Day 2 – New Leader at the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash on Toledo Bend

Layne LaCaze seizes the lead with an 11.48 lb catch! By Patty Lenderman / The Lakecaster

The excitement continues as the leader board shuffles on Day 2 of the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash on Toledo Bend.  

George Clay brought in the biggest bass on Day 1 at 8.61 lbs to establish the lead in this three day tournament.  “I’m just happy to win that hour, there’s a long way to go in this tournament.  I can’t get my hopes up.”  He was right, with several thousand anglers vying for that one bite that could win this tournament and two days left – anything could happen.  And it did.

Just after 8am, Layne LaCaze brought his catch to the scales, and the humongous fish weighed 11.48 lbs!  “It’s the biggest fish I’ve ever caught in my life!” And what a great time for that to happen.  “I was in an area I don’t normally fish,” Layne began.  “There was a grass bed, in about 7’ of water.  I started out throwing top water baits, and caught three or four little ones.”  This spot had deep water nearby, dropping to about 30’.  “I picked up my Carolina rig and went back to it.  She just nailed it!”  He spent the next 40 minutes carefully getting to Cypress Bend to weigh her in.  If it holds up as the biggest weight, LaCaze could take home the 1^st place package of a 2010 Dodge Truck, Triton Boat powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota and Lowrance!

Each day there is a $5,000 award for the first 3.00 and 4.00 pound exact weight bass brought in.  Saturday, the 3.00 exact was won by David Atwell of Woodville, TX during the 10-11:00 hour.  So many attempts had been made all morning, just barely missing the mark.  As soon as Atwell left the stage, the next to weigh was a participant from the Little Anglers Division weighing in a bass – and it was exactly 3.00!  “I’m going to do something special for him!” Bob Sealy declared. 

The 4.00 exact was never weighed in!  That $5,000 award will now be put into a drawing where all participants are eligible to win.  Sunday afternoon is when that will be awarded!

The kids can compete in the Little Anglers Division, weighing in bass, crappie, perch or catfish!  It is open to every kid under 12 years old.  Kids can weigh in their fish until noon each day, and the top three of each kind of fish wins every day!  There were some that got to weigh in on Day 1, but Saturday saw even more with school being out. 

There is always so much to do at the Big Bass Splash, on or off the water!  There are food vendors, product representatives demonstrating their latest gear, Texas Parks & Wildlife is on hand to educate everyone about Giant Salvinia and a Kidz Zone that includes rock wall climbing, bungee fun and more! Sunday afternoon things will heat up even more as entertainers, including Michael Sarver, American Idol finalist, rock the crowd.   

The McDonald’s Big Bass Splash hits four hot destinations each year, all known for their world class fisheries.  In March the fun starts at Lake Guntersville, Alabama.  Next is where it all started on Sam Rayburn, Texas in April.  The Toledo Bend event has traditionally been in June, but you know what?  It’s kind of hot in Texas and Louisiana that time of year, so this year the Toledo tournament is being held in May.  Once the summer heat starts to dissipate, it is off to Lake Fork, Texas for the final event of the year in September.  For all of the details, visit www.SealyOutdoors.com or call 888-698-2591.