Big Bucks On The Line For Biggest Bass In Grand Lake Big Bass Bash
In 2006 Charlie Terrell and his dad were driving back to Missouri from Lake Guntersville where they had just fished in a big bass tournament and they got to talking about the fact that there was nothing like that going on at any of the Missouri lakes.
So, they decided to launch their own and the first tournament on Lake O’ the Ozarks drew more than 500 entries and paid $64,000 in prize money, Terrell said. In the nine years since Terrell’s Big Bass Bash tournaments have awarded more than $2 million in prize money to lucky anglers. More than half a million dollars in prize money will be given in three Big Bass Bash tournaments in 2015 – one in the spring and one in the fall on Lake O’ the Ozarks and one this weekend on Grand Lake.
Between 1,000 and 1,200 entries are expected for the tournament this weekend on Grand Lake, with more than $123,000 in prize money on the line. More than 96 places will be paid and whoever catches the biggest bass of the weekend will go home with $51,000 in cash.
“We had our first one at Grand Lake last year and we had right at 800 anglers and a $100,000 payout,” Terrell said.
The Big Bass Bash is for amateurs only, allowing weekend anglers a chance to win big money like the professionals. Unlike most fishing tournaments which have a team arrangement where prizes are based on total weight, the Big Bass Bash format is distinctive in that it only takes one angler just one big bass to win.
The top 3 heaviest bass of the weekend will win these cash prizes: 1st Place Overall, $50,000; 2nd Place Overall, $15,000; and 3rd Place Overall, $10,000. In addition to the three overall payouts, there will be over $45,000 in guarantied cash prizes for the 12 largest bass caught during each bi-hourly weigh-in period, for a total of 96 bi-hourly payouts. There is also a children’s division for kids 12 and younger, and a $250 bonus for the lady who hauls in the biggest bass.
The Midwest has been pounded by heavy rains over the last month and Grand Lake is high, Terrell said, but with the willows flooded fishing is expected to be good.
“The temperature is expected to be 97 on Saturday and 99 on Sunday, with zero chance for precipitation, so it’s going to be a warm one,” he said.
There will be three weigh-in locations to accommodate the Big Bass Bash anglers. Weigh-in locations are Wolf Creek, Bernice Point, and Arrowhead South.
Terrell added that the high payouts in the Big Bass Bash series would not be possible without good sponsors.
“I want to thank the Grand Lake Association, Grand Lake Casino, Ranger Boats, Lews and the Grand River Dam Authority. Brad Davis with the GRDA has been a tremendous help in getting things organized for the tournament.”
Big Bass Bash
Jul 18-19, 2015
Grand Lake
Wolf Creek
Call 314-560-2546
