Ahoy!  "Bass Boss" Coming
For Tampa's Outdoors Expo

B.A.S.S. Founder Ray Scott
 and TRITON Boats Earl Bentz
Onboard March 2nd at
 Florida Fairgrounds...

TAMPA, Florida - The 11th Annual Frank Sargeant's Outdoors Exposition at the Florida State Fair Grounds east of Tampa will offer bass fishing fans the chance to talk bassin' with Ray Scott, the Alabama angler credited with launching the modern-day sport of bass tournament fishing.

Scott, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), will be onboard March 2nd as a special guest of TRITON BOATS, the "No. 1 selling fiberglass bass boat" in the world.

Triton's president Earl Bentz, the designer of the popular high-performance hull, will also be on hand to discuss the Ashland City, Tennessee manufacturer's 2002 lineup of fiberglass bass boat and bluewater rigs and the all-new aluminum bass boats.

Scott and Bentz will be appearing in the Power Source Marine booth of Seffner, Florida, the Triton area bass boat dealership, and the Gandy Marine Center of St. Petersburg, Florida display, the area headquarters for Triton's bluewater boats.

The two bassin' icons of the fishing and marine business will be signing autographs, swapping bass fishing tips and showing off Triton's newest fishing features to showgoers.

For bass fishing buffs and collectors, Scott will autograph copies of his best-selling, "Bass Boss" book, the story of the modern-day sport and rise of competitive bass tournament fishing.

Scott's first All-American Invitational Bass Tournament in June 1967 at Beaver Lake, Arkansas launched the bass fishing craze. From 106 tournament entries, Scott built the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) with over 650,000 worldwide members and created the Bassmaster Tournament Trail.

The fishing heroes and pros, their tips and tactics, and the fishing public's fascination with their fishing machines spawned today's high-tech bass boats.

The latest models of TRITON's lineup of 18 to 22 feet fiberglass hulls will be on display, including the special-rigged 2002 Triton Classic, fished by the world's leading professionals in the BASS Masters Classic in New Orleans and the Louisiana Delta.

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

However, Earl Bentz and his Triton boat-building team are not content to stand pat. For the 2002 season, Bentz introduces an all-new lineup of aluminum bass boats with all the fishing features associated with the high-dollar fiberglass tournament rigs.

The Triton 186 Magnum is rated for 150 horsepower, boasts a stable 85-inch beam and 18-feet, 6-inches in length, and all welded, .100 gauge aluminum construction, wood-free with no materials that rot or leaks.

"The 186 Magnum is tournament-ready and performance proven for big lakes," says Earl Bentz. "You'll discover a smooth, dry ride in rough water, without the slapping and pounding typical of many aluminum hulls."

Bentz adds, the new 176 (17-foot, 6-inches) Magnum aluminum with a 125 hp rating "delivers outstanding performance and operating economy with outboards as small as 90 horses." The 176 Magnum's hole shot and performance is enhanced with Triton's setback transom that eliminates the need for a jackplate, according to Bentz.

"This is an opportunity for Florida's bass anglers to go one-on-one and talk bass boats with the designer of the country's No. 1 brand, Earl Bentz, and meet Ray Scott, the man that started the big-time bass tournament trail," said Expo host Frank Sargeant, the outdoor editor of the Tampa Tribune.

In its 11th year, the Frank Sargeant's Outdoors Exposition has become the largest outdoors and fishing show in the state. For bass fishing fans it's like visiting Mecca. Continuous how-to seminars on three stages, casting clinics and fishing derbies for youngsters provide a big lure for fans.

In addition to the appearances by Ray Scott and Earl Bentz, the show features world-famous bass pro and television sportsman Roland Martin, a member of the TRITON Team pro staff and TV's long-running "Fishing With Roland Martin."

For show details and the lineup of how-to seminars, contact: Frank Sargeant's Outdoors Expo at Ph (813) 259-7376.

For specifications and features on the full line of new TRITONs, contact: Earl Bentz, Triton Boats, 15 Bluegrass Drive, Ashland City, TN 37015 or visit the company's website: www.tritonboats.com.

The Power Source Marine dealership is located at 10909 U. S. Hwy 92 E in Seffner, Florida, and for information contact: Bruce Duncan at Ph (813) 684-9547.

The Gandy Marine Center is located at 10900 Gandy Blvd., in St. Petersburg and for show details contact: Robyn Dawson at Ph (727) 576-1966.

Ray Scott serves as national spokesman for TRITON Boats, Mercury Outboards, MotorGuide Trolling Motors and SOSPENDERS, the U. S. Coast Guard approved inflatable lifevest manufactured by SOS, Inc. (formerly Sporting Lives, Inc.) of Fruitland, Idaho.

Scott of Pintlala, Alabama is president of RAY SCOTT OUTDOORS, Inc., a marketing and consulting firm for fishing tackle and marine companies, and a designer and builder of trophy bass fishing lakes. Scott's three-volume, video series on how-to create "Great Small Waters" is heralded by anglers and fisheries biologists for its information on designing, constructing and managing a small lake.

For information on the "Great Small Waters" videotape series or to order the set ($69.95), call 800-518-7222 at Ray Scott Outdoors, Inc. in Pintlala, Alabama.