11.48 pounds wins the 24^th Annual McDonald’s Big Bass Splash on Toledo Bend-By Patty Lenderman / The Lakecaster

It was an exciting weekend at Cypress Bend Marina, with lots of big bass crossing the scales at the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash on Toledo Bend.  Nearly half a million dollars in cash and prizes were won by anglers from all across the country.  Layne LaCaze of Robeline, LA had a long but worthwhile wait after bringing in his 11.48 lb catch Saturday morning to be declared winner when the scales officially closed on Sunday.

Entertainers including Louisiana Express and American Idol finalist Michael Sarver rocked the crowd.  In addition, each year the lunker replicas of all bass over 10 pounds registered with the Toledo Bend Lake Association Lunker program are awarded to the anglers who caught them during the Toledo Big Bass Splash. Thirty four big bass were registered in the program since last year! Seven of them were over 12 pounds. This program is open to any anger fishing Toledo Bend year round! For more information about this program, click to www.ToledoBendLakeCountry.com or www.toledo-bend.com/tbla. 

Recap Day 1:  George Clay of Deer Park, TX seizes lead position with an 8.61 lb catch.  Ricky Smith claims the 3.0 and Mike Shannon weighs in the 4.0 exact weight bass to win $5,000.

Day 2:  The leaderboard shuffled as Layne LaCaze of Robeline, LA took a dominating lead in the tournament with his 11.48 lb bass.  David Atwell of Woodville, TX weighs in the first 3.0 lb fish of the day to win $5,000 and the 4.0 was not weighed in, putting that prize money in an open drawing on the final day.

Day 3:  Right from the start, anglers were gunning for the exact 3.00 and 4.00 $5,000 prizes.  The first angler to weigh in hit 2.98 lbs, mere drops of water from locking in on the prize.  It wasn’t until the 8-9:00 hour when Robert Ates of Lacompte, LA hit the 3.00 mark for the win.

In addition to the hourly checks won, the top five overall anglers with the biggest bass of the tournament receive additional prize packages and awards.

1^st place – 11.48 lbs, Layne LaCaze of Robeline, LA

“Sportsman’s Package” – 2010 Dodge Truck, plus a Triton Bass Boat powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota, Lowrance, Navionics and Power Pole

“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 topwater 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!”

2^nd place – 8.83 lbs, Scott Jones of Gilmer, TX

Triton Bass Boat powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota and Lowrance

“We have been fishing this same spot for three days!”  Using a wacky worm in 6’-7’ of water, “the hydrilla was thick.  I lifted my rod and it was heavy.  I thought I had a bunch of grass or was stuck on something.  Then it started swimming toward me.  I set the hook and the fight was on!”

3^rd place – 8.61 lbs, George Clay of Deer Park, TX

Dodge Truck from Weaver Motors of Kirbyville, TX

A Carolina rigged trick worm in 17+ feet of water is what brought this big sow to the scales.

4^th place – 8.27 lbs, Jim Campbell of Many, LA

Stealth ATV from Stealth Manufacturing, West Monroe, LA

5^th place – 8.08 lbs, William Stueart of Texarkana, TX

Stealth ATV from Stealth Manufacturing, West Monroe, LA

A new Toledo Bend record was set with 2,330 entries!  It is tradition each year that the winner of the year prior receives a replica of his winning bass.  Richard Stephens won the 2009 Toledo McDonald’s Big Bass Splash with his 11.07 lb catch and received his replica. 

Another record, this one for the oldest tournament angler was recognized with Miss Myrtle Smith.  She is 102 years old and still fishing the Big Bass Splash.  Bob awarded her free entries into any of his tournaments she would like to fish for the rest of her life.  Keeping it all in the family, her great grandson Douglas Smith III competed in the Little Anglers Division.  He weighed in a 3.00 exact weight bass as well as one near five pounds.  He was also awarded free lifetime entries into any Big Bass Splash he would like to compete in – but in the adult division! 

“It’s not over yet!” Bob Sealy announced to the crowd.  “Last year we celebrated 25 years on Sam Rayburn with a million dollar event.  We set world wide records for participants with well over 7,000 anglers.  We’re going to do it again in 2014 at our 30^th anniversary on Sam Rayburn!”