I didn't want to hi jack Matts thread. Thought I'd share some facts that are currently happening.

This year at Lake Fork, we had 37 states represented, as we do every year, if not more, some years less. Sept is vacation time for many families during the Sealy McDonalds Big Bass Splash for Cash. First off, for over 20 years, Bob Sealy has hosted these tournaments benifiting the Ronald McDonald house in Tex, La. and now in Georgia and Florida.

First off, guides on Fork or pros aren't eligible, its the largest amatuer Big Fish tournament. Even has kids divisions , up to 12 years old, for bass, crappie, catfish, perch, til noon for 3 days straight at all the adults tourneys, thus family affair.

Sealy pays out 12 places every hour from 8 to 3pm every day for 3 days, thats 286 hourly checks, from 1000,900,800,700,600,500 all the way down to 200.oo for 12th place for that hour. Thats 3 days of fishing for an entry of $200.00. you don't have to fish all three. Sealy paid out 1.5 million dollars in 2007 at Events held on Sam Rayburn in April $560,000.oo, Toledo Bend in June $360,000.00, Lake Fork in Sept, $400,000.

Thats only half the fun. At Sam, he gives a boat (Triton valued at 17K, or gives away sometimes 5 grand for the first bass weighed in for a 3.00,4.00,5.00 every days for all three days. People, thats for all 3 weights, not one. If nobody wins the 4lb even fish Friday, that prize will be drawn at random on Sunday and given away. All Prizes are guaranteed.

At Fork, its for the first 2.50 every day wins a Triton TR186. If no one hits 2.50, it drawn and given to a paid contestant.

This year was Bobs second year on Guntersville, and first year in Florida.       Bob Sealy Outdoors is the organization that host the Redfish cup by O berto beef jerky. Class act, family driven and oriented.

Check Bob Sealy outdoors on the web to learn more.      

You just might want to come down sometime for a fall Bass Resource get together with your families and fish Fork.

Do you guys remember the story of the 11 year old fishing the Big Bass Splash with his Dad? He caught and 11+ to win over 100,000.oo. The first place package is always the Sportsman's Package, a new Hummer H2, a new Triton 21 X2, a travel trailer, and a Bad Boys Hunting Buggy, value at over 120K.

One fish is all it takes. There are a lot more things that happen, you just got check him out.

Matt

Big bass for the tournament wins H3 Hummer & Triton 186Dc powered by 150 Mercury

One of my partners won a Triton on Toledo Bend this year with a 3 lb even bass; only bass he caught all day.

Bob Sealy also does a big catfish tournament and a little anglers division for bass, catfish, perch, and crappie.

Total weight for 3 days on the Bend was 1,719.76 with 452 bass weighed in for a 3.8 lb average

Oh yea Matt it's Lake Guntersville,  Alabama    

Sounds like a lot of fun Matt and you don't have to be a member of some elitist club to fish it.

And an 11 year old won 100,000?  That would sure shake up those CA boys!   ;D  I can see why they want to limit their field out there to the "chosen ones", wouldn't want the prima donna's shown up by a youngin!  

Heck, even that dink catching KVD could show up and win sumthin with a 3lber!

Few years back, ESPN had footage of the 11 year old on ESPN, they do film these events the past years.   ESPN.   Imagine not being able to drive for 5 years and owning a Hummer and Triton Tr 21X

Truly a family event.    Top 5 paid out overall at all 5 tourneys, obviously, the more that fish, the bigger the payout goes.   2nd place overall walks with new truck and boat, 3rd is travel trailer and 4th and 5th are Bad Boy Buggies Total electric 4x4's.

Guntersville and Florida are newer, and the Texas Events are all over 20 years old and still going strong.

No memberships required, they do boat checks for those in the money to ensure you are currently registered, life jackets, and kill switch works.

They do random polygraphs to keep honest people honest.      

The one in June, on T Bend, is the one Catt showed me a spot or two and paid me 900.00 for finishing 2nd place for the hour with a 5.39.    

This is broadcast live on the radio all day.     There was only about 5 times in the whole tournament that a 5.39 could win 2nd place for the hour and take home 900.    I had that fish in the livewell a few hours before I weighed her in.   Just so happens, i played some good poker with her and cashed in well.

If I weighed her earlier, she was worth maybe 600.    You got to know when to weighem and when to holdem.

Thanks again Catt,

that sure sounds like a lot of fun, I need to look around my area for events

Over 560,000 dollars up for grabs on Sam Rayburn's BBS in 2008.    Strictly amatuers only.    Then in June,$360,000.00 up for the taking, they are on Catt's big Pond, Toledo Bend, and then in the fall, sept., its on to Lake Fork for another 400,000.oo.

Guntersville will be 3rd annual and he's already paying out 100,000 on its third year.

Check out Sealy outdoors for the largest big bass splashes ever held.

In 2009, his anniversary on Sam Rayburn will pay out an even million, quarter of a mil to the winner.    Not bad for one fish and amatures only.

Hookem