DISNEY, OK --- Nearly 200,000 youngsters, ages 6-16, participated in the 1998 Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Tracker Marine Kids All-American Fishing Derby program directed by Hooked On Fishing International. The events were held in 50 states and involved over 1,100 local derbies.

The youngsters were given the opportunity to participate in several contests, with prizes awarded for special achievement. The National Winner of the Tracker Marine "Big Fish" Contest - Saltwater Division was Justin Adams, age 10, of Homer, Alaska. Justin’s fish was a 23 lb 7 oz king salmon which he caught using salmon eggs. His fish was caught at a derby organized by the Anchor Point (Alaska) Chamber of Commerce. For his efforts, Justin, a student at Homer West School, will receive a Tracker Bantam 3X two-man boat.

Russell Kilgore, age 15, of Woodland, MS, struggles to hold his huge 24 lb 12 oz carp. Russell has been named the 1998 National Champion - Freshwater Division of the Tracker Marine "Big Fish" Contest. Russell’s fish took corn for bait and will win him a prize of a Tracker Bantam 3X Boat

The National Winner of the Tracker Marine "Big Fish" Contest - Freshwater Division was Russell Kilgore, age 15, of Woodland, Mississippi. His fish was caught at a derby organized by the U. S. Forest Service and the Houston Hawgcallers . Russell’s fish was a 24 lb 12 oz carp, caught on corn, using a Quantum reel. For his efforts, Russell will also receive a Tracker Bantam 3X two-man boat.

Paige Vega, age 11, of Lake Isabella, California, has been declared the 1998 winner of the Zebco Kids Casting Contest. Each youngster participating in the Zebco casting event was eligible for the nationwide drawing. Paige attended a derby organized locally by the U. S. Forest Service, and will be the lucky recipient of four round trip tickets, compliments of Southwest Airlines, to fly between any Southwest Airlines published destinations.

Justin Adams, 10, of Homer, AK, shows off his 23 lb 7 oz king salmon. He has been named National Champion of the Tracker Marine "Big Fish" Contest - Saltwater Division of the Kids All-American Fishing Derby program. Salmon eggs did the trick for Justin who will receive a Tracker Bantam #X Two-Man Boat for his efforts.

Winner of the Southwest Airlines "I Caught a Fish" Contest was Michael Horn, age 6, of Fitzgerald, Georgia. Michael’s name was drawn from almost 200,000 entries representing youngsters who had caught a fish at their local derby. Michael, who attended a local event organized by the Optimist Club of Fitzgerald, will also be receiving four round trip tickets from Southwest Airlines.

Sponsors for the 1998 Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Tracker Marine Kids All-American Fishing Derby program were American Rod & Gun, Berkley, Gator Grip, Roads to Adventure Magazine, Southwest Airlines, TNN Outdoors, and Zebco. Host organizations for the nationwide program included parks and recreation departments, the U.S. Forest Service, and various local and community service organizations. Groups or agencies interested in receiving information on hosting a kids’ fishing derby event in 1999 should contact:

Hooked On Fishing International, P O Box 249, Disney OK 74340, Fax: (918) 782-4324.