To All Fish Pittsburgh Members:

I wanted to write a quick note about the benefits of fishing the PA Bass Federation Nation and qualifying for the PA State Classic. When I first started fishing the PA Bass Federation Nation, I did not understand many of the benefits that go along with fishing Federation events. The PA Bass Federation Nation has done a great job of supplementing the angler in their quest for the Bassmaster Classic. It is by far the cheapest way of making the Bassmaster Classic compared to other avenues and other states.

Once you have qualified for the State Classic (62 anglers) through the Statewide Tournaments or Districts, the anglers are competing for 13 spots on the PA Divisional Team. The top six anglers from the State Classic will qualify as boaters for the divisional team. Individuals that finish 7th through 12th will qualify as riders for the divisional team. The 13th place finisher will qualify as the first alternate for the divisional team. Here are a few of the benefits of making the PA Divisional Team:

- The winner and caption of the divisional team receives $1500 (Split into two payments)
- The five other boaters will receive $1250 (Split into two payments)
- The riders and alternate will receive $1000 (Split into two payments)
- Each divisional team member receives a free entrance to the Divisional Team Tournament
- Each divisional team member gets 6 days free in the host hotel for the Divisional Team Tournament
- Each divisional team member receives two jerseys to wear during the tournament
- Each divisional team member receives major discounts from Lowrance, Mercury (oil and quick clean), and Motor Guide
- The winning team at the Mid-Atlantic Divisional Team Tournament receives a Triton boat (PA won this a few years back)

From the Divisional Team Tournament, the PA Bass Federation Nation member with the heaviest weight from the 12 PA anglers will move on to the Federation Championship and represent PA. Here are a few of the benefits of representing the PA Bass Federation Nation in the Federation Championship:

-The PA Bass Federation Nation provides the PA member with $3000 to assist in the cost of the Federation Championship
-The Federation Championship is a free entrance fee
-The hotel is paid for during the week of the Federation Championship by B.A.S.S.
-Each competitor receives a minimum of $250 (prize money) for competing in the tournament
-Several banquets and free dinners during the week
-You are provided with a boat during the week of the tournament
-The overall winner of the Federation Championship receives free entrance fees into the Elite Series for the next season
-The winner from the Mid-Atlantic (division that PA competes in) receives an automatic bid into the Bassmaster Classic (1out of 8 chance)

As you can see, the PA Bass Federation Nation does a great job of supplementing the angler. Once the angler gets past the State Classic in PA, the cost becomes minimal for the angler. PA has sent more Federation anglers to the Bassmaster Classic than any other state and we would like to see this great tradition continue. If you have any questions about this information or would like to join a club in the PA Bass Federation Nation, please contact me at kimmel65@hotmail.com.

Sincerely,

Christopher M. Kimmel
PA Bass Federation Nation
State Tournament Director