TEXARKANA, Texas - The National Professional Fishing League is expected to return to Wright Patman Lake for future events after a successful bass tournament there in April.
An NPFL tournament at Wright Patman will not be an annual occurrence, but future tournaments there are under consideration and could include a championship event, Ross Cowling with the Parks and Recreation Department told the City Council after this spring's success.
"These are those projects that make you super proud to be a city employee. Nothing but positive feedback," Cowling said.
The week of April 18, more than 100 NPFL anglers, their families and league staff visited Texarkana to participate in a three-day tournament with a $50,000 grand prize. Keith Carson turned in a stringer limit of more than 20 pounds each of the three days and finished with a 67-pound, 10-ounce total to win. Total payout for the tournament was $425,000.
During the week, the anglers participated in community service events including fishing at Spring Lake Park with Opportunities Inc. clients and sharing knowledge with the Hooks, Texas, High School and Genoa, Arkansas, High School fishing teams.
And they gave a lift to the local economy. About 27% spent more than $5,000 each in Texarkana, and the remainder spent $2,000 to $5,000, according to a Chamber of Commerce survey.
"Overall a great event," Cowling said. "They want to come back when the time is right for their program and Wright Patman may very well put out the most poundage throughout the whole season for them."
It was NPFL's first year, and the Wright Patman tournament was its second event of the season. NPFL has held three tournaments since, in Florida, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
The league's "goal is to make a lucrative endeavor for those professionals who also hold down full-time jobs. Anglers are encouraged to fish any other circuits as well," according to its website. It promises payouts for one in three anglers at each tournament.
"Payouts have been vetted through 36 prominent anglers. At their request, the top end of the payout bracket was distributed down the field. This ensures more anglers make a profit at each event," the website states.