GO Games anglers compete in a unique bass-tourney format.

In the past few years, the sport of professional bass fishing has exploded. When the ESPN Great Outdoor Games arrived at Lake Placid, N.Y., in July 2000, 10 of the best bass anglers in the world really put on a show.

The format for the Great Outdoor Games Bass Fishing event is a bit different from the average professional tournament.

This is a two-day tournament rather than a four-day event and there is no carryover of weight from one day to the next. At the end of the first day, the five fishermen with the largest total catch weight advance to the final day of competition. Anglers can weigh in a maximum of five bass each day.

The fisherman with the largest total catch weight on the second day will be the gold medal winner.

The setting for the event is thought by some to be magical.

Oseetah Lake and the surrounding waters are crystal clear and provide excellent bass fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Clearwater specialist Peter Thliveros of Florida has always performed well up north and put in a great two day performance last year to become the first Great Outdoor Games Bass Fishing Champion.

This year, though, he will have to contend with powerhouse anglers like Denny Brauer, Larry Nixon and Woo Daves.

The tournament will be held under the following format:

• Each of the 11 competitors may fish for any or all of the designated tournament hours. The competitors will be ranked from first to 11th based on the highest to lowest weights of qualifying-round catches, subtracting any weight penalties for violation of tournament regulations. Those competitors ranked first to fifth will advance to the final round.

• In the final round, the five competitors advancing from the qualifying round will compete under the same format as the qualifying round. They will all begin the final round back at zero.

• The opening of the fishing hours will be signaled by an air horn and the competitors will be released by the Tournament Director one boat at a time.

• Competitors report to check-in no later than the close of tournament hours.

• All fishing must cease upon check-in, regardless of whether fishing hours remain open or not. Any competitor fishing after their afternoon check-in will be disqualified. Thirty minutes following the close of fishing hours all competitors will be escorted from the launch site to the weigh-in site.

• Following weigh-in of each competitor's catch, the fish will be given to representatives of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation who will ensure the live release of the fish.