By Dawn Burleigh

dawn.burleigh@orangeleader.com

Orange will host the Bass Champs 2016 Team Championship Tournament October 5-9, 2016.

Orange County Commissioners Court were asked for approval of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce to receive Hotel Motel Tax Funds for the event.

Over 500 anglers are expected to participate in the tournament which will also be featured on two nationally televised Bass Champs shows to air on The World Fishing Network (WFN) and Fox Sports Southwest in 2017 featuring the championship, the area activities, the Sabine River, Lodging, Area History, etc.

There are over 600 qualified anglers (300 teams) from all across Texas and surrounding states. In order to qualify they were required to compete in the 4 qualifying events in their region. Historically anglers bring an average of 1.5 friends and family members to championship events. The event is featuring several of the top anglers in Texas and surrounding states.

Based on an independent survey held by the Texas Parks and Wildlife department, the economic impact of a Bass Champs tournament in a specific area averages over $500,000 for a one-day event. The proposed Championship on the Sabine River is a 5-day event. Expected economic impact for Orange County/ Sabine River area is over $2 Million in addition to the media value.

Founded in 1997, Bass Champs, Inc. is the nation’s largest and richest grass roots fishing tournament organization. Bass Champs is the only grass roots tournament organizer to provide national television exposure for its anglers and sponsors. Bass Champs awards over $2,000,000 per year in cash and prizes to its participants. The average number of competitors in each Bass Champs event is over 500 men and women with some events boasting over 1800 anglers, according to a proposal presented by Bass Champs Championship.

The event is named Bass Champs 2016 Team Championship – Sabine River.

Two person teams will fish for over $200,000 in minimum Guaranteed Cash and Prizes, including Two Skeeter Boat and cash awards.

Bass Champs, Inc., founded in 1997, is the nation’s largest and richest grass roots fishing tournament organization. It is the only grass roots tournament organizer to provide national television exposure for its anglers and sponsors. Bass Champs awards over $2,000,000 per year in cash and prizes to its participants. The average number of competitors in each Bass Champs event is over 500 men and women with some events boasting over 1800 anglers. Bass Champs hosts over 30 events per year, mainly in Texas. Since 1997 Bass Champs has given away over $27,000,000 in cash and prizes including over 175 bass boats, 90 ATV’s, and 35 trucks.