Feb. 13, 2006

Lunker Anglers Just Four Fish Away From Big Prize

AUSTIN, Texas — The 396 ShareLunker was caught Feb. 5 on Lake Conroe in 12 feet of water on a crankbait. The “lunker” bass weighed 14.8 pounds and was caught by Harry Durham of Houston.

The catch moves things closer to lunker 400, which is the focus of a Budweiser ShareLunker program promotional push by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. The person who catches the 400th qualifying entry will receive the largest prize package the program has ever offered.

In addition to the usual prizes of a jacket and a fiberglass fish replica, the winning angler will receive a cash award of $400 per pound of fish and a rod and reel valued at $600. If the angler is a Texas resident, he or she will also receive a lifetime fishing license.

Prizes are being provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and will be awarded at the annual Budweiser ShareLunker banquet at TFFC in Athens May 27.

Anglers legally catching a largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more between October 1 and April 30 each year may enter the fish into the Budweiser ShareLunker program by calling (903) 681-0550 or leaving a page, including area code, at (888) 784-0600. The angler may choose to have the fish returned after the spawning season or donate the fish to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Budweiser ShareLunker program is made possible through support from Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Since 1991, Anheuser-Busch, in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, has contributed millions of dollars in funding to support conservation causes and fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation programs in Texas.

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