The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship operated by American Bass Anglers is set for Nov. 14-17 out of Wildwood Park in Appling, Ga., near Augusta. The venue has been the site of two previous Bassmaster Elite Series event and will host one in 2008, set for May 1-4.

The former Classic participants include Lee Byrd of Birmingham, Ala. (1990 Classic); Jeff Coble of Manson, N.C. (2002 and 2006 Classics); and Mark Pack of Mineola, Texas (2000 Classic).

Bassmaster Open pros include Texans Corey Waldrop of Fort Worth and Brian Clark of Haltom City; Kenneth Chapman of Woodlawn, Tenn.; and Craig Nels of Baldwinsville, N.Y.

Contenders had to win the right to compete in the championship by coming out on top in their regional division. The top eight in points within each of 25 divisions, plus one wild-card qualifier from each division, make up the field of 225.

Nels, a 25-year-old Bass Pro Shops retail associate who qualified by finishing fourth in the standings in the Weekend Series’ New York East Division, is focused on winning the Classic berth.

“I’m trying to start a career as a fisherman, and while a big payday early on could be an incredible help, a Classic berth would be fantastic,” Nels said. “It would really be good as a career builder, vs. just having one big payday.”

Like Nels, to Chapman, the Classic berth is a bigger prize than the $100,000.

“The money’s a great thing, and it’s an impressive purse, but a chance to go to the Classic would be the pinnacle for me,” said Chapman, a retired Army master sergeant who has competed in bass tournaments for three years.

Check www.bassmaster.com for daily updates of the Championship.