The Ultimate Match Fishing College Edition attracted top college anglers from across the country to Oswego County for 12 days last June. This month, the tournament series debuts on The Outdoor Channel at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays, 9 a.m. on Saturdays and 6 a.m. on Sundays.

“Oneida Lake, one of the premier bass fisheries in the U.S., was chosen as the official host site for this exciting competition,” said David Turner, director of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning. “With an incredible population of both smallmouth and largemouth bass, it is perfectly suited to match whatever technique anglers prefer.”

The vigorous bass fishing tournament included competitors from the University of Illinois, Oregon, Louisville, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kentucky and Alabama as well as Penn State, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Purdue and Oklahoma University.

“The explosive growth in competitive bass fishing among college teams is one of the most exciting developments in angling today,” said Joe Thomas, UMF host. “Our goal is to show how intense this competition is becoming and to introduce our viewers to some of the best young anglers in the nation. As the next generation of professional fishermen, these young men not only exhibit incredible skills with the rod and reel, but they’re great ambassadors of this sport.”

The unique format featured anglers competing head-to-head in the same boat in a single elimination, bracketed tournament series. They switched positions every 90 minutes over four periods throughout the day while UMF referee Mark Randolph enforced all other standard tournament rules.

The anglers competed for a portion of the $25,000 purse to be awarded to their school for the development of intercollegiate competitive bass fishing. The first-place winner received a $10,000 share plus an all-expense-paid trip to Billy Chapman Jr.’s Angler’s Inn on the legendary Lake El Salto in Mexico. The second-place runner-up collected a $7,500 share while the third- and fourth-place contestants won $5,000 and $2,500 shares respectively.

The Ultimate Match Fishing College Edition tournament received sponsorship support from several Oswego County businesses and organizations, including Time Warner Cable, K&G Lodge and Resort in Scriba and Canale’s Restaurant in Oswego. In Brewerton, the Castaways Restaurant, the Waterfront Restaurant and Winter Harbor Marina provided support as did the Port City Bassmasters Club in Oswego.

For details about the College Edition of Ultimate Match Fishing, visit www.ultimatematchfishing.com/collegeindex.php. For current fishing conditions in Oswego County, call 1-800-248-4FUN (4386) and visitor information, call Oswego County Promotion and Tourism at 1-800-596-3200 ext. 8322 or go to www.visitoswegocounty.com.