Three Oklahomans among 49 anglers on the river practicing today for Bassmaster Classic
BY KELLY BOSTIAN World Outdoors Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
2/22/12 at 2:08 PM
SHREVEPORT, La. - Forty-nine qualifiers launched from Red River South Marina and Resort near Shreveport at 7 a.m. today, the final practice day of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.
Oklahomans Edwin Evers of Talala, Fred Roumbanis of Bixby and Jeff Kriet of Ardmore are among those in the hunt for the prestigious title and $500,000 top prize.
The tournament, known as The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing, brought record-setting attendance to the city in 2009, with over 100,000 spectators and Expo attendees. The tournament comes to Grand Lake and Tulsa in February 2013.
Competition runs Friday through Sunday with the field cut to the top 25 fishing in Sunday's finale.
Anglers were relieved to have a pleasant day and warming water conditions to practice one more day. Fishermen were soaked with rain and cold temperatures during official practice days last weekend.
A cold front is rolling into the area again for the tournament days but no severe weather is predicted.
"Fishing in the tournament should be much better than it was during practice," Evers said as he explored potential fishing holes Wednesday.
"Its going to take 17, 18 pounds a day (in a 5-Fish limit) to win," Evers said.
Associated Images:
Fred Roumbanis fishes on the Red River during a practice round for the Bassmaster Classic Wednesday in Shreveport, La. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
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