December 2022 – Jay Kelly will take over as the tournament director for Northern California Wild West Bass Trail (WWBT) Team events starting in 2023. The WWBT team have drawn as many as 252 teams and regularly attracts 120-160 teams at each of the regular season qualifying events, HOOK’D Tackle shop owner Jay Kelly will assume the role of tournament director. Kelly will be responsible for the four-event regular season and the Championship event culminating at Lake Shasta. WWBT is proud to have awarded tens of millions of dollars in prize money. For the past 7 years WWBT has also awarded 7 boat and engine packages. In 2023 the winning team will once again win a Bass Cat/Mercury prize package.
With the Wild West Bass Trail (WWBT) set to enter its 8th year in 2023. The formidable trail attracts beginners to the highest-level anglers to compete in their Pro/Am, Teams, Kayak, and youth series events.
It also operates the APEX Pro Tour, which is the highest qualified level of professional competition. These events are televised on the Pursuit Channel capable of reaching 47 million households nationwide.
With the recent Western Bass Shootout taking place in 2023 Randy McBride has taken over the promotional process of event expansion and brand development. The extensive selection process for a capable tournament director for Northern CA Team tournaments has concluded.
“With Randy McBride moving into a new position within the company, I knew that filling the void he left would be challenging. After an extensive selection process, meetings, and interviewing candidates, Jay had the traits necessary to build upon our unmatched success.” Said Jeremy DeHart, Owner.
“I was immediately interested in what WWBT was going to do moving forward after I heard Randy was promoted. When conversations began with Jeremy, I knew this was something I am well suited for. WWBT is the top of the line as it pertains to offering their customers the highest level of professionalism and a platform to represent themselves. I am thrilled with the opportunity to represent WWBT.” Said Jay Kelly
Jay was born in San Luis Obispo, CA and currently resides in Ione, CA. He and his wife Becky have 5 children and 2 grandchildren. They both own HOOK’D bait and tackle shop located in Ione CA. Prior to opening the HOOK’D tackle shop, Jay retired from Amador County Sheriff’s Department. Becky and Jay already support a strong contingent of professional anglers, many of them are APEX Anglers who fish at the highest level with their tackle shop.
Jay Kelly Jay@Wildwestbasstrail.com 480-571-1919 Ext 106
About Wild West Bass Trail/APEX Pro Tour
The Wild West Bass Trail (WWBT) is the first and only exclusive west coast Pro level Tournament series to be televised in its entirety. WWBT delivers multiple opportunities to showcase the talents of western anglers on a professional platform, all while providing the highest payback in the industry.
As WWBT continues to provide and refine a platform of elite events for competitive anglers, it simultaneously creates a logical avenue for sponsors to have direct contact with customers. Wild West is dedicated to creating a complete package of advertising opportunities including on-site activation, internet/social media, and television series that reach a large number of viewers each day.
Tournament events include Televised APEX PRO TOUR events, opens, college teams, pro teams, pro/ams, and the new Pro Cup format. Televised Pro/Am Championship can be viewed on the Pursuit Channel, Outdoor Action TV and YouTube. Learn more about WWBT and APEX PRO TOUR at Wild West Bass Trail.com Facebook, Apexprotour.com, Twitter, and Instagram.
Media / Advertising Contact info@wildwestbasstrail.com or jeremy@wildwestbasstrail.com