Story By Don Hampton – “The Fisherman’s Guide News”
Mud, mud and more mud was the scenery at the 32nd Annual Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash held on Lake Fork September 21, 22, 23, 2018. Mother Nature was not kind to the anglers nor to the tournament. With constant rains during the course of the tournament, Bob and his staff made the best of a bad situation making it as comfortable and safe as possible for anglers and spectators. It took twenty-one bales of hay spread out to make the walkways safe for all.
With $497,000 guaranteed in cash and prizes, there were 2,398 entries into the tournament. These anglers representing states across the country came to compete.
On day one of the tournament there were 317 bass weighed in for a total weight of 649.01 pounds. The excitement started early with three bass over the slot weighed in the first hour. Rusty Miller from Elmer, LA weighed in a 8.96-pound bass, Ricky Allen from Longview, TX weighed in a 7.75-pound bass and Todd Anderson from Ovilla, TX weighed in a 6.37-pound bass. During the 8 to 9 o’clock hour there were three 24” and over bass weighed in; Todd Mayes from Ranger, TX weighed in an 8.41-pound bass, Brent Breznik from Borger, TX weighed in a 7.27-pound bass and Billy Klawetter from Garland, TX weighed in a 7.03- pound bass. In the 9 to 10 o’clock hour there was one over that came to the scales. This was caught by Mark Mahar from Anna, TX and weighed 7.76-pounds. The next hour for an over the slot of 24” came in the 12 to 1 o’clock hour. This bass was caught by Robert White from Bryan, TX and weighed 7.77-pounds. In the last hour of the first day Jimmy Thomas from Ethelsville, AL took over the lead as the heaviest bass thus far when he caught everyone’s attention when he weighed 9.17-pound bass. The heaviest bass 16” or under receiving the $5,000 bonus and $900 in hourly weighed 2.47-pounds and was caught by Tim Johnson from Alvord, TX.
On day two of the tournament rains were consistent and only 278 bass came to the scales for a total weight of 560.39-pounds. During the first hour of the tournament Chance Lewis brought in a bass weighing 9.25-pounds but he got knocked down to 2nd place for the hour when Cory Reynolds from Midland, TX brought to the scales a bass weighing 9.28-pounds. The next bass over the slot came in the 9 to 10 o’clock hour caught by Joe Courts from Katy, TX weighing 8.75-pounds. During the 10 to 11 o’clock hour Charles Blundell from Gilmer, TX brought a hawg to the scales weighing 11.15-pounds. In the 11 to 12 o’clock hour Brandon Johnson from Crofton, KY brought in a bass weighing 7.65-pounds. The heaviest bass under the slot of 16” came in the 12 to 1 o’clock hour winning the bonus and 1st place in the hour. This lucky angler was Timothy Weaver from Edgewood, TX and his bass weighed 2.76-pounds.
On day three of the tournament the rains subsided somewhat, and the catch rate improved.
Sunday showed 299 bass for a total weight of 627.41-pounds coming to the scales. Over the slot bass were weighed in every hour on this day.
It began the first hour when Ricky Carroll from Pittsburg, TX weighed in an 8.42-pound bass. In the second hour Anthony Dupree from Alba, TX weighed in a 9.00-pound bass. During the 9 to 10 o’clock hour John Pierstorff from Scottsdale, AZ weighed in a 9.72-pound bass and Thomas Liner from Simsboro, LA weighed in an 8.22-pound bass. In the 10 to 11 o’clock hour Tommy Nichols from Fayette, AL weighed in an 8.86-pound bass; Michael Smith from Bismarck, AR weighed in an 8.31-pound bass; Keith Eiland from Camden, AR weighed in a 7.66-pound bass and Ronnie Hill from Canadian, TX weighed in a 5.85-pound bass. In the 11 to 12 o’clock hour Roger Lee Wells from Waxahachie, TX weighed in an 8.80-pound bass. In the 12 to 1 o’clock hour Tim Crow from Malvern, AR weighed in a 9.03-pound bass. In the 1 to 2 o’clock hour Richard Rothe from Alba, TX weighed in a 7.06-pound bass. The heaviest bass under 16” winning the $5,000 bonus was caught by Tony Reed from Powderly, TX and weighed 2.73-pounds.
All the Little Anglers that participated are to be congratulated for their accomplishments. The smiles on those children’s faces were heartwarming.
Winning 1st place overall with a weight of 11.15-pounds was Charles Blundell. He took home his hourly winning
plus a 2018 Triton 19TRX powered by Mercury, a RAM truck plus $7,000. Coming in 2nd place with a weight of 9.72-pounds was John Pierstorff. He took home his hourly winnings, a 2018 Triton 18TRX powered by Mercury, a RAM truck and $2,000. Winning 3rd place overall was Cory Reynolds with 9.28-pounds. He took home his hourly winnings plus a 2018 Triton 18TRX powered by Mercury plus $1,000. In 4th place was Chance Lewis with a weight of 9.25-pounds. He took home his hourly winnings plus $8,000. In 5th place with a weight of 9.17-pounds was Jimmy Thomas. He took home his hourly winnings plus $6,000.
In the elimination drawing Manuel Beasley from Jackson, MS took home a 2018 Triton 189TRX powered by Mercury.
One of the incentives in Sealy Outdoors Tournaments on Lake Fork is the even weight bass of 2.50-pounds and all pay-outs are guaranteed. No bass of this weight came to the scales during the tournament. For this there was a drawing for that prize money. Taking home a surprising $5,000 for their name being drawn was William N. Reed from Longview, TX, Michael D. Reed from Jonesboro, LA, and James T. Leftwich from Derby, KS.
If you would like to fish one of the Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash, check them out at www.sealyoutdoors.com this is “Where Amateurs Win Like Pros!!”