“Folks, you ain’t seen nothing yet!!!” Has become the vocal trademark of Bob “McSplash” Sealy with his adventurous and financially incentive Big Bass Splash tournament series, which began here 21 years ago as a means to help raise funds for Ronald McDonald House charities. Since then, Bob, along with his Sealy Outdoors family, managed to put together one of the most unique, and incredible big bass fishing events that witnessed millions of anglers fish, as well as millions raised for the RMH charities.
Last years event attracted 5,000 anglers from 38 states and three countries to a pay out of $500,000 in cash & awards. This year, $560,000 is being offered in cash & prizes and is expected to draw record numbers. But this year’s event will hold a three day “Block Party” at The Umphrey Family Pavilion to coincide with the tournament, with live entertainment all three days. Food, refreshments, and plenty of family style excitement will greet those who arrive with their lawn chair to watch the daily Big Bass Splash weigh-ins that start at 7am each day. Plus “FREE” concerts will provide entertainment after the weigh-in lines close at 4pm each day of the tournament. “Louisiana Express” will lead off on Friday with Tracy Lawrence performance on Saturday and Zona Jones appearing on Sunday. Several National professional fishing celebrities will also be here to mingle with the crowds each day of the tournament.
The 2005 event will see 12 places per hour being paid out for the top 12 big bass weighed-in each hour for earning one of 288 checks being paid for a total hourly big bass pay out of $154,800. The first “exact weight” bass of 3.0-lbs, 4.0-lbs, and 5.0-lbs weighed-in each day of this event will award their anglers a Triton-TR1753/Mercury bass boat. Big Bass anglers will also be eligible for a final day elimination draw of a Triton-TR1753/Mercury bass boat.
But the top five biggest bass weighed-in during this three day long Big Bass Splash event will receive the “OVERALL-PRIZE” awards with first place winning the $102,000 Sportsman’s Package of a Hummer H-2 “hitched” to a Triton-TR21XPDC/Mercury-225 Optimax bass boat. Second overall will receive a Dodge Sport Truck “hooked-up” with a Triton-TR165/Mercury bass boat, and third will win a Cherokee Travel Trailer. Fourth and fifth place finishers will receive Honda ATV four wheelers.
FREE ADMISSION, Outdoor attractions & exhibits, Family fun & excitement, Family activities & games, “FREE” outdoor concerts, AND a “FREE” chance to win and take home a Cherokee Travel Trailer on the final day of the tournament. So what are you waiting for folks, bring your lawn chairs and plan to ENJOY the weekend of April 22, 23, and 24th!
And as Bob “McSplash” Sealy says, “Folks, you ain’t seen nothing yet!!”
For more information on the Big Bass Splash, as well as lodging, tournament site directions, and shuttle service for spectators, contact Sealy Outdoors Inc, (888)-698-2551- Rayburn Country Resort – (800)-882-1442, or Jasper/ Sam Rayburn Chamber of Comm-(409)-384-2762, or listen to the official Big Bass Splash radio KICKS 105.1 FM.
This Ed Snyder/Outdoors Tournament report sponsored by , The Jasper Newsboy, The Stump Restaurant & Club, The Bass Buster Inn, Rayburn Country Resort, and the Lake Sam Rayburn Pavilion Association.By: Ed Snyder / Ed Snyder Outdoors
