High School Anglers Set to Upgrade Gear
at Simmons Big Bass Bonanza
Simmons Big Bass Bonanza bolsters $50,000 prize with incentives for high school anglers.
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LITTLE ROCK, AR (June 1, 2017) — In late June, anglers from across the Natural State will spend three days gathered along 300 miles of the Arkansas River from the Oklahoma border to the Mississippi River. Thousands will fish for a single coveted prize — $50,000 cold hard cash, awarded for the heaviest bass weighed in during the event. The Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza is the state’s largest amateur fishing tournament, and this year’s guaranteed cash prizes include: $50,000 for the largest fish overall; $10,000 for the largest fish overall in each of the remaining four pools; and place money for overall winners per pool, with $900 for second place, $700 for third and $400 for fourth.
Image by Bill Lindner, courtesy of St. Croix Rod
But for a special group of young anglers, the prize pool is even larger, thanks to Simmons Bank and a bevy of event sponsors who have come together to up the ante for high school anglers.
“All high school age anglers will be eligible to win some serious fishing gear,” says tournament director Jill Thiel. “Our sponsors really stepped up to give high school anglers a chance to not only fish for the $50,000 grand prize and the multiple hourly prizes for big fish, but also the chance to upgrade their gear while they’re at it.”
Thiel says anglers grades 6th – 8th and 9th – 12th will have the chance to win one of multiple Raymarine Dragonfly 7-Pro Sonar/GPS fish finder units, Aqua Vu Micro II underwater cameras, Bass X fishing rods from St. Croix Rod, Plano tackle bags, lure prize packs from LIVETARGET lures, BaitCloud fish attractant canisters, and a free Thickburger every week for a year from Hardees.
“Everyone was eager to help out young anglers,” she adds. “They’re the future of the sport.”
Image by Bill Lindner, courtesy of St. Croix Rod
Bassmaster Magazine Editor James Hall says that high school and college fishing has grown exponentially recently, as young superstars rise from their ranks to the pinnacle of professional bass fishing.
“Participation in high school bass fishing has exploded over the past several years,” says Hall. “I don’t know if there is a singular reason for it, but I think there is a perfect storm of support and interest right now. Many organizations, including B.A.S.S. have developed tournament platforms that inspire participation, offering scholarships and exposure to college fishing programs, which in turn offer even more scholarships to high school anglers. Plus, high profile former high school anglers, like Jordan Lee, who just won the Bassmaster Classic, are an inspiration to young fishermen who join a team and want to give it a shot.”
On June 23, 24, and 25, Arkansas anglers will take their own shot at inspiring their young brothers and sisters on the water. “Can one of them win the grand prize? Absolutely,” adds Thiel. “Anyone who registers at ArkansasBigBass.com is eligible to take home that check.”
Last year’s winner, Herbert Holman of Delaware, Arkansas was able to capture the prize with a 7.25-pound largemouth bass landed on the last hour of competition on Day One.
On top of the $50,000 overall prize, all Simmons Big Bass Bonanza anglers are eligible to win an hourly payout for first, second and third place. “Hourly prize money for first, second and third place will be the top priority after the guaranteed prizes are awarded,” says Montine McNulty, Executive Director of Arkansas Hospitality Association. “Overall winners at each pool take home $10,000.” and place money for overall winners per pool, with $900 for second place, $700 for third and $400 for fourth.
As an added bonus, Legend Boats has added the Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza sanctioned Advantage program tournament. Legend Boats Anglers that are registered in the Legend Advantage program (http://legendmarine.com/
What: Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza
Where:
Pool 1: Fort Smith — Downriver from the Garrison Ave. bridge near Fort Smith to the upriver side of Ozark Lock and Dam (mile marker 257).
Pool 2: Russellville — Downriver from Ozark Lock and Dam #12 to the upriver side of Ormond Lock and Dam #9..
Pool 3: North Little Rock — Downriver from Ormond Lock and Dam to the upriver side of Terry Lock and Dam No. 6.
Pool 4: Pine Bluff — Downriver from Terry Lock and Dam to the upriver side of Hardin Lock & Dam No. 3.
Pool 5: Dumas— Downriver from Hardin Lock and Dam to the upriver side of Lock No. 2 and Dam No. 2.
When: June 23, 24, 25, 2017.
Sponsors include Simmons Bank, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Heart of Arkansas, Hardees/Saddle Peak, the Russellville Tourism and Visitor’s Center, the North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Pine Bluff Convention and Visitors Bureau, St. Croix Rod, Raymarine, Baitcloud, LIVETARGET, Plano and Aqua-Vu.
Image by Bill Lindner, courtesy of St. Croix Rod
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