Tulsa Boat & Sport Show
Lands The "Bass Boss"

B.A.S.S. Founder Ray Scott
 and TRITON Boats Earl Bentz
 appear February 1-2 at
 Fairgrounds Expo Square...

TULSA, Oklahoma - The week long Tulsa Boat, Sport and Travel Show, January 28-February 3, at the Tulsa Fairgrounds will host a special attraction for bass fishing fans, February 1-2, with Ray Scott, the man credited with launching the modern-day sport of professional bass tournament fishing, on hand.

Scott of Pintlala, Alabama, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), will be appearing as a special guest of TRITON Boats, the "No. 1 selling fiberglass bass boat," and Tulsa's Nichols Marine dealership.

TRITON's president Earl Bentz, the designer of the popular high-performance hull, will also be here to discuss the Ashland City, Tennessee manufacturer's 2002 lineup of fiberglass rigs and all-new aluminum bass 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 in the Nichol's Marine booth.

For bass fishing buffs and collectors, Scott will autograph copies of his best-selling, "Bass Boss" book, the story of the modern-day sport of competitive bass 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 new fishing heroes and pros, such as Don T. Butler of Tulsa, their tips and tactics, and the fishing public's fascination with their fishing machines spawned today's high-tech bass boats.

Butler, the winner of the 1972 BASS Masters Classic world championship, was instrumental in the early-day success of Scott's Bassmaster Tournament Trail. As a key cog in the organization of the Tulsa Bass Club and the first official member of Scott's Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Butler and Tulsa-area bassers have deep roots in the history and success of the B.A.S.S. fishing story.

Also, accompanying Scott to the "Tulsa BASS Appreciation" visit is former Tulsa Tribune Outdoor Editor Bob Cobb, who in 1967 reported on the Beaver Lake All-American Invitational. Cobb of Montgomery, Alabama left to become the first editor of BASSMASTER Magazine in 1968 and later served as producer/director of highly-acclaimed "The BASSMASTERS" television series on The Nashville Network (TNN).

Currently, Cobb is public relations and marketing vice president for Ray Scott Outdoors, Inc., a consulting and marketing group for the fishing tackle and marine business headquartered in Pintlala, Alabama.

Scott sold his interest in B.A.S.S. in 1986 to a group of company investors, but continued as the "Bass Boss" and master of ceremonies of the BASS Masters Classic world finals and the B.A.S.S. Tournament Trail circuit. In 1998, Scott stepped off the weigh-in stage to follow another "dream." His desire to organize a special marketing group for outdoor and marine products.

As the best known celebrity pitchman in the fishing field, Scott serves as national spokesman for TRITON Boats, Mercury Outboards, MotorGuide Trolling Motors and SOS, Inc., (formerly Sporting Lives, Inc.,) the manufacturers of the Coast Guard-approved automatic inflatable lifevests.

Latest models in the TRITON's lineup of 18 to 22 feet bass boats will be on display including the special-rigged 2002 Triton Classic, fished by the world's leading 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," says Ray Scott. "The ultimate bass boat, in my opinion."

However, Earl Bentz and his TRITON boat builders 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 high-end fiberglass tournament rigs.

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

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

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 Tulsa Boat, Sport and Travel Show at the Expo Square on East 21st Street kicks-off on January 28th with show hours on February 1 (noon to 10 p.m.) and February 2 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Contact Stan Jones or Gary Nichols of Nichols Marine at (918) 838-2500 for TRITON Boats show specials and autograph signing times for Ray Scott and Earl Bentz during the show.