Alabama Bass Trail generates $3.1M in economic benefits

Anglers prepare for weigh-in after an Alabama Bass Trail event at Lake Guntersville. The tournament series now generates over $3 million annually for host cities, according to organizers.

The Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) recently completed its third year, and according to program director Kay Donaldson, the tournament series, modeled in part on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, has exceeded all expectations. The tournaments are one-day events held at top bass lakes around the state, with two-angler teams competing to weigh in the heaviest five bass. Alabama is the home of B.A.S.S. and is known as the origin of modern big-money bass tournaments.

Donaldson said the total economic impact for the Tournament Series in 2017 exceeded $3.1 million, up from $2.8 million in 2016.

"The Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series continues to produce an impressive economic impact for Alabama," said Donaldson. "We understand our host cities can pick and choose the events they host and we are thrilled that they continue to work with the ABT."

The economic impact figure is gathered from surveys completed by anglers at the conclusion of each tournament. In 2017, an average of 70% of the anglers completed the survey, which includes lodging, food, fuel, shopping and other expenses.

The tournament impacts all areas of the host city, Donaldson said. Anglers and their companions generate overnight stays in local hotels at each tournament, and when not competing, they explore area restaurants, retail and entertainment options.

Tournaments in 2017 were held on Lake Jordan, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lake Eufaula, Lake Martin, Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Cooter's Pond, Lay Lake and Lake Guntersville. The championship tournament took place on Logan Martin Lake.

"The ABT has proven its economic impact on the communities where the tournaments are held. Cities and fisheries continue to show their desire to be added to the tournament trail. In 2018, the ABT is adding the Alabama Bass Trail Open tournament to the schedule and we expect to fill the field of 250 boats per region shortly after registration opens. That is a testament to the hard work of the ABT professional staff and the economic impact of tournament fishing in Alabama," said ABT Chairman of the Board Hugh A. Stump III.

Kay Donaldson said the southern division of next year's trail sold out in 38 days, while the northern division already has 185 entries. The events award $10,000 in cash to the winning team of each event, as well as a fully-rigged Phoenix bass boat to the championship winners. Entry is $1300 per team covering all five events in the regular season in each region.

The Alabama Bass Trail is a program operated by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Its mission is to promote Alabama as a year-round fishing destination, to preserve natural resources for generations to come, and to educate high school and college-aged students to be good stewards of natural resources. For more information on the ABT and the Tournament Series, call Donaldson at 855.9FISHAL or visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.

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