Bass fishermen at Beaver Lake have two new bass circuits to choose from as the 2013 tournament season kicks into gear.

Everett Chevrolet Team Trail holds its first tournament March 2. Beaver Lake Competitive Series starts March 9. Both feature daytime tournaments and all but one are out of Prairie Creek park.

No tournaments from either group conflict so fishermen can compete on both circuits if they like.

Anglers who fished the old Beaver Lake Supercasters series should feel at home in Beaver Lake Competitive Series events.

“It’s essentially the same thing,” said Chad Johnson, tournament director.

“The only difference is our tournaments are on Saturdays. Supercasters events were on Sundays.”

Anglers fish alone in Competitive Series events.

That was the format with Supercasters.

Entry cost is a $40 membership fee, then $60 for each tournament. There’s an optional $10 fee for big bass.

Anglers may weigh a six-fish limit and all tournaments are out of Prairie Creek park. There are seven tournaments and a two-day championship in October.

Sponsorship is important to a circuit’s success, Johnson said. A few include Everett Chevrolet, Southtown Sporting Goods, Arkie and War Eagle lure companies and Hook, Line and Sinker fishing stores.

Entry forms are available at tackle dealers around the region. For details call Johnson at 479-879-6467 or send email to oecc93@ yahoo.com.

Everett Chevrolet Team Trail will hold five tournaments at Beaver Lake, with a two-day championship set for July 20-21.

The circuit is a team format where two anglers fish together for the season.

There’s a one-time $30 membership fee, then $50 per boat. Big bass is built into the entry fee, said Joe Papczynski, tournament director.

First prize is $1,500 if at least 50 boats are in a tournament. Second place gets $750 and third $300.

Teams who fish in four of the five tournaments qualify for the two-day championship set for July 20-21.

Teams that compete in all five events are entered into Anglers of the Year competition. The winners get $1,000.

There’s a sponsor reward program where first-place finishers win more money if they’re customers of Everett Chevrolet, McGaugh RV or Bradford Marine and ATV. Papczynski said more sponsors may be added to the program.

Team Trail also has a youth division where anglers 16 and younger fish with an adult.

These new organizations give competitive anglers a wide choice of tournaments from which to choose for 2013.

FLIP PUTTHOFF IS OUTDOORS EDITOR FOR NWA MEDIA. FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER AT TWITTER.

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Outdoor, Pages 6 on 02/07/2013