Sam Rayburn gave up its Assets on Day 3 - Brad Myers of Sulphur, La. Wins 26^th Annual McDonald’s Big Bass Splash with 10.6 lb’er - By Patty Lenderman / The Lakecaster

It was intense.  It was exciting.  It was the 26^th Annual McDonalds Big Bass Splash on Sam Rayburn April 16-18,2010. Brad Myers of Sulphur LA beat out  over 3,700 participants from all over the globe including Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Japan, and nearly 40 states to win the $100,000 first place prize with a 10.6 lb’er.  A guaranteed payback of $580,000 was on the line for this amateur only event along with drawings for various prizes for the spectators.  Three days of hourly paybacks and a whole lot more was packed in this fun-filled Block Party weekend.

The suspense was intense while Randy Turner held the top position for nearly 2 ½ days until the double digit bass started showing up on Sunday.  Two over 10 were weighed in just hours apart, and Sulphur, LA angler Brad Myers held his breath and hung on with the  heaviest weight to win the grand prize sportsman’s package worth over $100,000.

The final morning started off with big bass coming in to be weighed.  Roy Walton won the first hour of the day with his 8.79 lb catch.  Another non-bass record was also recorded this weekend as Mike Sampson heaved an enormous flathead catfish to the weigh tanks.  It barely fit inside the giant containers!  A special scale was brought in and Bob Sealy carefully balanced the fish on it.  The big cat locked in at 74.09 pounds!  “I was fishing a hump, using 20# test line with a french fry rig.  It took me about 30 minutes to get it in!”  Once the length and girth were measured, Howard Elder of Texas Parks & Wildlife was on the scene and certified the catch to be submitted as a new possible rod & reel lake record.  Sampson released the big catfish back into Sam Rayburn, got in his boat and set out to catch some winning bass before days end. 

The 9:00-10:00 hour was bustling with excitement as two exact weight winners came in.  Wesley Raines brought in the first 4.00 lb bass of the weekend for $5,000 and J.R. McDonald weighed in his 3.00 bass also receiving a $5,000 check.

Things just kept heating up when Brad Myers of Sulphur, LA was the first to weigh in for the 10:00 hour.  He took over the lead of the tournament  with his 10.60 lb catch!  “Do you know what that bass could be worth?” Sealy asked Myers.  “I have no idea!” he answered.  “Well over $100,000 with a new Dodge truck, a fully rigged 21’ Triton/Mercury, PLUS a Stealth 4x4!”

This is Myers’ second tournament to ever fish in his life, both being the Big Bass Splash tournaments on Sam Rayburn.  “I hadn’t practiced any for this tournament.  It was just blind luck.  We’ve been trying to figure out the fish for the past two days.  Yesterday we finally found them and the pattern they were on.”  He said the fish were shallow first thing in the morning, then moved to deeper water around 8:30.  “We just followed them as they gradually headed out.”  Using a watermelon colored Texas rigged 7” Ringworm, he put his bait in 14’ of water, a primary point with just a little bit of grass.  “She bit at 9:30.  Just two small taps.”  He set the hook, but had no idea he had a giant double digit bass until it came to the surface.  “We didn’t waste any time getting it into the live well, then we headed right in.”  The crowd cheered and everyone got loud and excited except for Myers, who stayed as cool as a cucumber.  Bob reminded him that there was more than three hours yet to go.  “Anything can happen at the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash!”

Two hours later Lee Lacour of Highlands, TX brought in another double digit bass weighing 10.27 lbs.  The overall top 5 leaderboard continued to shift throughout the day.

Final Top 5:

1st	10.60	Brad Myers	Sulphur, LA	Sportsman’s Package:  2010 Dodge Truck, Triton Bass Boat powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota, Lowrance, Navionics and Power pole, Plus a Stealth 4x4 - Valued at $112,000
2nd	10.27	Lee Lacour	Highlands, TX	Sportsman Duo – Dodge Truck from Weaver Motors of Kirbyville, TX, Triton Bass Boat powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota, Lowrance and Power Pole - Valued at $74,500
3rd	9.65	Kevin Kubeczka	Houston, TX	Triton Bass Boat powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota & Lowrance - Valued at $24,500
4th	9.49	Justin Parks	Etoile, TX	Dodge Truck from Weaver Motors of Kirbyville, TX - Valued at $27,000
5th	9.15	Randy Turner	Lufkin, TX	Stealth ATV from Stealth Manufacturing, West Monroe, LA - Valued at $12,000

Each year the winner from the year prior receives an exact replica of the bass that won the tournament.  Larry McNeese, winner of the 25^th Annual event, received his replica for the bass that made him a $250,000 winner.

“We’re going to have another MILLION DOLLAR event!” Sealy announced.  In 2014, Sealy Outdoors will be celebrating 30 years, and with it a guaranteed purse of $1 MILLION dollars.  “There’s a lot more to come and more surprises in store for you!”

The next McDonald’s Big Bass Splash will be on Toledo Bend at Cypress Bend Marina May 21-23, 2010.  For more information click to www.SealyOutdoors.com or call 888-698-2591.

For more than a quarter of a century, the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash has evolved to mean many things to many people.  Acclaimed as being the largest amateur tournament on the planet, it has become a family tradition for all.  “Every year a percentage of every entry is given to the Ronald McDonald house and select charities” Bob Sealy said to the crowd.  “Over the past quarter century, this tournament has donated over $4 MILLION dollars to the house that love built.  I am proud to present this years  donation from the event in the amount of $18,505.”  These donations help keep the Ronald McDonald House operating for families that need to stay nearby while their sick children are in the hospital at no expense..  Sealy got teary-eyed while telling a few of the stories people have shared with him in appreciation for the facility and the impact this tournament’s donations has made.

FINAL OVERALL TOP 5 - FINAL RESULTS
PLACE	NAME	CITY/STATE	WEIGHT
1st	Brad Myers	Sulphur, LA	10.60
2nd	Lee Lacour	Highlands, TX	10.27
3rd	Kevin Kubeczka	Houston, TX	9.65
4th	Justin Parks	Etoile, TX	9.49
5th	Randall Turner	Lufkin, TX	9.15
Day 1 - Total # Bass Weighed:	372	Day 1 Total Weight:	1765.6
Day 2 - Total # Bass Weighed:	423	Day 2 Total Weight:	1906.7
Day 3 - Total # Bass Weighed:	272	Day 3 Total Weight:	1281.3
Total # Bass Weighed:	1067	Total Weight:	4953.7
Early Bird Drawing #1	Anthony Holcomb	Rusk, TX		$200 Academy GC
Early Bird Drawing #2	Randy Fraiser	Gould, AR		$200 Academy GC
Early Bird Drawing #3	Dean Gaertner	Magnolia, TX		$200 Academy GC
Early Bird Drawing #4	Jim Sherman	Evadale, TX		$200 Academy GC
Early Bird Drawing #5	Joe Stidham			$200 Academy GC
Elimination Drawing #1	Clint Gibe	Eucha, OK	$5,000
4.00 Exact Friday (Open Draw)	Jesus Vasquez	Lufkin, TX		$5,000
4.00 Exact Saturday (Open Draw)	Troy Dugas	Beaumont, TX		$5,000
5.00  Exact Sunday (Open Draw)	Bob Sherman	Evadale, TX		$5,000
Open Drawing	Randy Moore	Van Buion, AR		2010 Stealth ATV

HOURLY WINNERS - DAY 3
PLACE		NAME	CITY/STATE	WEIGHT	PAYOUT
6-7 HOUR
1st		Roy Walton	Oakhurst ,TX	8.79	$1,000
2nd		Gilbert Burch	Pineland,TX	6.96	$900
3rd		Scott Fairchild	Godley,Tx	6.79	$800
4th		Martin Mayo	Anacoco,TX	6.60	$700
5th		Aaron Ray	Orange,TX	6.22	$600
6th		Heath Thompson	Hillister,Tx	6.12	$500
7th		Jeff Schroer	Woodville,TX	5.46	$450
8th		Tony Treadwell	Jacksonville,TX	4.19	$400
9th		Mike Jerge	Hemphill,TX	3.91	$350
10th		Dustin Jerrrett	Apple Springs,TX	3.90	$300
11th		Jarron Calder	White Oak	3.79	$250
12th		Randy Runnels	Broaddus,TX	3.57	$200
7-8 HOUR
1st		Gerald Walden	Lumberton,Tx	8.49	$1,000
2nd		Bobby Castillo	Orange,TX	8.12	$900
3rd		Joey Lawson	Shelbyville,Tx	7.59	$800
4th		Ray Mcgee	Dickinson,Tx	7.52	$700
5th		Kenny Hayslette	Glenwood,TX	7.28	$600
6th		Trace Huffman	Kilgore,TX	6.99	$500
7th		Jonathan Hicks	Huntingtin,TX	6.56	$450
8th		Donald Evans Jr.	Anderson,TX	5.42	$400
9th		Ronnie McClelland	Crosby,TX	5.34	$350
10th		Tim Merriman	Leesville,TX	5.20	$300
11th		William Self	Orange,TX	5.03	$250
12th		Thomas Anderson	Longville,TX	4.98	$200
Bonus Card		Dennis Fleming	Huntingtin,TX	4.97	$125
Bonus Card		Wayne Loven	Fairfield,TX	4.29	$100
8-9 HOUR
Bonus Shirt		Reggie Rivera	Lumberton,TX	8.53	$1,000
1st		Reggie Rivera	Lumberton,TX	8.53	$1,000
2nd		Steve Delia	Deridder,LA	8.41	$900
3rd		Chase Fulfer	Woodville,TX	6.37	$800
4th		Terry Hotard	Livonia,LA	6.16	$700
5th		Erik Calloway	Elm Grove ,LA	6.11	$600
6th		Brian Duprie	Buna,TX	5.70	$500
7th		Mike Haney	Dallas,TX	5.67	$450
8th		Thomas Wolford	Livingston,TX	5.06	$400
9th		Robert Webb	Deltona,FL	4.94	$350
10th		Celia Doyle	Driftwood,TX	4.85	$300
11th		Alan Durham	Magnolia,TX	4.82	$250
12th		Jeff Campbell	Nacogdoches,TX	4.81	$200
9-10 HOUR
1st		Freddie Buchholz	Beaumont,TX	8.51	$1,000
2nd		Leonard Chapa	Pasadena,TX	7.80	$900
3rd		Theo Avlos	Alma,AR	7.26	$800
4th		Walter Peddy	Nacogdoches,TX	7.14	$700
5th		Billy May	Kennard,TX	6.90	$600
6th		Mitch Looper	Hackett,AR	6.80	$500
7th		Chris Costellow	Colmesneil,TX	6.52	$450
8th		Adverl Williams	Silsbee,TX	6.36	$400
9th		Jason Horton	Lufkin,TX	6.09	$350
10th		Charles Vaughn	Mountainburg,AR	6.07	$300
11th		Clifford McCarty	Longview,TX	6.04	$250
12th		Keith Holloway	Rapid City,SD	5.51	$200
Bonus Card		Danny Robertson	Cypress,TX	5.44	$125
Bonus Card		Vick Cucancic	Kirbyville,TX	5.29	$100
10-11 HOUR
1st		Brad Myers	Sulpher,LA	10.60	$1,000
2nd		Corey Fuller	Mount Belview,TX	7.33	$900
3rd		Randy Coleman	Orange,TX	7.26	$800
4th		Tony Cormier	Port Neches	7.20	$700
5th		Robert Wilson	Friendswood,TX	7.06	$600
6th		David Adams	Winnfield,LA	6.21	$500
7th		Cecil Matthews	Orange,TX	6.13	$450
8th		Anthony Murray	Lufkin,TX	5.97	$400
9th		Alicia Heusdain	Tomball,TX	5.73	$350
10th		Chad Thibodeaux	Houma,TX	5.73	$300
11th		Mike McDonald	Lake Charles,LA	5.50	$250
12th		Ray Powell	Roundrock,TX	5.27	$200
11-12 HOUR
1st		Michael Weade	Spring,TX	8.79	$1,000
2nd		Clint Walker	Port Neches,TX	8.33	$900
3rd		Kyle Lominac	Houston,TX	6.72	$800
4th		Thomas Berry	Buna ,TX	5.89	$700
5th		Robert Laird Jr.	livingston,TX	5.80	$600
6th		Sammy Read	Jasper,TX	5.71	$500
7th		Dwayne Pavlock	Navasots,TX	5.24	$450
8th		Kirk Schellhase	Etoile,TX	5.17	$400
9th		William Harris	Laird Hill,TX	5.16	$350
10th		Kevin Parent	Denham springs ,TX	5.04	$300
11th		Robert Hare	Silsbee,TX	4.97	$250
12th		David Newberry	LAPorte ,TX	4.87	$200
Bonus Card		Joel Crawford	Willis,TX	4.83	$125
Bonus Card		Ty Sontag	livingston,TX	4.77	$100
12-1 HOUR
Bonus Shirt		NA			$1,000
1st		Lee Lacour	Highlands,TX	10.27	$1,000
2nd		Kevin Kubeczka	Houston,TX	9.65	$900
3rd		Justin Park	Etoile,TX	9.49	$800
4th		Carroll Lewing	Lufkin,Tx	7.69	$700
5th		Jerry Gilley	west Monroe ,LA	7.48	$600
6th		Doug Rushing	Nacogdoches,TX	6.22	$500
7th		John Brown	Palestine,TX	6.01	$450
8th		Mike Clifton	Garrison,TX	5.92	$400
9th		Ryan Hartley	Carthage,TX	5.90	$350
10th		Sam Roach	Newnan,GA	5.80	$300
11th		Chris Bush	Hardin,TX	5.78	$250
12th		Betty Kathy Eastwood	Sumrall,Ms	5.69	$200
1-2 HOUR
1st		James Goodpasture	Jackson,MO	8.47	$1,000
2nd		Steven Due	Buna,TX	8.42	$900
3rd		Mike stegall	Port Neches,TX	6.62	$800
4th		Jerry Hough	Kirbyville,TX	6.09	$700
5th		Gary Vanya	Kirbyville,TX	5.99	$600
6th		Donny Harris	Corrigan,TX	5.95	$500
7th		John Moon	Brookeland,TX	5.75	$450
8th		William Bates	Lena,TX	5.35	$400
9th		Sterling Simon	Morse,TX	5.26	$350
10th		David McNabb	Crockett,TX	5.25	$300
11th		Justin Buckhholz	Beaumont,TX	5.22	$250
12th		Terry Zittle	Wylie,Tx	5.16	$200
Bonus Card		Rusty Trailer	Broaddus,TX	5.03	$125
Bonus Card		Joe Kirbow	Beaumont,TX	4.91	$100
3.00 EXACT		J.R. McDonald	Hemphill,TX		$5,000
4.00 EXACT		Wesley Raines	Pearland,TX		$5,000
5.00 EXACT		NA	NA		$5,000