For Immediate Release
June 21, 2010
Contact: Montine McNulty
Executive Director, Arkansas Hospitality Association
(501)376-2323

Little Rock, Ark. – Organizers are pleased to announce that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts that river flow forecasts look good at this time for the tournament dates.

Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza tournament officials are excited regarding the New Payout Format for the 2010 Tournament.

Distribution of Prize Money:
Overall Winner — $50,000 to the largest overall fish GUARANTEED.
Pool Money — $10,000 to the largest overall fish in each of the remaining four pools GUARANTEED.

Place Money per Pool — $900 to 2nd place, $700 to 3rd place and $400 to 4th place to the overall winner in each of the five pools GUARANTEED. The guaranteed cash prizes are still $100,000, just distributed differently to spread out the top prizes.

In addition to the guaranteed prizes, there will be hourly money. (Based on projected entries of 2,200 to 2,500 fishermen)

Hourly Money — $100,000 total.  $1,000 per hour will be awarded in each pool (First place $500, Second Place $300, and Third Place $200).  Hourly money will be the top priority to pay after guaranteed prizes. Also, hourly winners who purchase and are wearing an official tournament T-shirt and cap will receive a $100 bonus.

Prize money for pool winners will increase or decrease $10,000 for every 100 fishermen.

Willow Leaf Award – $1,000 cash to the parent/child or grandparent/grandchild pair weighing the largest bass.  You are eligible if the child or grandchild is under 22 years of age.

Additional Prizes:

Academy Sports and Outdoors will be giving the following prizes in addition to any other tournament prizes.

• A $300.00 Gift Card to any exact 3lb. fish on the 3rd  payout hour, 9:01-10 am
• A $400.00 Gift Card to any exact 4lb. fish on the 4th payout hour, 10:01 -11am
• A $500.00 Gift Card to any exact 5lb. fish on the 5th payout hour, 11:01-12 (noon)

The chance to win these bonuses will be awarded each day and for each of the five fishing pools.

Russell Chevrolet is sponsoring a new prize worth $50,000 this year.  KSSN and KMJX in cooperation with Arkansas Game & Fish Biologists will tag and release 20 largemouth bass into the Arkansas River between Ormond Lock & Dam and Terry Lock and Dam.  The 20 tagged bass will be a minimum length of 16 inches.

One of these bass will be worth $50,000, if it is caught, and if it is among the first five (5) tagged bass caught and presented during the Big Bass Bonanza Tournament hours (6am to 1pm) June 25-June 27.  The other tagged 19 bass will have sponsor prizes attached to them. Any tagged bass caught must be presented at the official weigh-in site for Pool 3 in North Little Rock.

Summary:

Brought to you by the Arkansas Hospitality Association, the contest spans 300 miles of eligible fishing from Fort Smith to Dumas — the entire length of the Arkansas River within the state’s borders. As in previous years, the river will be divided into five fishing pools, and each pool will have one official weigh-in site. The five weigh-in sites are:

• Clear Creek Park, Fort Smith;
• Dardanelle State Park, Russellville side;
• Verizon Ramp, North Little Rock;
• Regional Park, Pine Bluff; and
• Pendleton Bridge, east of Dumas.

The tournament begins at 6 a.m. sharp on all three days, with the first hourly weigh-in at 8 a.m. and subsequent weigh-ins at the top of each hour until the final 1 p.m. weigh-in. (More information on tournament rules and format is available on the Web site at www.arkansasbigbass.com).

Anglers can choose to fish one, two, or all three days of the tournament. Fishermen can choose to fish any of the five pools and can fish different pools during the three-day event. However, all fish must be weighed in the pool in which they were caught. Eligible fish species include largemouth, smallmouth, and Kentucky spotted bass (black bass).

Registration is held at the weigh-in sites each day of the tournament and payment will be cash only. Checks and credit cards will not be accepted.  For more information about the tournament, contact the Arkansas Hospitality Association at 1-800-472-5022 or via e-mail at aha@arhospitality.org.

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The Arkansas Hospitality Association, a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization, is the official voice of the restaurant, lodging, travel and tourism industries in the state, representing the Arkansas Restaurant Association, the Arkansas Lodging Association and the Arkansas Travel Council.
Visit us online at www.arhospitality.org!