"HILL AND SONS TOURNAMENTS"

How many times have you entered the big "Bass Tournament" knowing you have a better chance of getting hit by lighting than winning that boat, truck, or cash prize. The problem is, you are going against the best when the top prizes are offered. There is no doubt that bass anglers come in a variety of skill levels. So why isn’t there different levels of competition? Well I’ve got news for you, there is.

Ray Hill, owner of Hill and Sons Marine and 1998-1999 "Angler of the Year" in the Western Outdoor News (W.O.N.) Bass Circuit, understands this dilemma. Hill, a bass pro of twenty-four years, has established an "Angler Rating System" to rate and handicap team tournament anglers on his seven tournament circuit. Angler Rating Approval Forms were sent out to 125 members in preparation for the fall 2000 circuit. With support from Ranger Boats, OMC, Mercury, and other sponsors, Hill created a State Oversight Committee, which will review the forms and give anglers numbered ratings from 1 (Novice) to 9 (Pro). The ratings are based on achieved skill levels based on the accomplishments and history of each fisherman. At the tournaments teams will be entered into one of four classifications (5,7,9,or 11). To determine which class a team is in, you simply add the anglers ratings together. So a boater with a 6 rating and a non-boater with a 3 rating would be in class 9. No team can fish a Hill tournament with a combined rating over 11. This system gives the average angler much better odds to win the higher payouts since Hill is offering equal payouts to all four classes.

Hill hopes to bring his tournaments to other western states in 2000 and eventually plans to take it to a national level. For more information on the Hill and Sons Tournaments or to receive your Angler Rating Approval Form, call Hill and Sons Marine at (602) 272-7300. Oh and when you call be sure to tell Ray where you heard about it.  Thanks pards and good luck.

Kip Pollay