GADSDEN, AL---October 25, 2018--- The Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series (ABTTS) is bringing the Championship of the 2018 Tournament Trail Series to the waters of Neely Henry Lake on October 25 and 26, 2018. Hosted by the City of Gadsden Parks and Recreation Department and Greater Gadsden Area Tourism, the tournament is attracting over 360 amateur anglers from across the southeastern United States, and is expected to generate approximately $250,000 in economic impact for the Gadsden area and Etowah County.

Take-off is set for approximately 6 a.m. each day, and weigh-in begins at 2 p.m. at Coosa Landing. Take-off and weigh-ins are free and open to the public. Registration and briefing will take place at The Venue at Coosa Landing, Gadsden’s new special event facility at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 24th.

According to Alabama Bass Trail’s Program Director Kay Donaldson, the tournament is expected to pump an estimated $250,000 into the local economy through revenue generated by anglers and their family members via dining, shopping, and overnighting in local hotels and motels.

Greater Gadsden Area Tourism credits tournaments like the ABTTS with helping the local economy. “While the anglers are in town, many with family members, they are buying fuel for their boat and tow vehicle, tackle and supplies, lodging, food, and other products and services,” says Tourism Director Hugh Stump III. Many anglers come to town in the days before the tournament to pre-fish and work out patterns for the tournament day.

Sanctioned by BASS (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society), the tournament trail features two divisions: Northern and Southern. Each division is made up of five tournaments on five different lakes. The maximum number of boats is 225, and each tournament will have a $10,000 guaranteed first place prize and will pay 20 places.

The Championship can see as many as 200 boats, and is a two-day event. The boat limits are comprised of the top 50 teams in points from both divisions that fished all five events in their respective divisions, along with the top 25 student boats collectively from both divisions that fished all five events in their respective division.

For more information: Program Director Kay Donaldson at 855.934.7425 or visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.