The Barnett Reservoir Foundation, site-coordinating sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament, is raffling two Marshall positions — unique “ride-along” opportunities with pro anglers — for the event April 27-30 at Madison Landing and Old Trace Park in Ridgeland.
Raffle tickets are $20 each, or three for $50 or eight for $100, and will be sold during February. The drawing will take place on March 1.
The Marshall program is an important facet of the Elite Series, with the public serving as official observers and non-fishing partners of the 111 professional anglers in this top echelon of pro bass fishing. Marshals not only act as rules observers but also as contacts providing up-to-the-minute reports to the BASS media back at the weigh-in site.
It is an opportunity for true bass fishing nuts to learn by spending at least two days in the boat with an Elite angler. The Marshal positions are normally filled on a first-come, first-serve application process held each year prior to the Elite season. The cost to be a Marshal is $150 per event, and the waiting list is long.
“The only two remaining open Marshal spots are the two that BASS assigns to the local sponsor,” said Foundation president Dale Sheppard. “Ridgeland Tourism Commission forwarded them to us to raffle to help offset our costs of hosting the Elite and the accompanying Outdoor Expo at The Rez, presented by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.”
The Foundation is a private, 501(c)(3) organization that supports the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, the state agency that manages Barnett Reservoir.
The raffle is only open to people 18 years of age or older, and winners of the Marshal positions must meet BASS requirements, mainly being BASS members. Entrants may purchase as many tickets as desired but are only eligible to win one position. Winning tickets cannot be transferred to another person once the paperwork has been submitted to BASS, and the position cannot be shared.
Marshals must be prepared for two full days of duty, Thursday April 27 and Friday April 28. There is no guarantee of being selected for the third day. That discretion lies strictly with BASS. The full field of 111 anglers will be cut to 50 on Day 3.
Tickets are available at Pearl River Valley Water Supply District office at 115 Madison Landing Circle, Ridgeland MS; at the Annual Barnett Reservoir Bass Fishery Update Meeting Feb. 9 at Turcotte Lab or by contacting Bobby Cleveland at (601) 506-0739 during normal business hours or emailing bobbyc7754@yahoo.com.
RULES: BRF Raffle rules
