Lewisville, Texas, May 25 - Collegiate bass anglers, fishing fans and top pro anglers gathered at the Ft. Worth Cabela's store on Memorial Day to kick off the 2009 BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship.  Upon arrival, each team was given a $100 shopping spree courtesy of Cabela's. The event kicked off in the afternoon with seminars from top touring pros including Clark Wendlandt, Jeff Kriet, Sean Hoernke, Kelly Jordon, Mike Hawkes, Dave Smith and Wade Middleton.  BASS Elite Series Pro, Jeff Kriet commented "This is my fourth year supporting the event and it's one of the highlights of the entire week. Providing the kids advice while they shop and giving them tips is a great way to get to know them."
   
The pros were on hand to greet the collegiate anglers,provide fishing tips and critique their buying decisions. "We just spent about 30 minutes with Sean Hoernke who showed us how to tie a better knot to join braided line and monofilament.  It's really a great help to get information such as that from these pros who fish everywhere," stated Bodie Drake representing the University of Arkansas.  Bodie and his partner Kazuki Kitajima, who has since graduated, won the event on Lake Lewisville in 2008.
 
As he collected his team's gift card, Arizona State's Brent Perkins said "We drove 16 hours to get here and we're ready to fish now!"  Many of the anglers,  including the Arizona State team, have been in Texas the last few days sampling the fishing on other area lakes prior to practice period for the event which starts on Tuesday, May 26 at safe light.
 
For more information and constant updates on the event this week visit www.collegiatebasschampionship.com.