The Texas TBF Federation, just what is it?

I have been asked by some fellow fisherman to pen my thoughts on what we have our hands on. This is definitely not the whole story but probably still longer than what you really want to read. But here goes!

A little history:

The TBF Federation in Texas had to be started in 2007 when the existing federation voted to stay with B.A.S.S. instead of moving over to FLW Outdoors like the majority of other states did. TBF Inc. President Robert Cartlidge set up a meeting in Late Dec. 2006 with any and all that had expressed interests in starting our own Federation. In that meeting we established By - Laws and formed a volunteer BOD (Board of Directors). Since that time our BOD has been working on forming the bare basic foundation of the Federation. What can we do with the smallest of resources as we build for the future? Over the last 2 years we have settled on 4 areas we feel we can continue to do as state leadership to allow the most participation from the broadest population.

1. Conservation -- I will not cover this area because we have a conservation director who is much more up to date and involved with what is going on in the state.

2. Youth, This area for now has been made very simple for us by National TBF. We have been allowed to form a single statewide club for all Jr. anglers 11-18. We conduct ONE state qualifier for those youth and from that tournament, 2 youth will advance to the Jr. Angler World Championship held along side the FLW Cup for the FLW Touring pros. Jr. anglers draw out with pros such as Jay Yelas, Larry Nixon, Clark Wendlandt to name a few. I've seen this tournament first hand, and no one treats their youth better than FLW at this championship, period! Our youth director can expand more on this area.

3. Top 6 Club Championship. This is where you will start to see a difference in what we are doing compared to the other federations. First, this is a stand alone tournament, true top 6 tournament and no advancement abilities provided because of this tournament. It is done in true top 6 format where your 6 man team comes together, fishes together and wins/or not, together.(simply, no draw format) This eliminates the "bed fishing" issue, the "front ending" issue etc... A focus on this tournament to be the biggest and best thing we do will continue now and in the future. Why? This is where we give back to the members for their support and involvement in the TBF. The team entry has been kept low (450) and the CASH pay-back has been at or more than 100% and the sponsor product given away at the 2008 event was $3000.00 +/- not to even mention the "braggin' rights" to the state for 1 whole year. We've provided a different format at this event to allow for some great competition but most importantly great camaraderie. Onsite catered or cooked meals are usual and team strategy sessions during the tournament day have made for some great food/fellowship memories. If you’re not hearing my tone of voice, this event excites me with where it has come from and where it is headed!! Our anglers like this event, our sponsors like giving to this event and I personally like to put this event together and be a part of it! This event will only get bigger and more prestigious as the word gets out!

4. The State Qualifier Tournament. This event has its prize! The coveted State Team positions are decided by this stand alone tournament. It is a draw format, allowing both anglers in the boat control for 1/2 the fishing day. The top 12 anglers are offered the slots to fill our team that heads to the Divisional event. The top 6 anglers are given the option to be the boaters at Divisional and the bottom 6 are the non-boaters. (Divisional is draw format also) The "tournament flow chart" shows the great opportunities to those that qualify for the state team. 1 major bit of information. The entry fee for now has been set at $100/angler. 100% of the entry fees from this tournament are given the 12 man team for the expenses to travel to the divisional event. That event rotates to each state that makes up the central division of the TBF. The 2009 Divisional was at at Lake Dardanelle, AR.

Now that’s the bare bones! If you’re not asleep and really want to understand why your opportunities are greater here with the TBF than any other federation, keep on reading!

I want to add much detail about the last step because this is where the TBF Federation rises above all competitors. Please do not misread my intentions. I personally do not think you have to choose which federation to fish. I believe you can do both as they are opportunities for the fishermen of Texas. I must say however, if studied you'll see where the best benefits lie for the workin' man, weekend fisherman. I have fished 2 federations here in Texas and my opinions are based on my experiences over the last 10 yrs or so of tournament fishing.

Making the state team is a must for every weekender! You've always wondered what it was like, or how good you'll match up. Well, this is it. Texas sponsors its 12 man team with cash for the divisional event. It is a draw tournament and you will not fish with another from Texas. You will be allowed 1/2 the fishing day in control of the boat and water fished. There are 2 tournaments in one going on at the divisional. The team event pits each state against all the others. The total combined weight over 3 days wins the divisional crown. By the way, the cash purse for the divisional event is 6 dollars of every membership the TBF Inc. gets from the central division states. The money is awarded to the team. The other event is for the right to move on to the TBF National Event. 2 anglers from Texas will advance to the TBF National. 1st place on the Texas team (even if its 12th place overall) will be offered the Angler position at TBF National and 2nd place on the Texas team will get the co-angler position. Yes, this is a change from here on out. You will be designated from this point on and cannot step over to the other division. TBF National is a draw format, but only for partners, co-anglers will not get the front of the boat during the tournament and, you will only compete against the other co-anglers. TBF is the only Federation that sends 2 anglers to the National event!

TBF National, the opportunities out of this tournament are many, and will make your head spin! Try and keep up!

1. The top angler in each division (6) and the top co-angler in each division (6) qualify for the BFL All American tournament. This is a no entry fee 1 million dollar event with the anglers fishing for as much as $140K and the co-anglers as much as $70K! The winning angler and co-angler advance to the 2.5 million dollar FLW Cup and compete for the 1 million dollar first place prize, the biggest prize in fishing!!

2. The top co-angler of the TBF National earns a co angler spot in the 2.5 million dollar FLW Cup!

3. The winning angler in the TBF National earns an angler slot in the 2.5 million dollar FLW Cup!! Where they compete for the largest cash prize in competitive bass fishing!! 1 MILLION DOLLARS! But don't stop there! Winning the TBF National earns the angler the "living the dream package" This package consists of a fully sponsored year on the FLW Tour or the FLW Series!! The use of a wrapped Ranger boat and a wrapped pick up truck!! for the events. That's huge; TBF is the only federation sponsoring their National event winner on the pro circuit the following year!

The TBF puts emphasis on the weekend fisherman and allows him to fit into the sport at whatever level he desires! How? You say: There are those anglers with no aspirations to fish larger/ regional events and so forth. They care about the sport, the resource, the future. Great that's where the TBF conservation efforts and youth program fits right along side of them. A great avenue for them to get involved at their own level of choosing. Then, there are those weekenders who really feel they are moving onward and upwards to the pro circuits. No better system is in place to allow these guys the chance to compete on those upper levels. TBF members even get special priority entry into the FLW system of tournaments.

I know this can get a little confusing for those who may be reading about the structure of the Federation for the first time or even the 10th time! I would like all those interested to know, that I'm available to explain, discuss or answer any questions you may have!

Tom Enloe