Oakley Big Bass Tour heading to North Carolina

4/16/2010 9:28:37 AM

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Based at Midtown Sundries on Lake Norman, the 1st Annual Carolina Big Bass Classic comes to Lake Norman on May 15-16, 2010, offering amateur anglers the chance to compete for over $100,000 in possible cash and prizes in this open big bass event. The amateur angler with the largest overall big bass will take home a 2010 Nitro Z8 valued at more than $33,000. One Day Entry Fee is $100 and Two Day Entry Fee is $150.

The overall grand prize is guaranteed regardless of entries."We are excited to bring this tournament format to North Carolina," says Keith Odom, of Oakley Big Bass Tour. "Our partners and sponsors have done an incredible job in helping establish this tournament and we look forward to an outstanding event."

The Carolina Big Bass Classic will be open to all amateur anglers. Anglers will compete for thousands in hourly cash payouts throughout the two-day event. There will be seven hourly weigh-ins each day with the largest overall big bass of the event earning the winner a 2010 Nitro Z8. The first 100 anglers to pre-register for this event will receive a free custom Carolina Rod valued at $150.

Anglers may pre-register for this event online at www.oakleybigbass.com.

Anglers may also register by phone, fax or mail. Additionally, mandatory event registrations will be held at Bass Pro Shops in Concord on Thursday May 13th from 5-9pm and on Friday May 14th from 9am-9pm. There will be prize drawings and giveaways throughout the registration days on Thursday and Friday. Anglers may pick up registration forms at Bass Pro Shops in Concord or at Foothills Marine in Morganton.

Oakley's Rolling O Lab http://www.oakley.com/community/olab will be onsite at Bass Pro Shops in Concord on Thursday May 13th and Friday May 14th. Saturday and Sunday weigh-ins will take place at the Oakley Main Stage at Midtown Sundries on Lake Norman. The public is welcome at the live hourly weigh-ins from 8am-3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Late registrations will be available on Saturday and Sunday from 4:30am-6:30am at the Blythe Landing ramp. Anglers may launch from any location on the lake but must be registered in advance in order to compete.

"We are thrilled to be involved in creating this unique tournament format," said Louis Wellen, with Oakley Sports Marketing.

"This partnership allows Oakley the ability to interact with the grassroots anglers who drive this sport and educate them on

the superior advantages that Oakley's HDO Technology can provide them when competing on the water."

Sponsors of the Carolina Big Bass Classic include: Oakley, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lock-n-Haul, Quantum, Lake Fork Trophy Lures, Power-Pole, Foothills Marine and The Ryan Newman Foundation. Oakley is a worldwide leader in performance optics including premium sunglasses, goggles and prescription eyewear.

Headquartered in Southern California, the company's optics brand portfolio includes Fox Racing, Mosley Tribes, Oliver Peoples and Paul Smith Spectacles. In addition to its worldwide wholesale business, Oakley operates retail locations including Oakley Stores and The Optical Shop of Aspen. The company also offers a wide selection of Oakley-branded technical and active apparel, footwear, watches and accessories. Additional information is available at www.oakley.com.

The Oakley Big Bass Tour is a premier big bass tournament series open to all amateur anglers. They provide anglers of all skill levels with an exciting tournament format and event experience on some of the nations best bass fisheries. Established in 2007, the tour is focused on the promotion of bass fishing and bass conservation at the grassroots level through our tournament events. Our founders and event staff have over a decade of experience organizing and hosting bass fishing tournament events. For further information, please contact us at (877) 958-TOUR or visit us on the web at www.oakleybigbass.com.