Deadline Nears for Upcoming Lake Minnetonka Bass Tournament

Local bass fishermen have until midnight Sunday to register for their shot at big payouts and world championship tournament berths.

The North American Bass Circuit's shootout on Lake Minnetonka is scheduled for Aug. 19, and with more than 80 competitors from across the Midwest signed up at press time, anglers have good odds at winning tens of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Based on the current field size, the payout is guaranteed to have an $8,200 first-place cash prize.

A full 50-boat field will yield a $10,000 first-place paycheck.

The top 10 teams at the upcoming Lake Minnetonka tournament qualify for the 2011 NABC World Bass Championship, set for Sept. 24 and 25 on Leech Lake in Walker. The World Bass Championship will pay $20,000 to the first-place team.

The upcoming Lake Minnetonka tournament will also let anglers test their skills against legendary bass fishermen—including Ron Lindner, Ted and Dean Capra, Mark Fisher and more. Teams will take off from Lord Fletcher's in Spring Park at 7 a.m. and fish until 3 p.m. on Lake Minnetonka’s navigable. Teams may weigh up to five large or smallmouth bass. 

Weigh ins begin at 3 p.m. and are and open to the public. Weigh-in spectators will be treated to a steady stream of Lake Minnetonka bass, and the NABC and National Professional Anglers Association will also be raffling off free fishing tackle to kids ages 12 and under throughout the event.

The tournament will make winners out of Lake Minnetonka bass as well. A $15 per boat donation from each team's entry fee made via the NABC's Bass Conservation Fund through non-profit affiliate Wildlife Forever will benefit Department of Natural Resources' projects to protect local fisheries.

The NABC is open to all anglers. Registration cost is $450 per two-person team. Teams may register by mail, fax or online.

Full details and printable registration forms are available at northamericanbasscircuit.com. Or call (877) 893-7947; or email events@namginc.com for more information. Remember, registration closes at midnight August 14. 

Next week’s tournament on Lake Minnetonka is the third and final stop of the NABC's 2011 season.

The North American Bass Circuit's title sponsors include Cabela's, Ranger Boats, Stratos Boats and the North American Fishing Club. Supporting sponsors include Mercury Marine, Rapala, Sufix, Trigger X, Detwiler-MarineTech Products, Gemini Sport Marketing, Wave Fishing, O2 Marine Technologies and Optima Batteries.