"Crankin’ out the Cash" at the 26^th Annual McDonald’s Big Bass Splash -
Story & Photos by Patty Lenderman

Big bass and more are being caught at the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash on Sam Rayburn.  With two full days to go, the current leader is Randy Turner of Lufkin, TX who weighed in a 9.15 lb bass during the 8:00-9:00 hour.  That’s not the only big news of the day – a possible new IGFA record was also caught – a 197 pound alligator gar!

For more than a quarter of a century, the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash has evolved to mean many things to many people.  Acclaimed as being the largest amateur tournament on the planet, it has become a family tradition for all.  Traveling from all over the globe, anglers from Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Italy, Mexico and XX states were represented to fish this 26^th Annual event on Sam Rayburn April 16-18, 2010 at the Umphrey Family Pavilion.  The excitement will continue to build each day to the grand finale on Sunday.  Entertainer Michael Sarver will entertain the crowd along with other musical groups.

This annual event, occurring not only on Sam Rayburn where it was birthed, also takes place on Toledo Bend, Lake Guntersville, and Lake Fork.  It is an opportunity for amateur anglers to make professional dollars on a single catch.  So many ways to win!  The top 12 weights each hour are cash winners.  $5,000 to each of the first exact 3, 4 and 5 pound bass each day.  Elimination draw Triton/Mercury, “Early Bird” entry drawing and an “Open Drawing that even the spectators are eligible for.

The first anglers of the day began rolling into the arena at 6:45am.  The top weight seats quickly filled with many just missing the exact weight bonuses.  Crockett, TX angler Darren Webb set the initial bar for the overall big bass of the tournament with his 7.04 lb catch.

Many more tries and near misses at the exact weight the second hour.  Both top and bottom weights increased, with Jamie Carnley of Patterson, LA taking over the overall lead with a 7.36 lb bass.  KICKS 105 from Lufkin, TX broadcast live keeping everyone on and off the water updated from the scene.  

A more beautiful day could not have been picked for the thousands of participants and spectators at the Big Bass Splash.  Weathermen had predicted a 20-30% chance of rain all weekend.  This made for cool mornings and soft breezes throughout the day.  The excitement continued as the overall big bass was topped not once – but twice this hour!  Five bass over 8 lbs and two over 9 were weighed in!

The first exact weight was registered with a 3.00 caught by Bronson, TX angler Greg Temple!  He won the first exact weight $5,000 giveaway, still two to go for day 1!

Dean Gaetner of Magnolia, TX caught the first 5.00 exact weight of the day capturing him $5,000.

Scads of big bass were crossing the scales as thousands of dollars were won each hour.  Texas anglers dominated this round, and the first lady angler also won a check!

This is a game of skill, chance and strategy.  First, you have to find fish, then get lucky enough to catch them. Then you have to decide when the best time to weigh it in is.   Is your bass big enough to win a check this hour?  Do you have a better chance the next?  It’s all about knowing when to hold ‘em, and knowing when to weigh. 

“You just never know what can happen at the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash!” exclaimed Bob Sealy, proprietor of the organization.  Jarod Holcomb of Basile, LA got the biggest bite of his life around 9:00 am.  “My buddy and I were fishing in about 6’ of water.  I was throwin’ a blueberry blue wacky worm when I got the bite.  As soon as I set the hook I told him to get the net – I got something big!”  He didn’t know yet that he had something GIANT!  “It started ripping drag, and I got on the trolling motor to try to keep up with it.”  He only had 14 pound test line on his reel.  “It dragged us all over the place for about an hour.” IT was an alligator gar – over 8 feet long!  “It finally started getting tired, and we tried several times to get a rope around its tail and couldn’t do it.”  The duo finally lassoed the monster fish and brought it to the tournament site.  Bob Sealy went down to the dock to witness the fish, and Fox 4 was on scene to document the occasion.  Todd Driscoll of Texas Parks and Wildlife was called and directed them to a facility with large certified scales to register the catch.  Sealy stated “You know, we had a 15 year old girl a couple of years ago catch an alligator gar around 185 pounds.  This one is a lot bigger than that!”  The scales locked in at 197 pounds, and beat the current IGFA line class record by 8 pounds!

Kids participating in the Little Anglers Division brought their catches in, too.  Any angler up to 12 years old can participate and can weigh in bass, perch, crappie or catfish until noon each day.

Vendors galore, there are bait, tackle, and product dealers as well as concessions with lots of good things to eat and drink.  There is even a kids zone with lots of fun activities like rock climbing, bungee jumping and more! 

Although many attempts were made at the 4 pound exact weight bass, several missing by only 1/100ths of a pound, no one hit it to win.  Therefore, the $5,000 will be given away in a drawing to a lucky participant Sunday!