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Frequently Asked Questions - McDonald’s®
Big Bass Splash®
What is the
Big Bass Splash?
The richest amateur bass
tournament in the country!
How is it different?
·
No Blast
Off - A typical
bass tournament has a “blast off” where all of the anglers leave a specific dock
all at the same time of the morning, usually about 6:00 AM and then return to
that dock at about 2:00 PM to weigh in a limit, or stringer, of five fish for a
chance to win the tournament prizes based on the heaviest limit of fish. In the
McDonald’s® Big Bass Splash®, anglers may
leave from any dock on the tournament lake.
· Hourly
Weigh-ins – Anglers may return to the weigh-in site every hour during the
day to weigh in one fish for a chance to win one of the hourly cash prizes based
on the top single heaviest fish during that hour. So anglers in the
McDonald’s® Big Bass Splash® have chances to
win each hour (8 hours a day) each day of the tournament,
· Overall
Prize Awards - At
the end of the tournament, the five single heaviest fish overall will win
additional prizes. So anglers in the McDonald’s® Big Bass Splash®
have chances to win each hour (8 hours a day) each day of the tournament, and
then can win overall prizes also. The event also features bonus awards and
games, even an open drawing that spectators can get into.
· Guaranteed
Payback - Most
tournaments will only guarantee one place (the winner) and then other places are
paid based on the number of anglers in the field. The McDonald’s®
Big Bas Splash® features a GUARANTEED payback . . . we guarantee
that all cash and prizes will be awarded regardless of the number of entries
received.
Who can enter?
Adults, kids,
anyone who is classified as an amateur angler can fish the McDonald’s Big
Bass Splash®. See official
rules for definitions and eligibility. For kids twelve years and under,
there is also a separate division, the “Little Anglers Division”, in which they
may participate.
What are the rules?
Basically the rules
encompass and highlight safety and sportsmanship issues.
Official Rules and Information are available at www.sealyoutdoors.com. The
Little Anglers
Division has a separate set of rules also available online.
What are the prizes?
The total guaranteed payback
is set for each tournament. See payback schedules for each individual event.
·
All
tournaments are formatted to pay cash prizes hourly. Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend,
and Lake Fork all pay 12 places per hour; Lake Guntersville will pay 5 places per hour.
·
Overall awards
are typically prize packages featuring sponsor products and valued at thousands
of dollars, they may also be cash awards. See payback schedules for each
individual event for specific awards.
The bonus games include:
·
The “Exact
Weight Bass Bonus” in which the first contestant to weigh-in a bass weighing
the exact weight specified for that tournament will win a bonus of either cash
or sponsor product. See payback schedules for each individual event for specific
awards.
·
The
Elimination Drawing Bonus is a game in which five tournament
contestants are drawn at random to participate in an on-stage game of chance and
elimination. The “last man standing” wins a sponsor product prize, typically a
boat or ATV!
·
The Early
Bird Bonus is a drawing in which five tournament contestants whose entries
were received prior to the cut off date (set for each individual event) are
drawn at random and awarded $200 gift certificates for shopping at a select
outdoor retailer.
·
The Open
Drawing Bonus is a drawing in which one lucky name is pulled at
random from among all the contestants and spectators in attendance on Sunday and
awarded a valuable sponsor product prize, typically a Travel Trailer or ATV!
How did it all start?
In 1984 Bob Sealy
created the Big Bass Splash® format for an event benefiting the Ronald McDonald
House® and Select Charities on Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas. It quickly became known
affectionately as the “McBass” tournament and was so popular that two more were
added to the schedule on Lakes Toledo Bend in Louisiana and Fork in Texas. These
three are still going strong and now draw from 2,000 to 6,000 anglers per
tournament each year! In addition to the tournament, a community festival, the
“Block Party” has been added for even more fun and enjoyment throughout the
weekend.
Read More.
How much does it cost to
enter?
Anglers may fish one
or more days of the tournament and be eligible for all prizes and awards. Sam
Rayburn, Toledo Bend, and Lake Fork are three day events whereas Lake
Guntersville is currently a two day event.
·
1-day entry is
$110
·
2-day entry is
$160
·
3-day entry is
$210
Do I have to fish with a
partner?
No, this is an
individual tournament. Anglers may fish in a boat together, but each person in
the boat must be an entered tournament contestant. No spectators are allowed in
the boat.
Do anglers have to fish
from a boat?
No. Another difference
between “most tournaments” and the “McBass” is that anglers may fish any way
they choose, from a boat, the bank, a jet-ski, an inner-tube, a kayak . . .
How do I enter?
·
Online - www.sealyoutdoors.com
·
Mail-in - PO
Drawer 5431 - Sam
Rayburn, TX 75951
·
In Person -
join us at one of the designated registration locations prior to each event and
enter by paying with cash or credit card. See registration schedules for each
event.
Who sponsors these
events?
Major corporate
sponsors include: Triton Bass Boats, Mercury Marine, Academy Sports & Outdoors,
Shimano Rods & Reels, Minn Kota, Bad Boy Buggies, Lowrance Electronics, Navionics,
T-H Marine and Power Pole.
How does the event
benefit the Ronald McDonald House® and Select Charities?
$5 for every entry
received is donated to the charities supported by the local McDonald’s®
owner/operator with a check being presented at the close of each event. Over the
past 23 years, well over a million dollars has been raised and donated through
the events.
How can anglers learn
more about the McDonald’s® Big Bass Splash®?
·
Online -
www.sealyoutdoors.com
·
Toll free -
888.698.2591
·
Pick up a
“Splash® Times” Event Directory at a local McDonald’s® restaurant, Academy
Sports & Outdoors Store, Triton/Mercury dealer, or local tackle/convenience
retailer in the tournament lake areas.
How can I get involved
with the Block Party Festival?
Contact the
Vendor/Exhibitor Information for vendor/exhibitor applications.
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