NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

June 23, 1998

CONTACT: Mark A. Trainor (850) 488-4676

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SERIES AND FWC CANCEL AMATEUR BASS TOURNAMENTS

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Texas-based Outdoor Adventure Series (OAS) have canceled a series of amateur bass fishing tournaments that were scheduled next year in Florida.

Randy Stark, owner of the OAS, was preparing to bring the biggest-purse amateur bass fishing tournament in history to Florida early next year. The plan called for three mega-money fishing tournaments in different parts of the state. Tournament winners would then compete for a Florida championship.

"A late start in planning for the Florida tournaments and a change in our relationship with Fox Sports Southwest have forced us to postpone our plans for at least a year," Stark said. "We are negotiating an agreement with another national network for broadcast and advertising activity for the Florida tournaments."

In addition to bass tournaments, plans include producing as many as four hour-long television specials about Florida's fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities. The OAS staff will be responsible for conducting the tournaments and getting sponsors, and the FWC will provide technical assistance for the project, tentatively titled "The Outdoor Adventure Series."

Stark said he and his staff are confident things will work out for Florida. The OAS made their debut this year in Texas with a series of four tournaments. The biggest event on Lake Fork drew 2,600 anglers over three days.

The amateur series in Florida would follow the same successful format (see here for info on a Texas event) used in Texas. Prizes are awarded for the seven heaviest bass on an hourly basis during each three-day event.

"We're looking forward to coming to Florida and working with the FWC and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida in putting on a great amateur bass fishing tournament series that will excite anglers and promote the quality fishing Florida offers," Stark said.