At last year's Forrest Wood Cup, a few stubborn bass were all that separated pro angler Dave Lefebre of Union City, Pa., from setting the hook on the $1 million top prize. Now fantasy fishing fans have a chance at reeling in a cool million without making a single cast.

FLW Outdoors, the company that will stage the world's richest bass-fishing championship, the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup, July 30-Aug. 1 in Pittsburgh, will sponsor the world's richest fantasy sport event beginning this week. FLW Fantasy Fishing promises a top prize of $1 million, plus additional prizes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. No entry fee is required.

The World Championship of Fantasy Football pays $300,000 with an entry fee of $1,750. The National Fantasy Baseball Championship pays $100,000 with an entry fee of $1,300.

If that sounds too good to be true, Bob Oltmanns, a member of the Pittsburgh organizing committee for the Forrest Wood Cup, said there's a method to the madness.

"The theory is that anything that gets people interested in fishing is a step in the right direction," he said. "And if the first step is getting them connected online, so be it."

FLW Outdoors, the manufacturer of Ranger fishing boats, puts up the prizes with event sponsors including Wal-Mart and Chevrolet, which get promotional consideration in return.

"The fact is, fishing is gaining popularity in this region, which is good for Ranger boats and FLW," said Oltmanns.

FLW Fantasy Fishing fans choose from among the pro anglers competing in the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, which begins Thursday at Lake Guntersville, Ala., in competition that determines who will qualify for this summer's Forrest Wood Cup. Fantasy Fishing participants who pick the winners of the seven tour events qualify for prizes including the $1 million grand prize. A computer picks 10 tour competitors at random, or fantasy anglers can pick and choose their own pros or pay $10 for a tip sheet. Find details at www.fantasyfishing.com.