Ratman's Amateur Bass Tournament series will host 21, three-hour Bass tournaments in 2009.

The Friday evening series is designed specifically for anglers interested in less expensive or demanding competition .

Tournaments will be held at the Wolftever launch ramp on Chickamauga Lake on Highway 58.

The tournaments will begin on April 10, 2009 and be held every Friday through the spring and summer, with the final tournament being held on August 28, 2009.

Organizers expects the tournaments to attract regional amateur bass anglers from the tri-state area. Organizer Kirk Gardner said, "We held a very successful five-tournament series this past summer and had a great turnout at each event. This success prompted us to expand the series for 2009."

The core principle that drives the Ratman Amateur Bass Tournament Series is a simple belief that fishing is wonderful way to unite friends and families. The weekly bass tournaments are hosted by Kenny "Ratman" Eckstein, Kirk Gardner, Rudy Chastain and Bo Bain. Gardner said, "Our tournament format keeps the competition on a level playing field and offers everyone a chance to be successful. We don't allow professional anglers to enter our tournaments. We cater to the local amateur bass anglers that want a competitive fishing experience at an affordable price."

Entry fees are $25 per boat with a Big Fish pot of $5.00 per angler. Tournaments will begin at 6:45 pm and end at 9:45 pm. Gardner said, "This offers those working late an opportunity to fish the Ratman Bass Tournament."

The kick off event on April 10 will offer a guaranteed first place payout of $500. The number of non-guaranteed places paid will be dependent on the number of boats entered.

Gardner said, "As the weeks progress the first place payout will be determined by the number of sponsors we can attract. It is our hope that we will be able to offer a guaranteed payout each week. So far we have been very fortunate in securing Scenic City Fishing Charters, Volunteer Rid-a-Pest, TnGrafix, and K&J Bobcat Service as sponsors for the 2009 series. We still have several sponsorship opportunities available and would love have a few more sponsors for 2009."

Sponsor kits are available at the website which outlines the sponsorship levels, tournament demographics and other information.

For more information, rules, schedules and 2008 results check us out at www.ratmanbass.com