Lake County, FL Ready for Its Close-Up in MLF General Tire Team Series Bass Pro Shops Championship Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches

The first episode of the Major League Fishing General Tire Team Series Bass Pro Shops Championship Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, the culmination of the General Tire Team Series that was filmed on the Clermont Chain of Lakes in Lake County, Florida, will premiere nationwide this Saturday, May 6, on the Outdoor Channel from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Episodes will premiere each Saturday, and the series will culminate with the crowning of the General Tire Team Series Champions on Saturday, June 17.

The seven-episode series will showcase the nine three-man teams that won their match in each of the three Qualifying Events competing for a $300,000 top prize. The second-place team will earn $60,000, and the third-place team will win $30,000. Teams fourth through ninth in the championship will each earn $15,000.

“On behalf of our partners, the City of Clermont and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, we are thrilled to have hosted the Major League Fishing General Tire Team Championship in Lake County,” said Ryan Ritchie, Director of Discover Lake County, Florida – Office of Tourism and Sports. “Without the support from the Lake County Board of County Commissioners and Tourist Development Council, opportunities like this would not be possible.  Events like this, create national exposure and bring attention to the championship fishing in Lake County, as well as enhancing our economic development and impact with anglers, visitors, production crews and staff visiting our communities.”

Saturday’s airing on the Outdoor Channel will showcase Team Ferguson, Team Star brite and Team Builders First Source competing in Match 1, along with highlights from the competition and behind-the-scenes angler commentary and interviews.

The nine teams that are competing in the inaugural General Tire Team Series Bass Pro Shops Championship Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches are:

Team B&W Trailer Hitches:
Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich.
Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas
David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn.

Team Builders First Source:
Jeff Sprague, Point, Texas
Randall Tharp, Port St. Joe, Fla.
Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La.

Team Crockett Creek:
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark.
Jason Lambert, Michie, Tenn.

Team Ferguson:
James Elam, Tulsa, Okla.
Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan.
Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Team Fox Rent A Car:
Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J.
Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.
Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala.

Team Knighten Industries:
Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn.
Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark.
Mike McClelland, Blue Eye, Mo.

Team Kubota:
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn.
Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala.
Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas

Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff:
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.
Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C.
Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.

Team Star brite:
Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif.
Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo.
Shaw Grigsby, Gainesville, Fla.

The full, updated television schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: B&W Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Crockett Creek Beef Jerky, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Optima Batteries, Phoenix Boats, Power-Pole, Rapala Baits, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, T-H Marine, Toyota, USAA, and YETI.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the MLF General Tire Team Series events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, and  YouTube.