Ranger M1 Millennium contestants eye $1 million
CYPRESS GARDENS, Fla. – The field has been cut to 50 in the $3.6 million Ranger Millennium M1 bass tournament as the sport’s best anglers advance to round two in the world’s richest fishing event, taking another step toward winning the biggest cash prize in fishing history, $1 million.
Leading the charge with a two-day total of 16 pounds, 9 ounces is Jim Bitter of Fruitland Park, Fla. David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., the first day leader had enough weight from day one to qualify for the second round’s top 50 as well.
“My dad said I was crazy about wanting to fish professionally,” Fritts says. “But I knew that if I did good, I could earn more than I could changing tires.”
Ten years and $1.6 million after quitting his $12,000 per year job at the local tire shop, Fritts certainly has no regrets about turning pro. “My dream is to win this thing,” he says. “It’s bigger than the Super Bowl.”
Fritts feels, however, that there is more to come from professional bass fishing. “We’re still not on top as far as this sport is going to go. Someday, they will all be million dollar tournaments.”
On the co-angler side, Edward Miller of Ft. Wayne, Ind., is leading the pack with a two-day catch weighing 13 pounds, 1 ounce. And Beverly Little of Greensboro, N.C., won big bass for the day with a 5 pound, 2 ounce largemouth to earn $2,500.
Little is one of two female anglers to make the top 50 cut and advance to round two. “Today, I won my new counter tops,” she says. “Tomorrow, I’m working on the stove and carpet.” Linda Danforth of Odessa, Fla., also advanced.
Paul Neumann of Plymouth, Minn., took big bass honors in the Pro Division for day two with a 4 pound, 15 ounce largemouth. He receives $5,000 for the catch.
The Ranger Millennium champion in the Pro Division is guaranteed $400,000 and could win an additional $600,000 if he or she meets sponsor bonus requirements. The winner of the Co-Angler Division is guaranteed $150,000 and could win an additional $100,000 in sponsor bonus money. The total purse for the Ranger Millennium M1 could reach $3.6 million with second place finishers in the Pro and Co-Angler Divisions receiving at least $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.
During Saturday’s second round of competition, the 50 pro and 50 co-anglers will start from zero and fish for one day to determine who advances to Sunday’s final round. Only competitors placing in the top 10 spots (based on heaviest catch) will advance to the final round, which will be broadcast live on FOX Sports from 2:30 to 4 p.m. EST.
Emmy-winning Major League Baseball play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and former all-star catcher and MLB on FOX baseball analyst Bob Brenly will call the action, along with expert commentary from fishing legend and Ranger Boats founder, Forrest L. Wood. The live broadcast is the first of its kind in network television history, exposing tournament fishing to its largest audience ever.
Saturday’s weigh-ins begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Lake Eloise Amphitheater, Cypress Gardens, Fla. And Sunday’s final round Pro Division weigh-in begins at 3:45 p.m. at the Lake Eloise Amphitheater. Anglers are allowed to weigh five fish each day. Following each weigh-in, the fish are released alive back into the Winter Haven chain of lakes.
The Family Fun Zone and Outdoor show featuring seminars from pro anglers, an in-water Ranger boat show, a catch and release pond, casting contests, a paintball range, and remote control race cars will be open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Banyan Area, Cypress Gardens. Discount admission coupons are available at Wal-Mart stores and CITGO dealers. People may call 800-282-2123 ext. 289 for additional information.
Sponsors of the Ranger Millennium M1 tournament are Wal-Mart, Ranger Boats, CITGO Petroleum, Evinrude Outboards, Garmin, and Watkins Inc. Associate sponsors are Black & Decker, Coca-Cola, EverStart Batteries, Eveready Flashlights, Land O’ Lakes, Wheaties, Hamburger Helper, Chex Mix, Fujifilm, Uniroyal, Wrangler, Coleman, Chevy Trucks, Fenwick, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Timex, Poulan/Weed Eater, and VISA
The Ranger Millennium M1, run by Operation Bass Inc., the world’s largest bass tournament organization, is a catch and release event. Operation Bass, headquartered in Gilbertsville, Ky., historically maintains a 98 percent live release rate.