New incentives for high school anglers
The Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza is the state’s largest amateur fishing tournament, and this year’s guaranteed cash prizes include: $50,000 for the largest fish overall; $10,000 for the largest fish overall in each of the remaining four pools; and place money for overall winners per pool, with $900 for second place, $700 for third and $400 for fourth.
Hourly prize money for first, second and third place will be the top priority after the guaranteed prizes are awarded; however, Montine McNulty, Arkansas Hospitality Association’s Executive Director says, “The hourly amounts will be determined by the number of tournament registrants.”. In addition, if the hourly winners purchased and are wearing a Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza t-shirt and cap, they will receive an extra $100 in bonus money.
“All high school age anglers will be eligible to win some serious fishing gear,” says tournament director Jill Thiel. “Our sponsors really stepped up to give high school anglers a chance to not only fish for the $50,000 grand prize and the multiple hourly prizes for big fish, but also the chance to upgrade their gear while they’re at it.”
Thiel says anglers grades 6th – 8th and 9th – 12th will have the chance to win one of multiple Raymarine Dragonfly 7-Pro Sonar/GPS fish finder units, Aqua-Vu Micro-II underwater cameras, Bass X fishing rods from St. Croix Rods, lure prize packs from LIVETARGET lures, BaitCloud fish attractant canisters, and a free Thickburgers every week for a year from Hardees.
The Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza tournament is a popular three-day tournament that spans about 300 miles of the Arkansas River, with pools and official check-in stations at Fort Smith, Dardanelle, Little Rock/North Little Rock, Pine Bluff and the Pendleton Bridge near Dumas. The Big Bass Bonanza is open to all ages, and last year, it attracted amateur anglers from around the country.
The tournament begins Friday, June 23 and runs through Sunday, June 25, with fishing starting each morning at 6. The first weigh-in is at 8 a.m., with subsequent weigh-ins at the top of each hour until 1 p.m. each day.
Entry is $80 per person each day, and the winners will be announced Sunday, June 25, at 4 p.m. at the awards event at the Riverfront RV park pavilion, North Little Rock, Arkansas.
For more information on tournament rules or to register for the Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza, go to: www.arkansasbigbass.com.
By: Traditions Media
