GRAND SLAM SERIES GROWS IN 2008
- HI-SEAS® BACK AS NAME SPONSOR
Within days of the 2007 Grand Slam Championship on Kentucky Lake, HI-SEAS and American Bass Anglers reached an agreement to expand this popular professional tournament series with full sponsor participation by the manufacturer whose product—Grand Slam® Line—was the inspiration behind it all.
“We’re thrilled to be back for year two,” said Mike Shields, HI-SEAS Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “and excited to see the series double in size and scope so quickly.”
For 2008 the Grand Slam Series will be expanded to ten events, each with a greatly increased prize payout and a Mercury-powered Triton Bass Boat valued at $39,000 as the top prize for the pros. Anglers placing high enough in the points standing by series end will be invited to participate in the Grand Slam Championships where two Triton boats will be awarded, one to the winning pro and the other to the winning co-angler. That’s an even dozen new Triton boats up for grabs in addition to cash, prizes, trophies and more bragging rights than last year!
No longer limited to lakes in the Southeast, the expanded series has added five new events to the roster in the Southwest Division making it easier for ABA members from those states to get in on the action. The Southwest Division contests kick off on February 15 at Toledo Bend and include events at Sam Rayburn, Richland Chambers and Red River, culminating with the last qualifying tournament in June at Lake Millwood. The Southeast Division tournaments start on March 14 at Lake Guntersville and run through July 25 at Kentucky Lake. The Championship host lake will be announced latter in the season and will be convenient to anglers from both divisions.
“The Grand Slam Series is the most reasonably priced professional bass tournament trail in the country,” noted Debra Tally, ABA Director of Marketing. “Entry fees for most tournaments have been going through the roof and anglers who want to compete have been forced to rethink their commitment. We designed this series for those anglers by keeping entry fees the lowest of any professional circuit in the country while still putting on quality events with top notch prize packages. We couldn’t do it without great sponsors like HI-SEAS!”
“Our involvement with American Bass Anglers has been a real win-win,” Steve Miller, HI-SEAS Sales Manager, reported. “Our wide range of fishing line products are being recognized and used by thousands of bass fishermen nationwide and their growing popularity has lead to a significant expansion in distribution and sales. Anglers all over the south are finding there are HI-SEAS products that fit their fishing styles and needs and they write us letters and emails voicing their approval.”
To give anglers an even greater edge in the 2008 tournament season, HI-SEAS is adding two new products that are already a hit with our pro staff. Joining our popular Black Widow®, Grand Slam® and White Lightning® brand monofilament lines, we have expanded the Grand Slam brand with the introduction of Grand Slam Braid, a superior super braid made of Spectra® fibers that offers the ultimate in sensitivity and performance. If you like braid you’ll love Grand Slam Braid!
Also new is HI-SEAS Fluorocarbon Line in reel filler spools in tests from 6 to 25 pounds. After initial tests by our pro staff during the 2007 Grand Slam Series they raved about its performance in clear water and specifically for finesse techniques that require line that sinks more rapidly and offers greater feel with light lures. At their insistence it will now be available to anglers everywhere and should be on store shelves in 200 yards spools in plenty of time for the upcoming tournament season.
HI-SEAS, the official name sponsor of the Grand Slam Series, is also the exclusive line sponsor of the ABA Couples Tour Team Competition and the American Fishing Tour.
The entry feesfor the Grand Slam Series will be $550 for boaters and $155 for co-anglers. There will be an impressive $20,000 going to the 1st place boater and $5000 to the 1st place co-angler at each of the five qualifying events based on 200 entries. The total payout for qualifying events will be 80% and paid to 25% of the field.
At the Grand Slam Series no entry fee Championship, the winning boater will receive a fully rigged Triton Tr21X series boat, Mercury OptiMax 225 motor and MotorGuide Trolling Motor valued at $52,000. Another $50,000* will be paid out to 20% of the remaining boaters. The Grand Slam Series Champion co-angler will receive a fully rigged Triton Tr186 boat, Mercury 150hp motor and MotorGuide Trolling Motor valued at $30,000. Another $25,000* will be paid out to 20% of the remaining co-anglers. With all of America’s top name marine product manufactures offering incentives, the total possible payout for The GRAND SLAM Series in 2007 will be over $725,000.00!
Prospective anglers may register starting Monday, December 4th for the 2007 season as indicated below, by calling the ABA National office, toll-free at 1-888-203-6222 or on-line at www.abaprotour.com.
1. Priority Registration: Triton boat owners entering with a co-angler and paying a nontransferable, nonrefundable deposits (Boater $550.00, Co-angler $155.00) for all five qualifying events will be accepted beginning at 8 am Central time, December 4, 2006.
2. Package Registration: All others entering with a co-angler and paying a nontransferable, nonrefundable deposits (Boater $550.00, Co-angler $155.00) for all five qualifying events will be accepted begins at 8 am Central time, December 6, 2006.
3. Individual Registration: Those boater and co-anglers desiring to enter as individuals (not linked together) and paying a nontransferable, nonrefundable deposits (Boater $550.00, Co-angler $155.00 for all five qualifying events will be accepted begins at 8 am Central time, December 11, 2006.
4. All others entry date will begin at 8 am Central time 12/18/2006
* Based on a full field at qualifying events.
Southeast Schedule 3/14-15/08 Lake Guntersville Guntersville Sate Park |
Southwest Schedule 2/15-16/08 Toledo Bend Cypress Bend |
For more information, go to www.abaprotour.com