Mercury Pro Paul Elias wins the Bassmaster Elite Series Lone Star Shootout

Zapata, Texas (April 7, 2008) – Mercury and MotorGuide professional angler Paul Elias, 56, won the Bassmaster Elite Series Lone Star Shootout in Zapata, Texas, Sunday with a combined weight of 132 pounds, eight ounces. Elias’ winning weight broke the BASS four-day, five-bass limit record.

Elias jumped from fifth place on the final day of the four-day tournament to win the event by a mere four ounces over fellow Mercury and MotorGuide teammate Terry Scroggins to claim the $100,000 first-place check on the Falcon Lake.

"I had the best day on the water that I’ve had in 32 years of tournament fishing," said Elias.

In fact, all 12 anglers in Sunday’s final round surpassed the 100-pound mark.

Ten of the top 12 finishers at the Lone Star Shootout were powered by Mercury engines and MotorGuide trolling motors. Elias was following by Mercury and MotorGuide teammates Scroggins, second, 132 pounds, four ounces; Byron Velvick, third, 131 pounds, 15 ounces; Aaron Martens, fourth, 129 pounds, seven ounces; Scott Rook, sixth, 125 pounds, ten ounces; Scott Campbell, seventh, 120 pounds, one ounce; Jason Williamson, eighth, 118 pounds, two ounces; Ben Matsubu, ninth, 114 pounds, 13 ounces; Casey Ashley, tenth, 113 pounds, three ounces; and Rick Morris, twelfth, 108 pounds, seven ounces.

For the first time in Bassmaster history, pro anglers can fish from their own boats and with their own engines in all 2008 Bassmaster tournaments.

The Lone Star Shootout is the third of 11 events in the 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series, considered the most visible and prominent tournament trail in the world.

The next Bassmaster Elite Series event – Battle on the Border – is slated for April 10-13 on Lake Amistad in Del Rio, Texas.