The Berkley Big Bass Challenge comes to Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island May 22 and 23, providing anglers an exciting and inexpensive event on a body of water known nationwide for producing big fish – and promising a big payback. The Challenge also features southern-style barbecue, music, seminars and numerous vendor booths.

The competition pits angling skill against weigh-in strategy, inspiring many past participants to dub it bass fishing’s version of Texas hold ’em. During each hour – for six hours – anglers who catch a big fish must decide to either cash in their catch for a chance at that hour’s big-fish money, or hold ’em and opt to bring their big bass to the scales the following hour and grab a piece of that hour’s cash bounty. A tidy $1,350 is paid out each hour, including $500 to the angler with the biggest fish. Those anglers also qualify as Super 12 finalists for the event’s grand finale, when each will receive an ignition key – one of which starts the engine of a new Toyota Tundra truck, courtesy of Tracy Toyota

The entry fee is $155 for the two-day event; $105 for a single day. Only Berkley baits are allowed to be used during the two-day competition. Anglers arriving Friday, the day before the event at Russo’s Marina, will also have the opportunity to attend seminars hosted by Berkley pro staff. The Berkley Experience trailer, a 70-foot-plus rolling event center, will be stationed at Russo’s Marina that Friday until the final weigh-in and awards on Sunday, offering interactive presentation screens, Wii video games, a knot-tying station and competition, plus bait demonstration tanks. The Hook, Line & Sinker staff will be on duty in the big event tent to help participants pick up some of Berkley’s latest products. Everyone is invited to save their empty Berkley Gulp! and Powerbait bags for the raffle at the end of event. Bags may be traded in for raffle tickets.

For those desiring to fish with their kids, the Challenge offers a separate youth division (16 and under). For a $25 entry fee, youth can compete for the Youth Division trophy, prizes, and a guided day trip on the Delta with Berkley pro Randy Pringle – “The Fishing Instructor.” As a bonus, the first 25 kids who sign up will receive a Synergy rod and reel/tackle combo, courtesy of Shakespeare.

For registration or more information, visit www.anglerspress.net, e-mail angler

spress@hotmail.com or call 916-768-0938. The first 150 anglers to sign up for the 2010 Berkley Big Bass Challenge will have the opportunity to win a day on the water with B.A.S.S. champion Skeet Reese and be entered into an exclusive raffle including gear such as a Humminbird fish finder, Cocoons Sunglasses and Revo reels.