The "Race for the Cup" perpetual trophy is currntly located at:
SAV-ON TACKLE, 9917 Orr & Day Road, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670. Drop by and check it out!

..........The concept for Salt Water Bass Anglers and the “Race for the Cup” series drew from the well of tournaments that had been independently organized and directed by both Eric Bent and James Shamblin. We both had put on a number of tournaments from Dana Point to Long Beach, California using artificial lures and incorporating a live weigh-in format.

....Collectively, the tournaments drew an average of 15-20 teams, and the competitive yet friendly environment that prevailed was well received by the anglers who participated. This was evident from the high level of angler retention. Additionally, those individual tournaments attracted a good amount of attention from the local tackle stores and tackle manufacturers.

....With the apparent success of these tournaments, we discussed creating a year long series of events in which competitors would accumulate points throughout the season.

....It wasn't long before the vision became a reality . The phone conversations drove the phone bills through the roof while we talked about formats, rules, advertisement, dates, venues, etc. In a nutshell, we tried our best to organize a series of well-run, competitive, yet fun, saltwater tournaments that would incorporate the stricter formats that some of the better-known freshwater circuits employed successfully. The challenge was how to best combine the concepts and still keep the anglers interested.

....We achieved this by trying to diversify, as much as possible, the venues in which the tournaments would be held. Keeping the playing field level was one of our main concerns knowing the teams competing in these tournaments would be using boats ranging from 12 to 24 feet in length. The goal was to design a series that would accommodate both ends of the spectrum; i.e., two inner water events, where the more nimble features of the smaller boats would excel, and two outer events, where the larger, faster boats would have the edge ; then we scheduled a finale that would accommodate both.

"It has been and still remains our practice to organize well-run, environmentally friendly, affordable events that are fun to fish, competitive, and held on a level playing field."

....Another goal was to organize the series so that it would be beneficial not only to the anglers competing but to the fishing industry as well. We tried to create a platform in which tackle manufacturers and stores could donate products for raffles and receive immediate feedback based upon the usage of those products in local waters. By including free raffles at every event, the angler (s) could get a chance to test products they might not have considered prior to fishing the series.

"These tournaments, however, weren't just about catching fish."

....We tried to remain conscious of any impact such a series might have on ecosystems and the targeted species. By working with the DFG's Back Bay Science Center , and others, gathering information by the tagging and releasing of Spotted Bay Bass back into Newport Bay . W e hope to educate anglers as well as ourselves about the waters and species of Bass that we enjoy fishing. We also established weigh-in sites that were closely located to the tournament fishing grounds which best matched the local water conditions. All fish , after being weighed , were to be returned to the anglers, when possible, for release into the waters in which they were originally taken .

....Overall , the main motivation for organizing the “Race for the Cup” series is simply for the camaraderie and the love of the sport. It has been and still remains our practice to organize well-run, environmentally friendly, affordable events that are fun to fish, competitive, and held on a level playing field.

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