as the Indy 500 improved the car for drivers."

Scott left B.A.S.S., Inc., in 1998 to form his marketing and consulting group, Ray Scott Outdoors, Inc., for the boating and fishing tackle industries.

Besides TRITON Boats, Scott serves as national promotional spokesman for Mercury Outboards, MotorGuide trolling motors, SOSPENDERS inflatable life vests and U. S. Reel, a new revolutionary lightweight spinning reel with an oversize spool to improve casting distance and accuracy.

As a new Trustee with the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA), Scott is working with the organization to increase interest among freshwater anglers in the IGFA's record setting program. Scott's move to "put the sport back in sportfishing" is his effort to get some fun and excitement in bass fishing.

"Where's the challenge for a 200-pound man to whip a 2-pound bass on 20-pound test line?" asks Scott. "But, level the playing field. Use only 4-pound test line. And, see what happens when a big bass bites."