Ranger Cup to pour $700,000 on anglers in 2003

FLW, EverStart, BFL, RCL, TTT circuits participating

The 2003 Ranger Cup runneth over with record-breaking payouts. Participating anglers thirsty for some extra tournament-winning proceeds can drink from the $700,000 cup.

As much as $700,000 in contingency awards will be paid to skillful anglers participating in the 2003 Ranger Cup program. About $640,000 in payouts has been awarded so far this year, and the program has put $1.3 million in the pockets of tournament anglers in its history. Ranger Boats introduced a well-received pilot program in 2000, leading to its full-scale implementation in 2001 when about $480,000 was the total payout.

The Ranger Cup program aims to reward Ranger boat owners competing in angling circuits while boosting the company’s exposure on tournament trails.

“It’s just to reward the loyal customers who are there for us,” said Bart Schad, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Ranger Boats.

Total payout is not the only aspect of the Ranger Cup program that has grown steadily: participation this year jumped to about 2,000 anglers from roughly 1,200 in 2001. Schad said pre-registration for 2003, which is “way ahead of last year” at more than 1,100, indicates that the trend will continue.

“It’s really surpassed our expectations,” Schad said of the Ranger Cup program.

Anglers in more than 20 tournament-fishing circuits can participate in the Ranger Cup program. The program extends to eight circuits nationally, including the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the EverStart Series, the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour and the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail:

· Ranger Cup 2003 will include FLW Tour and Citgo Bassmaster events. An angler can fish either circuit or both, but only his top six finishes will be tallied, as tracked by Ranger. The top 10 point earners at the end of the season will be paid a total of $170,000, with the champion earning a $50,000 check.

· Ranger Cup EverStart Series includes all EverStart tournaments, at which Ranger Cup participants who win receive a $3,000 prize. The highest-placing Ranger Cup participant at the championship will win $10,000.

· Ranger Cup Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League includes all BFL tournaments. The highest-placing registered Ranger Cup participant at the BFL All-American will win a 519VS Ranger boat and RangerTrail trailer. Participants who register for the Ranger Cup prior to a BFL tournament will be eligible for a $1,000 cash prize for winning any of the regular-season, wild card or regional tournaments.

· Ranger Cup Walleye encompasses events within the RCL Walleye Tour and the Professional Walleye Trail. Qualifying events include four regular-season RCL events, three regular-season PWT East Division events and three regular-season PWT West Division events. The Ranger Cup participant who accumulates the most points in qualifying events, as tracked by Ranger, wins a Ranger 620VS boat and RangerTrail trailer. Cash prizes totaling $17,000 will be awarded to the Ranger Cup participants finishing second through fifth in the points standings.

· Ranger Cup Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail includes all regular-season events within the TTT. Qualifying events include four regular-season TTT tournaments. The highest-finishing participant in the Pro Division who registers for the Ranger Cup program prior to a TTT tournament will be eligible for a $5,000 cash prize.

Schad said the Ranger Cup program can impact an angler contemplating which circuits he will fish because of the increased potential to earn money in Ranger Cup sanctioned tournaments.

“I think (the Ranger Cup program) really enters into the equation,” Schad said, “when it comes time to lay out their schedule.”

In addition to more exposure at tournaments and through the media, Ranger Boats is likely benefiting from the Cup program in terms of direct sales. Schad said he believes Ranger boats represent “the best products” on the market, but the contingency-award program has created “one more reason to go with Ranger.”

“It has an impact on people,” Schad said of the program. “I think it makes people rethink their boat choice in some cases.

“A few years ago it was just a hunch,” he said. “It’s not just a hunch anymore. We’ve got a lot of feedback to support that.”

The impetus behind creating the various Ranger Cup programs, however, was to reward tournament anglers who remain loyal to Ranger Boats, Schad said. The program has been “very well-received” by participating fishermen, he said, which is not surprising when surveying some of the earnings raked in by participants.

Many tournament fishermen have significantly augmented their incomes due to Ranger Cup success. Aaron Martens of Castaic, Calif., leads the pack with total Ranger Cup earnings of $103,500. Clark Wendlandt of Cedar Park, Texas, has earned the second-highest total amount of $58,500. Dion Hibdon of Stover, Mo., the third all-time Ranger Cup earner, pocketed $50,000 in 2000 alone in only one of the program’s circuit subdivisions.

A major change to the 2003 Ranger Cup program is the shift from a points-standings format to possible payouts for each event in the EverStart Series. In the past only the top 10 participating anglers received checks at the end of the year. Next year the potential exists for participating anglers to be awarded Ranger Cup money at each of the 16 regular-season events as well as at the championship.

In order to have a chance at tasting the contents of the Ranger Cup, anglers must own a Ranger boat, fish from the boat during qualifying tournaments, meet clothing and decal display requirements, and submit a completed registration form prior to the start date of the qualifying event or events in which an angler will be fishing.

Those seeking more information about any of the Ranger Cup programs can call (870) 453-2222 ext. 2247, e-mail [email protected] or visit the Ranger Boats Web site at Rangerboats.com.