Episode Three: Let the Trash Talking Begin

Permitted use provided by: MajorLeagueFishing.com

TULSA, Okla. – It had to happen sooner or later. With the top anglers in the world fishing close together, and with Jack Link’s Major League Fishing production cameras always nearby, the trash talk had to commence at some point.

That point is Episode Three of the 2013 GEICO Challenge Cup, which begins airing Thursday, April 18 on Outdoor Channel, America’s Leader In Outdoor TV. Episode Three of the seven-week series from Florida’s Lake Istokpoga begins Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

“It’s going to be a fun show. If you know anything about the relationship between Kevin VanDam and Jeff Kriet, you’ll want to see this episode. I believe VanDam sometimes makes it his mission to get under Kriet’s skin, and I promise you it’s a lot of fun. This might be the most entertaining episode of Major League Fishing that I’ve ever seen,” said league Commissioner Don Rucks. “But it’s not all VanDam and Kriet. We have several other anglers that have lively interaction with each other.”

The field includes VanDam, Kriet, Takahiro Omori, Aaron Martens, Tommy Biffle, Mike McClelland, Byron Velvick and Toyota Bassmaster. Angler of the Year Brent Chapman, who is appearing for the first time at a Major League Fishing event.

Challenge Cup coverage will air six times per week on Outdoor Channel throughout the second quarter of 2013. For air times, please check here.

Major League Fishing also offers EXTENDED CAST, a web-based, significantly expanded version of the Challenge Cup television episodes. EXTENDED CAST can be accessed by clicking here. The first episode of EXTENDED CAST is offered free.

The GEICO Challenge Cup, which was filmed in late October 2012, includes 24 of the world’s best-known competitors and utilizes an innovative angler-created format. In addition to not being able to practice, the anglers cannot compete with pre-determined GPS waypoints, and are limited to fishing on designated sections of water disclosed to them less than 12 hours before their competition rounds began. Each day’s action serves as an elimination round.

The anglers’ boats are equipped with real-time leaderboards. Boat judges accompany all anglers and administer penalties. After the weight of each catch is recorded, bass are released back into the lake.

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The Challenge Cup included six consecutive days of competition. Elimination Rounds took place during the first three days, with eight anglers competing each day. The top four anglers from each day advanced to the next round, Sudden Death. During Sudden Death, six anglers competed on the first day, the remaining six the next day. Three anglers advanced each competitive day of Sudden Death, setting up a Championship Final Round featuring the top six anglers.

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