The 31st Annual Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash on Lake Fork was held September 15, 16, and 17 out of Lake Fork Marina. The tournament had 2,361 anglers representing 28 states fishing in hopes of winning some of the $475,000 guaranteed in cash and prizes.
Fifteen hundred dollars was paid for 1st place in each hour. If an angler had bought a T-shirt and won 1st place in any of those hours, they would win $3,000. There were 15 places paid each hour of the 3-day tournament with fifteenth paying $250 dollars and two additional places paid in the Bonus Card hours. Each day of the tournament if an angler brought in the first exact weight of 2.50-pounds, that angler would not only win the placement in the hour but also an additional check for $5,000.
During the course of the tournament only one bass was brought to the scales weighing an exact 2.50-pounds. This money making catch was made by Tommy Climer from Mesquite, Texas winning him $900 for the hour and $5,000 for the bonus. No other exact weight was brought in on Saturday or Sunday of the tournament.
Lake Fork is a Class 'A' slot lake, the slot being 16" to 24", which means any bass between those two numbers cannot be brought to the scales. This also meant that some anglers that caught a 1.86-pound bass up to a 2.55-pound bass took home good money from the tournament.
During the course of the three-day tournament there were 1,042 fish weighed in with a total weight of 2,010.32-pounds. There were 21 bass weighed in during the tournament 24" in length or longer.
On Friday Chad O'Neal from Amity, Arkansas weighed a 10.38, big bass; Ivan Bradshaw from Quitman, Texas with an 8.52; Brayden Rawlinson from Jacksonville, Texas with an 8.85; Tommy Jones from Porter, Texas with a 7.70; Clyde Stephenson from Van Alstyne, Texas with a 9.08; Lawrence Scott from Bossier City, Louisiana with an 8.03; Jimmy D. Robertson from Lufkin, Texas with a 7.69; Perry Dixon Jr. from Temple, Texas with a 9.56; John Moore from Maud, Texas with a 7.42; and Don Penick from Dallas, Texas with a 6.14. On Saturday Matthew McClure from Mansfield, Texas weighed a 7.45 trophy catch.
On Sunday James Clark from Denham Springs, Louisiana with a 10.57; Larry Heinrick from White Hall, Arkansas with an 8.27; John W. Carter from Mabank, Texas with a 7.83; Samuel Holbrook from Ogdensburg, Wisconsin with an 8.50; Eric Kirkland from Marshall, Texas with an 8.39; Christopher Osborn from Hattieville, Arkansas with an 8.06; Michael Conner from Katy, Texas with an 8.36; Lawrence Scott from Bossier City, Louisiana with an 8.71; John Goergen from Yantis, Texas with a 6.86; and Ruger Long from Teague, Texas with a 10.52.
Winning 1st Place overall heaviest bass in the tournament was James Clark from Denham Springs, Louisiana with his 10.57-pound bass. He took home $1,500 for the hour, a 2017 Triton 19 TRX, powered by Mercury, a RAM Truck plus an additional $7,000.
Winners in the Little Anglers Division were Lain and Luke Tomlinson, Nathan Brookman, Kaleb Woodard, Alexander Finch Jr., Hunter Whitney, Cash Harrison, Izzy Stroman, Luke Hamilton, Josh Arrant, Fisher Nalls, Max Garvin, Hudson Blundell, Colton Mackey and Brady Gordy.
For more information and the daily hourly weights go to www.sealyoutdoors.com . To learn more about Sealy Outdoors Tournaments and schedules you can contact Nicole Sealy at [email protected] or call 888-698-2591.