Thursday, May 28, 2015

Ranger Pro Brent Ehrler Wins Toyota Texas Bass Classic

FLIPPIN, ARK. - With a single set of the hook in the final hour of competition, Ranger Pro Brent Ehrler erased a final-day, 5.75-pound deficit in the 2015 Toyota Texas Bass Classic with the largest fish he had ever caught during a tournament. In what amounted to bass fishing's version of a walk-off homerun, Ehrler landed a 10 pound, 11 ounce giant that brought his three-day total to 89 pounds, 12 ounces and carried him to victory at Lake Fork on Memorial Day.

Ehrler's dramatic, come-from-behind win in TTBC brought the California native a lucrative payday that included $100,000 in first-place prize money, a $5,000 Ranger Cup bonus and a new Toyota Tundra truck for winning the Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award. Ehrler was the only angler to bring more than 30 pounds to the weigh-in stand during the event, which he did on the final day with a five-fish limit that also included a pair of 6-pounders, as well as a 5- and a 4-pounder.

"At noon, I didn't think it was going to happen for me. I thought I was going to need 33 pounds (to take the lead)," said Ehrler, who concentrated his efforts offshore, throwing crankbaits and swimbaits. "Where I caught the big one was a place I'd fished in last year's tournament. I'd gone there once or twice in practice and didn't catch any and every time I pulled up during the tournament there was another boat there. I knew with fewer people on the water today it would get a rest and I timed it right."

The Toyota Texas Big Bass Classic is an annual event, which pits top pros from the Bassmaster Elite Series, FLW Tour and the PAA Series. The 2015 TTBC Top-10 featured a virtual who's who of professional bass fishing, which included the defending Bassmaster Classic champion, two previous Bassmaster Classic winners; a Forrest Wood Cup winner, three-time TTBC champion and multiple Angler of the Year and Rookie of the Year award winners from both B.A.S.S. and FLW.

"Winning this tournament feels awesome because this was one of those tournaments that I never really expected to win. My goal coming in was to try to make the cut and be respectable. Then at the Pro-Am, they presented the ring to (Ranger Pro) Keith Combs for winning last year and it was just huge - like a Super Bowl Ring," Ehrler said. "I thought that was so cool but that I was never going to get to win one of those."

Ehrler's win in the 2015 TTBC further cements his place among the top professional anglers in the world today, which already included more than $2 million in career earnings and a Forrest Wood Cup victory.

"What a tremendous win by a tremendous angler," said Ranger Boats Vice President of Marketing Bart Schad. "Brent is an incredible ambassador for the Ranger brand and is always a serious threat to win any tournament he enters. It's been a thrill to see his success over the years and look forward to much more to come."

Brent Ehrler: By the Numbers
$100,000: First-place cash prize for winning TTBC
$5,000: Ranger Cup bonus for winning TTBC
89 pounds, 12 ounces: TTBC combined weight
31 pounds, 8 ounces: Final-day combined weight
10 pounds, 11 ounces: Ehrler's largest fish of the event, which brought him the Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award and a new Toyota Tundra
5.98 lbs.: Average weight of Ehrler's 15 fish weighed in during the TTBC

About Ranger Boats
Headquartered in Flippin, Ark., Ranger Boats is the nation's premier manufacturer of legendary fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, which include series of bass, multi-species, fish 'n play, waterfowl utility and saltwater boats. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest-quality, strongest-performing boats on the water. For more information, go to RangerBoats.com.

Contact: Josh Ward
Blue Heron Communications
(800) 654-3766
Josh@blueheroncomm.com