McClelland Heavyweight Champ

Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., collected enough pounds and ounces of bass throughout the Bassmaster Elite Series season to win the 2008 Berkley Heavyweight Award. McClelland, who should finish in the top three in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race Sunday, received $20,000 for his Berkley Heavyweight effort at the season-ending Champion’s Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide on Oneida Lake out of Syracuse, N.Y.

Introduced in 2007 to the Bassmaster Elite Series, the Berkley Heavyweight Award is presented to the angler who catches the heaviest total weight of bass through the first two days of all 11 Elite Series events of the season.

McClelland’s final Berkley Heavyweight tally was 368 pounds, 9 ounces. That was nearly 16 pounds better than the weight posted by runner-up Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., the 2008 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. VanDam, who won the inaugural Berkley Heavyweight Award in 2007, earned $10,000 for this year’s second-place effort.

“It’s cool to win this award,” said McClelland, who made the top-12 cut Saturday and will compete Sunday for the Champion’s Choice trophy and $100,000 first-place prize. “It’s a true test, bringing in the most weight while going up against a full field of competitors the first two days of competition at every event – more than 100 pros.”

Helping McClelland’s cause was his season-opening victory at the Sunshine Showdown on the Harris Chain of Lakes out of Leesburg, Fla. Through the first two days, McClelland had more than 30 pounds. 

Finishing third in the Berkley Heavyweight standings was Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, with 344 pounds, 0 ounces. He won $5,000.

 

2008 Berkley Heavyweight Award

1. Mike McClelland 368-9 $20,000

2. Kevin VanDam 352-10 $10,000

3. Todd Faircloth 344-0 $5,000

 

 

Tahoe Smokeless Sponsors McClelland

Rock Bridge Tobacco Corporation, manufacturer of Tahoe Smokeless is proud to announce its upcoming sponsorship of Mike McClelland who is currently leading the B.A.S.S. Elite Series AOY (Angler of Year) race.  Tahoe Smokeless will serve as McClelland’s primary sponsor at the Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake, Gilbertsville, KY on June 12th – 15th.  McClelland’s boat will be wrapped in the bright green and black Tahoe Smokeless branding.

The owner’s of Rock Bridge Tobacco Corporation, bass fishermen themselves, recognize McClelland’s talent in the growing sport of bass fishing.  It only seemed fitting for America’s Best Tasting Snuff to sponsor McClelland, an avid user of smokeless tobacco and leading angler in the BASS Elite Series.

McClelland has had a very successful season thus far.  His 1st place win at the Sunshine Showdown put him in a great position early on.  He has maintained his position at the top of the standings for Bassmaster AOY (Angler of Year).  “I am very excited to work with a company that is as passionate about bass fishing as I am.  I enjoy using Tahoe Smokeless and I am proud to wear their name on my jersey.”

New Tahoe Smokeless is made with 100% American tobacco and is available in 5 styles:   Long Cut Wintergreen, Fine Cut Wintergreen, Long Cut Natural, Fine Cut Natural, and Long Cut Straight.  To learn more about Rock Bridge Tobacco Corporation call 1-888-736-8853.  To learn more about Tahoe Smokeless and its other sponsorships including Hooter’s Pro Cup, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and Tahoe Pro Rodeo visit TahoeSmokeless.com.