It’s terrible getting old!  We have all heard that sentiment expressed (some more colorfully than others) by those who are either approaching or have hit the dreaded half-century mark.  Not that fifty is old, but after five decades on earth, the allure of the hippest, hottest, biggest and fastest has somewhat subsided.  For the senior set the latest fad is now about quality, convenience, enjoyment, and comfort.  It is because of that sentiment that Senior Bass Anglers was born. 

Two years ago, a simple dinner party conversation among a group of fifty-somethings led to the creation of one of the southeast’s newest and most distinctive tournament fishing trails.  Discussion that evening highlighted the common belief that hectic weekend tournament schedules were growing more grueling by the year.  Heavy boat traffic, long hours, time away from family, and keeping up with ever-youthful competition were taking their toll on the maturing anglers.  Weekend tournaments were just not the same level of fun as they once were.  Someone needed to start a tournament trail with the seasoned angler in mind.

At the party that night were Wayne and Cheryl Turner, long-time bass tournament participants and newcomers to the senior distinction.  Several years earlier, the Turners had toyed with the idea of starting a new tournament trail in and around the Middle Tennessee area, but the timing was never quite right.  The pair understood that the time required to manage a reputable and successful trail was not a luxury that they could afford.  The plan would just have to wait until retirement.  So years later, when the party discussion turned to the need for a seniors’ trail, a light bulb went on in both of their heads. 

Wayne was retiring in less than a year and this idea was possibly the perfect part-time job for the angling twosome.  They researched and studied the constantly expanding fifty and over population.  The Turners learned that every 8.4 seconds a baby boomer turns fifty. As a result, anglers fifty and older are the fastest growing demographic in the industry.  Plus, unlike younger anglers, senior anglers have more time and discretionary funds to direct toward their sporting interests and hobbies. In fact, seniors spend more per capita on travel and leisure activities than any other age group.  It was clear that the time had come for a senior bass fishing tournament trail.

In 2006 Wayne and Cheryl began laying the foundation for the Senior Bass Anglers Tournament Trail (SBA).  By March of that year the framework for the tournament had been completed, including the official rules, costs, schedules, and even affiliations with key sponsors like Triton Boats and Clark Marine.  A website was also created to disseminate tournament information and rally interest among the senior fishing community.

Anglers not just from the Middle Tennessee area, but from across the country were interested learning more about SBA.  They loved the fact that all tournament anglers had to be fifty or older.  They also appreciated how the Turners had drawn from their experiences participating in other tournaments and tailored the SBA trail to what they found to be most effective and successful aspects of those organizations. Most of all, visitors to SeniorBassAnglers.com expressed their approval for how the goal of SBA was to focus on the lifestyle, interests and the assets of the senior angler.  

Besides being distinguished for its minimum age requirement, SBA stands out from the wide range of tournament trails for other reasons that appeal to competitive anglers.  For one, SBA competes on Fridays when traffic on area lakes is far less congested than during Saturday and Sunday tournaments.  SBA also boasts a “no blast-off” policy.  Anglers are able to take off to their chosen spot after boat check whenever they feel comfortable, but they cannot put a line in the water until the official tournament start time.  Additionally, membership in SBA insures competitors against loss to last minute participation by locals because only pre-paid members can take part in a tournament.  SBA members also have the opportunity to choose where the annual classic will be held each year.  Perhaps though, the most endearing aspect of SBA is its club-like atmosphere.  Members of SBA enjoy a very unique fellowship.  Because of their age and experience, the group shares many commonalities not found in typical tournament trails.

In its inaugural 2007 season, the SBA pay-back to fisherman exceeded 95%.  At each tournament, the trail paid one place for every five boats.  Big winners last year were Ray Eaton and Andy Crutcher with the most cumulative weight, Jerry Strain and Gary Clark for the biggest stringer of the year, and Van Schwendimann for the biggest fish of the year.  SBA also introduced an unusual progressive-type prize called The Hawg Pot, where anglers can earn extra money for landing a bass weighing eight pounds or more.  Each month that the group failed to net a hawg, The Hawg Pot increased.  Currently, The Hawg Pot is $400.  Several anglers also earned bonus money and prizes from Triton Gold and other SBA sponsors in 2007.

The 2008 SBA season kicks off on March 28^th at Fate Sanders Marina on Percy Priest Lake in Smyrna, TN.  Thanks to sponsors, more monies and prizes will be up for grabs.  If you are interested in learning more about the Senior Bass Anglers Tournament Trail, please visit their website at www.seniorbassanglers.com, or contact Tournament Director, Wayne Turner at 615-230-0394.