GADSDEN, Alabama - "I'm not complaining. I've made a decent living," admits Pam Martin of Bainbridge, Georgia, the all-time leading money winner in women's professional bass fishing history.

But, "equal pay for equal play" is an issue when comparing the rewards for professional fishermen vs. fisherwomen.

Martin, a 37-year old, who learned her bass fishing skills on Lake Seminole in southwest Georgia, has earned over $400,000 in the sport of casting-for-cash. But, the grand total is spaced over 14-years of tournament action. Compare Martin's bankroll to Rick Clunn's winnings in the 2000 season alone - of over $500,000 - and the buck stops short.

Clunn, a four-time BASS Masters Classic world champion, has pocketed over $2 million in his career on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail and the FLW circuit, where wins pay out over $100,000 in recent seasons.

Twenty-six of the best lady anglers in the Women's Bass Fishing Association will go rod-to-rod, November 9-11, on Lake Neely Henry hoping to claim the biggest jewel in women's bass fishing - the WBFA's 2000 Classic World Championship.

For Pam Martin, it's been a slippery prize. "I've had five second-place finishes," she grins with a what-do-I-do-look. "Honestly, I've missed winning the Classic by a combined total of about eight ounces. When scored on digital scales in hundredths of a pound, I'm sure holding a fish up for 'one more photo' made a difference," opines Martin.

Winning the WBFA's Classic championship would fulfill a longtime goal for Pam Martin, but she's seeking "mostly fame than fortune."

"All the gals out here, trying to fish for a living, struggle to make it," points out Martin. "We just don't receive the publicity the men's tournament trails get in the newspapers and getting sponsors is a tough job.

"Some gals will get support from manufacturers in the form of product," continues Martin, "but, you can't sell out for a patch and product alone. You need some financial backing, too. There's not enough big payouts in our tournaments for many players to make it."

The 2000 Classic champion, besides the coveted crown, will take home a fully-rigged Triton bass boat, the TR-19, powered with Mercury's EFI 150 horsepower outboard motor, three Humminbird Electronics depthfinder and fish-finders, and Minn Kota trolling motor, a $25,000 package.

From fishing reports, the champion may well earn it. "With the cooler, fall weather and water temperatures dropping, the bass should become more active," believes WBFA's tournament director Willie Cook. "But, it may be tough to weigh-in a five-bass limit each day."

Daily weigh-ins will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the downtown Gadsden City Parks Docks. Ray Scott, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) and the innovator of pro bass fishing sport, will serve as special guest weighmaster.

Pam Martin says the winning strategy may be "to go for a limit of the spotted bass, then try to find a kicker largemouth. Some of us have fished tournaments here and know the Coosa River, but I don't feel any advantage. I'll not try to guess, but try to find a pattern during the three practice days (November 6-8). But, 7 or 8 pounds might be a reasonable catch to shoot for each day."

The anglers will fish from their own bass boats with an observer/official on board. The boats are equipped with aerated livewells and the fish will be released following weigh-ins. Penalty points are scored in the event of dead fish at the scales.

Fishing with artificial lures only, the size limit is a 12-inch minimum length with spotted bass, largemouth and smallmouth permitted with five bass each day.

"Crank bait is probably my strong suit," admits Pam Martin, "but sometimes on the Coosa a small (plastic) worm with a lot of shaking action will trigger the spots to bite. But, finding the fish - to make 'em bite - is the key."

Counting the now defunct Bass 'N Gals Classic championships, Martin is fishing her 14th women's world finals. She's won nine national titles and ranked as the Angler-of-the-Year points leader in 1994 and 1995. The missing jewel in her crown is the Classic "world champion" glitter.

This is the third annual WBFA's world finals, since Willlie Cook of Pelham, Alabama organized the Women's Bass Fishing Association following the closing of the Bass 'N Gals circuit based in Texas.

Donna Newberry of Van Buren, Arkansas is the WBFA's defending world champion, winning the title last fall on the Red River at Marksville, Louisiana. Sherrie Brubaker of Warner, Oklahoma was the 1998 WBFA's inaugural Classic winner. Both are competing for a repeat victory.

The hot hand for the WBFA's 2000 season qualifying belongs to JoNell Whitstine of Colfax, Louisiana, the Angler-of-the-Year points leader over a six tournament series. Marcia Fann of Clewiston, Florida was the runner-up.

The WBFA's Tour 2000 Classic Awards banquet is set for the Noccalula Falls Kiwanis Lodge at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, following the final 2:30 p.m. weigh-in. The City of Gadsden and Mayor Steve Means and the Alabama Department of Parks and Tourism are co-hosts for the tournament.

For WBFA information, contact: Willie Cook, director, Women's Bass Fishing Association, P O Box 538, Pelham, AL 35124. Telephone (205) 663-5243. E-mail address: EBCWBFA@aol.com. Tournament headquarters will be the Red Roof Inn in Gadsden, Alabama.