Raleigh Boat Show
Lands "Bass Boss"
On January 4 - 5

B.A.S.S. Founder Ray Scott
And TRITON Boats, Earl Bentz Coming
for Bass Fishing Expo…

RALEIGH, NC - Known around the world as Mr. B.A.S.S., Ray Scott, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) will headline a cast of outdoor celebrities appearing January 4-5 at the Raleigh State Fairgrounds.

Scott of Pintlala, Alabama changed bass fishing from a weekend pastime to a big-time pro fishing sport with his cast-for-cash tournaments. His Bassmaster Tournament Trail is credited with creating the bass boat industry, revolutionizing bass fishing tackle and techniques and turning weekend fishermen into full-time fishing professionals.

The 12th annual Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo will be held January 4-6 at the Jim Graham Building with the newest in bass boats, saltwater boats, fishing tackle and marine electronics for the 2002 season featured.

Scott, along with Earl Bentz, president of TRITON BOATS, will be appearing in the Boats Unlimited display during the January 4-5 show hours. Bentz's TRITON brand has claimed the boat buyer's seal of approval as the "No. 1 selling fiberglass bass boat."

The two bassin' icons will be signing autographs, talking bass fishing and discussing bass boats with showgoers.

The story of the modern-day bass fishing craze is told in Ray Scott's "Bass Boss," the insider's look at the creation of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail and its fishing heroes. Autographed copies of the book by Scott will be available in the Boats Unlimited/Triad Marine booth.

The newest models in the TRITON lineup of 18 to 22 feet bass boats will be on display, including the special-rigged 2002 Triton Classic, fished by the world's top pros in the BASS Masters Classic in New Orleans and the Louisiana Delta.

"This is everything the serious bass angler can find in a bass boat," said Ray Scott. "The ultimate bass boat, in my opinion."

TRITON BOATS, based in Ashland City, Tennessee has claimed the top selling brand in fiberglass bass rigs in just four years. Bentz, a former world champion boat racer with Mercury Marine, has designed performance, fishability and wood-free, 100 percent composite construction in his fishin' machines.

Not content to stand pat, TRITON for the 2002 season has introduced a lineup of aluminum bass boats with all the standard features found on the high-dollar fiberglass tournament rigs. The Triton 186 Magnum hull is rated for 150 horsepower, boasts an 85-inch beam and 18-feet, 6-inches in length. All welded, .100-guage aluminum construction, wood-free with no materials that rot or leaks.

For details on the complete line of TRITONs, contact: Earl Bentz, TRITON BOATS, 15 Bluegrass Drive, Ashland City, TN 37015 or visit the company's website: www.tritonboats.com. 

Boats Unlimited dealership, located at 1606 Page Road Exit in Durham, is a new 40,000-square foot facility opened last spring and the largest marine showroom in the state. For information, contact David Perry, manager, at Ph (919) 596-4100.

More than 100 booths and 25 boat dealer will offer displays. Both freshwater and saltwater how-to fishing seminars are on tap. Lure presentations and techniques will be demonstrated in a "giant bass tub" with live fish.

Show hours are 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., January 4th; 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. on January 5th and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on January 6th (Saturday).