KILLEEN, Texas -

For one day in September, about 250 military members can forget about marching and overseas deployments when the 5th annual Fishing For Freedom tournament kicks off on Belton Lake adjacent to Fort Hood.

At dawn on September 25, 2010, anglers will head out of the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area to fish for cash and prizes, including a new Triton boat package. Impounded on the Leon River in 1954, Belton Lake covers 12,385 acres and drops to more than 124 feet in places. The public weigh-in begins at 1 p.m.

"Our main purpose is to provide our military members a free fishing trip and for our community to say thanks for all that they do," said Cliff Brown of Texas Boat World, the Triton dealership in Harker Heights and the tournament organizer in association with American Bass Anglers. "We look for volunteers to take soldiers fishing. It's open to any active duty or retired military member. Since the lake is right by Fort Hood, we'll predominately get Army members, but a few people from other services usually fish."

The tournament randomly pairs volunteer boaters who donate their time to take a service member fishing. Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines could share a boat with an occasional fisherman or a top professional angler. Last year, Clayton Carver joined Gary Klein, a pro from Weatherford, Texas, to beat 237 other teams, winning a fully rigged Triton boat/Mercury motor package. They caught a five-bass limit weighing 15.6 pounds.

CLICK HERE for Full Story in The Fishing Wire

Read original story