HBC- 4 Set for Lake Don Pedro on Friday, March 13, 2009

November 21, 2008


Heavyweight Bass Classic, LLC is pleased to announce that HBC-4 will be held at Lake Don Pedro, California on Friday, March 13, 2009. The event will again feature the HBC's very popular One-Fish, Big-Fish, Winner-Takes-All format, with $10,000 going to the winner, based on a full field of 50 anglers. The HBC-4 winner will also receive a custom handcrafted HBC-4 Champion belt valued at over $1,000. The angler entry fee for HBC-4 is $250.

"The HBC was born in California and we have always intended to have events in California," notes HBC director Ron Cervenka. "But we are also still planning to have HBC-3 at Lake Amistad, Texas in the near future, which is why we are calling the Don Pedro event HBC-4. We also still plan to take the HBC nationwide, as well. Make no mistake about it, the HBC is alive and well," adds Cervenka.

"It was a toss-up between the Delta and Don Pedro for HBC-4," says HBC co-founder Ken Huddleston. "We all know how great the fishing can be at the Delta in March, but every true trophy bass hunter knows that Don Pedro is one of the best trophy bass lakes in the entire country, especially in March. I seriously believe that we will see several double-digit bass come to the scales at this one," Huddleston adds.

"...every true trophy bass hunter knows that Don Pedro is one of the best trophy bass lakes in the entire country..." Ken Huddleston

Nestled in the oak-lined rolling hills of California's historic mother lode country, Lake Don Pedro is California's fifth largest man-made reservoir. Originally impounded in 1923, the lake was significantly increased in size with the completion of New Don Pedro Dam in 1971. The reservoir has approximately 160 miles of structure-filled shoreline with approximately 13,000 surface acres of water. The current lake record largemouth bass at Don Pedro is 18 lb 9 oz caught by Rod Martin on April 9, 2003. Martin's huge bass missed making it on the coveted Top-25 largest bass of all time list by a mere 6 ounces.

The current lake record largemouth bass at Don Pedro is 18 lb 9 oz caught by Rod Martin on April 9, 2003.

"There is no doubt in my mind that this (Don Pedro) tournament will set a new HBC big bass record, a record that will probably stand for a long time," says Gary Dobyns about HBC-4. "Don Pedro is loaded with trout-eating Giants. I am going to do everything humanly possible to fit this one into my schedule, that's for sure," adds the West's all-time leading tournament money winner.

(Photo by Chris Shaffer)

"There is no doubt in my mind that this (Don Pedro) tournament will set a new HBC big bass record..." Gary Dobyns

As in the past, HBC-4 will again utilize Volunteer Tournament Officials, who will see to it that their respective anglers follow all of the rules. They will also be asked to film their anglers in action, with the VTO shooting the most footage receiving a special award. There is no entry fee for VTOs and each will receive a tackle pack loaded with great products from the HBC sponsors. There is a WON BASS Mother Lode Region team tournament scheduled for Lake Don Pedro the day after HBC-4 and a WON BASS Rookie Teams event scheduled for the day after that. What better way to prepare for these two tournaments than by being a VTO for HBC-4.

HBC-4 will again offer a $50 "Gas Money Option" for anglers and a $20 "Lucky Dog Option" for VTOs. The Gas Money Option will be paid back to the three highest finishing anglers entered in the option (at 50%, 30%, and 20%). The Lucky Dog Option will have a slightly different twist to it for HBC-4. Each VTO entering the Lucky Dog Option will draw the name of an HBC-4 angler out of a hat. The three VTOs drawing the names of the three highest finishing anglers will win the Lucky Dog Option (at 50%, 30%, and 20%). Entry into the Gas Money Option and the Lucky Dog Option will take place during check-in on the morning of the event.

The Top-20 anglers from HBC-2 and the Top-20 anglers in the HBC point standings receive Priority Entry status into HBC-4. Priority Entries will be accepted beginning Monday, January 5, 2009 at 8:00 AM PST through Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 11:59 PM PST. Priority Entry anglers who have not entered by the Priority Entry deadline will forfeit their slot to the Open Entry slots. Priority Entry Anglers who are on both Top-20 lists will give one of their slots to the Open Entry slots. A list of the Top-20 anglers from HBC-2 and the Top-20 anglers in the HBC point standings can be found under the "Results" tab on the HBC website at www.heavyweightbassclassic.com.

Open Entries will be accepted beginning Monday, January 19, 2009 at 8:00 AM PST until the 50 Angler field is filled. Once the angler field is filled, an angler waiting list will be established in the order in which the angler waiting list entries are received (by date and time).

Volunteer Tournament Official Entries will be accepted beginning Monday, January 19, 2009 at 8:00 AM PST until the 50 VTO field is filled. Once the VTO field is filled, a VTO waiting list will be established in the order in which the VTO waiting list entries are received (by date and time).

Angler and VTO entries into HBC-4 will only be accepted on-line via the HBC website. The entire $250 angler entry fee is due at the time of entry. No deposits or partial payments will be accepted.