The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) released the 50-angler field of competitors for the 2011 edition of the tournament today. The 3-day event, to be held at Lake Conroe Oct. 28-30, features the top points-earners from the Bassmaster Elite Series, FLW Tour and PAA Tournament Series who are also members of the PAA, along with the defending champion and four sponsor exemptions.
“The quality of anglers and competition in our tournament is unmatched by any other fishing tournament in the world,” said tournament director Lenny Francoeur. “We have created an event that truly determines the world champion of bass fishing and sets the standard for tournament fish conservation. We want everyone to experience this great event, so we are now offering free tickets to come and enjoy the festivities.”
The field includes 2011 Elite Series Angler of the Year (AOY) and reigning Classic champion Kevin VanDam, FLW Tour AOY David Dudley, Forrest Wood Cup champion Scott Martin and PAA Tournament Series AOY Todd Auten. The sponsors exemptions went to a pair of Texans, Kelly Jordon and Gary Klein, along with David Walker and Team Toyota member Mike Iaconelli.
"There's no firm format for who gets the exemptions, but Toyota wanted the best of who was left to complete the field," Francoeur said. "We definitely think those four help to strengthen it."
Here's the list of competitors:
Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring. Missouri -- Defending Champion
Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, Michigan -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Edwin Evers -- Talala, Oklahoma -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, Alabama -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Ott Defoe -- Knoxville, Tennessee -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Alabama -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, Florida -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Casey Ashley -- Donalds, South Carolina -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Alton Jones -- Waco, Texas -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Keith Poche -- Pike Road, Alabama -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, Alabama -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Chris Lane -- Guntersville, Alabama -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Randy Howell -- Springville, Alabama -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Keith Combs -- Huntington, Texas -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Aaron Martens -- Leeds, Alabama -- Bassmaster Elite Series
Denny Brauer -- Macks Creek, Missouri -- Bassmaster Elite Series
David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Virginia -- FLW Tour
Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, California -- FLW Tour
Mark Rose -- Marion, Arkansas -- FLW Tour
Jason Christie -- Park Hill, Oklahoma -- FLW Tour
Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wisconsin -- FLW Tour
Stacey King -- Reeds Spring, Missouri -- FLW Tour
Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tennessee -- FLW Tour
Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, North Carolina -- FLW Tour
Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Oklahoma -- FLW Tour
Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Florida -- FLW Tour
Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, Indiana -- FLW Tour
Shinichi Fukae -- Palestine, Texas -- FLW Tour
Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, Arkansas -- FLW Tour
Cody Meyer -- Grass Valley, California -- FLW Tour
Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Alabama -- FLW Tour
Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, South Carolina -- PAA Tournament Series
Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, Arkansas -- PAA Tournament Series
Takahiro Omori -- Emory, Texas -- PAA Tournament Series
Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Illinois -- PAA Tournament Series
Gary Yamamoto -- Mineola, Texas -- PAA Tournament Series
Derek Remitz -- Grant, Alabama -- PAA Tournament Series
Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, Oklahoma -- PAA Tournament Series
Terry Butcher -- Talala, Oklahoma -- PAA Tournament Series
Cody Bird -- Granbury, Texas -- PAA Tournament Series
Brian Travis -- Conover, North Carolina -- PAA Tournament Series
Chris Brasher -- Spring, Texas -- PAA Tournament Series
Shane Long -- Sarcoxie, Missouri -- PAA Tournament Series
Gary Clouse -- Lavergne, Tennessee -- PAA Tournament Series
James Watson -- Waynesville, Missouri -- PAA Tournament Series
Harold Allen -- Shelbyville, Texas -- PAA Tournament Series
Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, Texas -- Sponsor Exemption
Gary Klein -- Weatherford, Texas -- Sponsor Exemption
David Walker -- Sevierville, Tennessee -- Sponsor Exemption
Mike Iaconelli -- Pittsgrove, New Jersey -- Sponsor Exemption
For more about the TTBC, including information on how to obtain the limited number of free tickets, click here.
