Buffalo Niagara, the NFTA Boat Harbor, Lake Erie and the Niagara River are ready and waiting for the CITGO Bassmaster Pro Am Invitational fishing tournament to begin. Anglers traveling from most states east of the Mississippi have begun to arrive for the tournament that officially begins in the early morning hours of Thursday, September 11 and continues through Saturday, September 13, 2003. Practice fishing days are set for September 8 through 10.
Part of the 2003 CITGO Bassmaster Open Tournament Trail and run by the Bass Angler Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), Lake Erie is the second stop on the Northern Open Trail, which begins on the Potomac River in Charles County, Maryland and concludes on Oneida Lake in Syracuse. B.A.S.S. is owned by ESPN, who will have camera crews out on Lake Erie taping the action.
“This prestigious event in the world of professional fishing pairs up one professional and one amateur entrant in each boat,” said Jim Hanley, Erie County Sportfishing Coordinator and host of Northeast Outdoors television series. “We have 190 entries in each category and they will depart the boat harbor in groups at roughly 15-minute intervals each day.”
“An official, high-tech weigh-in will take place at the NFTA Boat Harbor at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and the top 50 teams determined by weight will stay on to fish in the final competition on Saturday,” added Hanley. “Prize money totaling $300,000 dollars will be awarded at the conclusion of the competition.”
“Though some may extend their visit to Buffalo Niagara, we’re expecting an average stay of six nights,” added Hanley. “And when you consider the number of meals and amount of gasoline that will be purchased locally by this group, we’re looking at a significant impact on the local economy.”
There are more than 28 million freshwater sportfisherman in the U.S. with an approximate value in excess of $74 billion. New York State ranks in the top 15 for B.A.S.S. membership.
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