Herring Wins at McDonald's Big Bass Splash - By Donald Gervais

Less than one-half pound separated the four 10-pound bass that crossed the weigh scale at the 21st annual McDonald's Big Bass Splash held on Toledo Bend Lake held June 22-24. Houston tackle shop owner Joe Herring's 10-.93 pound lunker was top bass and earned him the grand prize of a 2007 H3 Hummer and a Triton TR186 DC Bass Boat powered by a Mercury 150 Optimax, a package valued at over $90,000.

"This year's tournament is dedicated to the men and women of the Armed Forces", said Bob Sealy of Sealy Outdoors. "They do what they do we can do what we do."

Herrins's wife of 17 years Martha was not present at the tournament. She was at a family reunion that he had passed up in favor fishing the tournament, his 12th McDonald's Big Bass Splash at Toledo Bend.

I'm kind of in the dog house," said the owner of Tackle Hut. "She did tell me that if I win I might get out of it."

Herring had to endure the results of over two and a half days of hourly weigh-ins before he was declared the winner after weigh in his fish during the 10-11AM hour on Friday. "I won't lie to you, I've hardly slept in two days."

Shawn Butler of Orange weighed the runner up bass the following hour, a 10.83 pound lunker. Butler took home the consolation prize, a 2007 Dodge Ram pickup valued at $27,000.

The leaders were not in jeopardy on Saturday as only the two 9-pound bass of the tournament crossed the scales. However their lead was in question at the very first hourly weigh in on Sunday when two anglers brought in their 10 + pound fish back-to-back.

Cody Whitaker, a 15 year old of Woodville, MS fishing in his second Big Bass Splash, weighed in a 10.53 fish followed by Walter Wilson of Hemphill with a 10.47 bass. Whitaker took home the third place prize, a Cherokee travel trailer valued at over $14,000 for the biggest fish of his life and Whitaker took home an all electric 4 wheel drive Bad Boy Buggy.

A record 2,200 anglers competed for over $360,000 in prizes and cash at this year's event. Anglers competed for hourly big bass payouts. The top 12 anglers of each hour receive cash awards, 14 on bonus hours. A daily T-shirt hour awards an additional $500 to the winner if they have a tournament T-shirt. Anglers were kept abreast of the hourly standings by a live feed from KICKS 105 radio. DJ's Danny Merrell and Sean Ericson announced the current standings and interviewed many of the sponsors and guest at the event.

In addition to the hour awards and the grand prizes, the first 3.00-pound bass weighed each day wins a Triton bass boat package valued at over $20,0000. No event 3.00-pound bass crossed the scales on Friday so the boat was up for an open drawing amongst all of the anglers present at the finale on Sunday. It was won by Ron Scofield of Opps, AL. Saturday's 3.00 fish crossed the scales on the final 2-3 o'clock hour. Dustin Wilson, fishing in his first Big Bass Splash with his father Danny, claimed the boat.

Sunday's 3.00 bass came earlier in the day during the 9-10 o'clock hour when Sulphur, LA angler Thomas Lee crossed the scales. Lee had offered a word of wisdom during his previous trip to the weigh-in on Friday. He and fishing partner Rick Miller had caught a good fish at 7 am and decided to wait until the last hour to weigh the first. The 7.18 pound bass would have won several top place finished during the day but as part of their strategy they decided to continue fishing and wait until later to bring it to the scales. With 10 minutes to go in the final hour his fish was pumped to second place when Wayne Huckabay of Houston brought in his 7.43 pound bass. Instead of $1,000 he earned $900.

"Think too long, you think wrong" offered Lee with a not too disappointed shrug. Early on Sunday morning Lee and Miller each caught several fish, one very close to 3.00 on their scale. I told him tit was his choice to wait or not," said Miller who was piloting his boat. "But remember wheat you told that man from the newspaper. I was glad when he said let's go."

Spectators at the finale were eligible for a chance to win a Cherokee Travel Trailer provided from Kite Brothers, The camper, valued at over $14,000 was won by Sammy Ray Foote of Anacocco, LA.

Anglers were not the only winners at the Splash Sealy presented a check for $10,800 to Sandra Craft, of the Leesville McDonald's restaurant. The donation will go to the Ronald McDonald Houses, which offers lodging for children and their families who are undergoing medial treatment near hospitals.

Craft offered her heartfelt thanks for the contribution and that after 21 years she and her family were retiring from the business.

"It's grown so much since the first tournament 21 years ago and so much good has been done with the contributions," said Craft.

Young anglers are given the opportunity to win during the Splash. Children are eligible to win awards and prizes in four categories. The top three fish in bass, bream, white perch and catfish received awards and gift certificates to Academy Outdoors. A list of the Little Anglers daily winners and information of the scheduled events can be found online at the Sealy Outdoors website at: https://www.sealyoutdoors.com/

Sealy welcomed the many businesses that have become part of the Sealy Big Bass Splash Family over the years and to the newcomers to the event. He gave special thanks to the tournament crew. "They make it happen," said Sealy. "I'm only the voice."

Sealy Outdoors continues to grow from the humble beginnings that began 23 years ago on the shore of Lake Sam Rayburn. This year, 24 events are scheduled across the country,  including the ESPN Red Cup Series and a Big Bass Splash near Ocala, Florida in the fall.

Sealy announced that a Big Catfish Splash would be scheduled for Toledo Bend in 2008, under similar rules of the big bass format. He also announced that he was guaranteeing a $1 million payout to commemorate the 25th Anniversary Big Bass Splash at Lake Sam Rayburn in 2009, with $250,000 to the winner.

"The potential of Toledo Bend as a fishery is being realized," said Sealy. "It's not a difficult lake to fish or get around, The best is yet to come."

Major sponsors of the 2007 Big Bass Splash at Toledo Bend include: Triton Boats, Merucry Marine, Navionics, Lowrance Electronics, Shimano, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Bad Boy Buggy, Cherokee Trailers/Kite Brothers RV of DeRidder, LA, Weaver Motors, Dodge of Kirbyville, TX, Ron Carter Hummer, Cocoon Eyewear and McDonald's.