The shimmering image of anglers who had arrived from 38 states and four countries was reflected off of the pre-dawn waters of Lake Sam Rayburn as their boating lights looked much like a floating city of Atlantis as they awaited their KICKS 105fm radio command to start casting! And with that official 6:am announcement, the long awaited 20th Annual Lake Sam Rayburn Big Bass Splash was finally underway as anglers flipped, cranked, or dragged their baits through their bass patterns in hopes of winning a winning portion of the $500,000 being offered in guaranteed cash and prizes.
“This is one of our biggest and best Big Bass Splash events ever, stated Tournament Director/CEO, Bob “McSplash” Sealy, as this 20th Annual Lake Sam Rayburn event drew big bass anglers from 38 states and four countries. We, at Sealy Outdoors, are very proud and thankful for these past twenty years of tournament successes that our beloved McBass angler family has blessed us with, and we, at Sealy Outdoors, plan to host one heck of a “BLOCK PARTY” for our McBass family anglers, as well as for the public to enjoy while attending this 20th Annual Sam Rayburn event. Included in these FREE festivities will be World famous Country Music Artist, Neal McCoy and International Bass Fishing Legend, Jimmy Houston. This “OPEN TO THE PUBLIC” Block Party will take place on Sunday, April 18, which is the final day of the three day long Big Bass Splash tournament. So don’t you dare miss this once in a lifetime opportunity folks, Sealy McSmiled, as YOU ALL are invited to help us celebrate these past twenty great years of McDonalds Big Bass Splash tournaments.”
Day-1 Overall McLeaders;
1st place leader-(10.89)- Eddie McCracken of Graham TX, was fishing a Diawa/Mitchell rod and reel with a Carolina rigged watermelon/pumpkinseed Zoom lizard when he hooked his 10.89 lb leading bass on a 6:20am big bite. The big bass angler was working mid-lake point grass when the huge bass took his bait. Quickly landing the bass, Eddie lost little time bringing it in to the weigh-in site to become the first “official” weigh-in for the 20th Annual McDonalds Big Bass Tournament. If his big bass holds he will drive home in a 2004 Hummer-2 trailering a matching Triton Bass Boat. But it wouldn’t be until the last bass is weighed-in on Sunday before he could claim that $105,000 first place prize. But even so, Eddie pocketed $2,000 for winning the top of the hour.
2nd place leader-(9.51)- Jimmy Brock, of Lufkin TX, was working an 8′ to 10′ creek point when he nailed his bass on a 6:30am big bite with a watermelon/red Zoom trick-worm. The bass hit while he was fishing with light-tackle, which allowed the big fish to pull hard-drag before he managed to land it for a $1,600 payday.
3rd place leader-(9.34)- Jerry Moffett, of Natchez MS, was working the outside edge of a 4′ to 5′ mid-lake grass-bed with a G-Loomis rod and Abu Garcia reel spooled with 15 lb test Berkely big game mono. Jerry was slow-rolling a chartreuse McHooty spinner-bait when his 9.34 bass hit on a 6:30am big bite for a $1,400 payday.
4th place -(8.79)- Robert Riggs, of Lufkin TX, was working a Shimano rod and reel spooled with 17 lb test Spider-wire when he caught his big bass on a red flake Yamamoto lizard. Riggs was fishing a 9′ Buck Bay grass-bed when his big bass hit on a 1:20pm big bite for a $2,000 payday.
5th place -(8.78)- Elton Thomae, of Brookeland TX, worked an Allstar rod and Garcia reel spooled with 15 lb test Berkely big game mono to catch his big bass. The former Crosby TX, resident managed to entice his 8.78 big bass to hit on a 10:45am big bite while dragging a Carolina rigged green/pumpkin lizard through a 12′ mid-lake grass-bed for a $1,600 payday.
Exact Weight McBass-(3.00)- Jason Wells, of San Augustine TX, was fishing a north lake area brush patch with a watermelon/red tube when his exact weight 3.0 mini-bass hit on a 9:30am mini-bite for a maxi-payout of $5,000.
(Note)– all unclaimed exact weight $5,000 cash awards will be given away via angler draws on the final day of the tournament.
Big Bass Splash Hurrahs go to the “Get Hooked On Fishing and NOT DRUGS” Crusade Kids who hustled 513 bass weighing 2,309 lbs to the Sealy McSplash Live release barge-
Other public attractions occurring daily at this HUGE McSplash event will be, Big Bass Splash Sponsor Displays, Outdoor Attractions and Exhibits, A Vender Trade Show, Games, Food & Drink Concessions, Family Activities, and MUCH, MUCH, MORE!!
This 20th Annual McSplash event will be hosted at the newly constructed Umphrey Family Pavilion on Lake Sam Rayburn, TX, which is located next to the Public Boat Ramp on FM-255 between Twin Dikes Park and the Dam causeway.
Special Big Bass Splash Prize Offer- Enter All Three Big Bass Splash Events and be entered into a Special drawing to win a Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Fish one, two or three days in each of the three events on Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, and Fork to be included. Must be present at drawing at Lake Fork event to win the Harley Davidson.
For more information on the Big Bass Splash and other Sealy Outdoor Inc; events contact (1-888-698-2591).
20th Annual McSplash Sponsors; Triton Boats- Mercury Outboards- Shimano- Academy- Ron Carter Chevrolet- Cowboy Honda- Vexilar Electronics- Texas Fish & Game- Sealy Outdoors- McDonalds- AND the McBass Anglers.
This Ed Snyder/Outdoors Tournament promo sponsored by- Fishingworld.com- The Stump Restaurant & Club- The Bass Buster Inn- The Sam Rayburn Pavilion Association.
The Umphrey Family Pavilion, a new Sam Rayburn facility is constructed with a twelve-sided 5,600 sq. ft. gazebo-type structure that covers approximately 12,000 square feet of concrete pad area with clean and comfortable restroom and concession facilities, also has a large parking area within its boundary that accommodates about 400 or more vehicles. Built for the purpose of increasing tourism within the Jasper County and Lake Sam Rayburn Area, the new Umphrey Family Pavilion was designed and built to host multiple activity events, which includes not only Fishing Tournaments, but Musical Concerts, Trade Shows- Family Reunions, Company/Organizational Seminars, Outdoor Sporting Events, Boat & Auto Shows, etc, etc. For more information on scheduling your upcoming event at the new Umphrey Family Pavilion contact the (LSRPA) Lake Sam Rayburn Pavilion Association – P:O: Box 5032 – Sam Rayburn, TX. 75951 -or call-(409)-698-2554 or click to or e-mail Ed Snyder at [email protected].
By: Ed Snyder / Ed Snyder Outdoors
