A very busy 2005 bass tournament season is in store for local anglers.

Several event organizers have released their schedules. Bass tournaments generally run from February through September. In addition to the annual open tournaments, there are several circuits coming to our area.

The bass circuits are basically a series of five or more events held in different areas across the states. Contestants earn points within their division that could possibly lead to a berth in a championship fish-off.

Next year two separate divisions of a national tournament organization called Team Supreme have events scheduled on our area lakes. The Central Louisiana Division will cast-off at Lake Bruin out of Lake Bruin Marina on Feb. 6.

After Lake Bruin monthly stops will include False River, St. John, Old River Morganza and back to Lake Bruin for the final qualifying event.

The Team Supreme Northeast LA Division will host events on Bruin, Turkey Creek, Concordia, St. John and Lake Providence. Top point leaders from these and other state events will compete in a championship tournament in the spring of 2006. The Team Supreme events offer local anglers a chance to fish a circuit close to home.

On a much larger scale, the new ESPN Outdoors BASSMASTERS Series sponsored by Triton Boats will host five tournaments in Mississippi and five in Louisiana. The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) is well known for hosting professional events with large payouts. With ESPN Outdoors covering the series, anglers will receive a ton of publicity.

The ESPN/BASS Series is geared toward the working class angler. The circuit will offer the weekend tournament angler a chance to compete for big bucks that could ultimately land you a spot in the prestigious BASSMASTER’S Classic. Each state’s regional championship will be held in a neighboring state on neutral waters.

The Louisiana Division will cast-off in February on the Atchafalya Basin. From there scheduled stops include Bayou Segnette, Ouchita River, Bayou Black and Red River. The Louisiana regional championship will be held at Columbus on the Columbus Pool of the Tenn/Tom Waterway.

The Mississippi Division kicks off on Ross Barnett near Jackson. Other stops include Pickwick, Columbus Pool, Ferguson and back to Ross Barnett. The Mississippi regional championship will be held on the Red River out of Natchitohes, La.

Based on a full field the new ESPN/BASS. Circuit will pay out $3,456,000.

Eddie Roberts writes a weekly fishing column for The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at

fishingwitheddie@highstream.net

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