FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday’s Leader Holds On To Win $50,000 In the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 27, 2010) — Although Nicholas Warden of Beebe had fished in the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza the past two years, he had not planned to compete again this year.  However, his step dad talked him into going to Dumas to fish with him, and now Warden is sure glad he did.

His 6.62-pound bass that he reeled in on Saturday morning held up as the overall leader in the three-day tournament, and Warden, 30, is taking home $50,000 for his efforts.  Warden beat out 1,754 other anglers to win the grand prize.

Warden said he really had had nothing but bad luck with the tournament the past two years.  “Last year I fished in North Little Rock, and my truck was broken into while I was fishing and some of gear was stolen,” Warden said.  “The year before, I fished at Dardanelle, and someone drove over my boat trailer.  But I finally had some good luck this year.  I think I’m ahead now!”

He said he hooked the winning bass about 7:30 a.m. Saturday below Pendleton Bridge where the canal goes into Moores Bayou.  “I had fished that area before (although not in the tournament) and thought I might get lucky and catch a three- or four-pounder to get in the hourly prize money,” he said.   “On my first cast, the bass hit my peanut butter and jelly jig.  As soon as he came out of the water, I knew it was a very good fish.  Then when I got him in the boat, he came off the hook, and I had to lay on him to keep him from jumping out of the boat.”

First-place winners in each of the other pools are:

•  Russell Pryor of Greenwood (5.36) – Fort Smith pool
•  William Menz of Ward (6.23) – Dardanelle pool
•  Andrew Smith of Alexander (5.81) – North Little Rock pool
•  Brent Ward of Pine Bluff (5.83) – Pine Bluff pool

The top catch in each of these four pools was worth $10,000 in prize money.

Victor Scrivner and his son, Britt, of Pine Bluff took home $1,000 cash and the Willow Leaf Award, which goes to the parent/child or grandparent/grandchild pair weighing the biggest fish.  Scrivner’s bass tipped the scales at 4.39 pounds.

During Sunday’s competition, Calvin Ashcraft of DeWitt weighed a three-pound bass at the third weigh-in hour in Dumas to win a $300 gift card from Academy Sports and Outdoors.  Randy Staggs of Atkins won a $400 gift card for catching a four-pound fish at the fourth weigh-in hour in Dardanelle.

For more information on the tournament and complete results, visit arkansasbigbass.com

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nicholas Warden of Beebe Takes Lead in Big Bass Bonanza
6.62-Pound Catch Near Dumas is Fish To Beat

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 26, 2010) — It didn’t take Nicholas Warden of Beebe long Saturday to take the overall lead in the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza fishing tournament on the Arkansas River.  Warden caught a 6.62-pound bass in Pool 5 near Dumas that he brought in during the 8 a.m. weigh-in.

If his fish remains the biggest catch of the three-day tournament, Warden will take home the guaranteed $50,000 grand prize.  Anglers still have from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday to try and snag a larger bass.  Each weigh-in location will be taking registrations prior to the 6 a.m. starting time Sunday for the last day of the tournament.  Registration is $90 per person.

Leaders in the other four pools are:

•  John Higman of Evansville (6.03) – Fort Smith pool
•  William Menz of Ward (6.23) – Dardanelle pool
• Andrew Smith of Alexander (5.81) – North Little Rock pool
•  Ann Hester of Sherrill (5.47) – Pine Bluff pool

Each of these leaders has the potential to win a guaranteed $10,000 for catching the largest bass in each of these pools during the tournament.

After the second day of fishing, Victor Scrivner of Pine Bluff and his son are in the lead for the $1,000 cash Willow Leaf Award that goes to parent/child or grandparent/grandchild pair weighing the biggest fish.  Scrivner’s bass tipped the scales at 4.39 pounds.

During Friday’s competition, Dwayne Lytle Jr. of Bauxite hauled in one of 20 tagged bass and won a $750 gift card from Academy Sports and Outdoors.  One of the tagged bass is worth $50,000, if it is caught, and if it is among the first five tagged bass caught and presented during the Big Bass Bonanza Tournament.  Any tagged fish snagged during the tourney must be presented at the official weigh-in site for Pool 3 in North Little Rock.

The grand prize and other cash awards will be presented during Sunday’s award ceremony, which will begin at 4 p.m. near the North Little Rock/Verizon Arena boat ramp.

For more information on the tournament and complete results, visit arkansasbigbass.com

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Andrew Smith Stands Atop Opening-Day Leader Board
Catch of 5.81 Pounds Near North Little Rock Could Lead to $50,000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 25, 2010) — Anglers seeking the $50,000 guaranteed grand prize in the 11th annual Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza began searching up and down the Arkansas River for the five-figure fish at 6 a.m. Friday, and Andrew Smith of Alexander hopes he caught it near North Little Rock.  Smith hauled in a 5.81 bass during the 9 a.m. hour to take the overall lead in the three-day tournament.

Leaders in the other four pools are:

• Gary Wayne Smith of White Hall (5.58) – Dumas pool
• Russell Pryor of Greenwood (5.36) – Fort Smith pool
• Anthony McKee of Russellville (5.19) – Dardanelle pool
• William Jasper of Millington, Tenn. (5.14) – Pine Bluff pool

Each of these leaders has the potential to win a guaranteed $10,000 for catching the largest fish in each of these pools during the tournament.  Additional guaranteed prize money is awarded for the top-three catches each hour in each pool, and the Willow Leaf Award of $1,000 will be presented to the parent/child or grandparent/grandchild pair weighing the biggest fish.

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

• A $300 gift card to any exact three-pound fish on the third payout hour, 9:01 to10 a.m.
• A $400 gift card to any exact four-pound fish on the fourth payout hour, 10:01 to 11 a.m.
• A $500 gift card to any exact five-pound fish on the fifth payout hour, 11:01 a.m. to 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 tagged and released 20 largemouth bass into the Arkansas River between Ormond Lock and Dam and Terry Lock and Dam.  Each of the 20 tagged bass is 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 tagged bass caught and presented during the Big Bass Bonanza Tournament.  The other tagged 19 bass will have sponsor prizes attached to them.  Any tagged bass caught during the tournament must be presented at the official weigh-in site for Pool 3 in North Little Rock.

The tournament spans more than 300 miles of eligible fishing waters on the river inside the state’s borders.  The event is divided into five pools, and tournament action will resume at 6 a.m. Saturday morning with the final weigh-in being held Sunday at 1 p.m.   Fishermen can still register at any weigh-in location Saturday and Sunday.  The grand prize and other cash awards will be presented during Sunday’s award ceremony, which will begin at 4 p.m. near the North Little Rock/Alltel Arena boat ramp.

The five weigh-in sites are:  Pool 1 – Clear Creek Park, Fort Smith; Pool 2 – Dardanelle State Park/Russellville side; Pool 3 – North Little Rock/Alltel Ramp; Pool 4 – Regional Park/ Pine Bluff; and Pool 5 – Pendleton Bridge/east of Dumas.

For more information on the tournament and complete results, visit www.arkansasbigbass.com.

###

Participants in this year’s Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza will have the opportunity to help the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stock the Arkansas River with more than 100,000 largemouth bass.

AGFC, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Correction and the Arkansas Bass Association, will let Big Bass Bonanza anglers distribute bags full of 4- to 5-inch largemouth bass fingerlings to their favorite fishing spots.

Learn all about this innovative stocking program by interviewing AGFC fisheries biologists, members of the Arkansas Bass Association, bass anglers and tournament directors.

Call Steve “Wildman” Wilson, 501-351-6596, for more information.

Click here for the informational flyer

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.

# # #
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!

Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza
June 25, 26 & 27
New Prize Format For 2010
$100,00 in Prize Money GUARANTEED

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 winner overall in each of the five pools GUARANTEED.  The guaranteed cash prizes is still $100,000, it is just distributed differently to spread out the top prizes.
Hourly money will be the top priority to pay after guaranteed prizes. 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).   Also, hourly winners who purchased, filled out the registration form and are wearing an official tournament T-shirt and cap will receive a $100 bonus.

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.
__________________________
How to Register
Entry Fee

One Day – $80
Two Days – $160
Three Days – $240
How Do I Register?

There are five ways to register for the 2010 tournament:

* Mail registration form to AHA, PO Box 3866, Little Rock, AR 72203.
* On-line – click here to register online.
* On-line registration begins April 23rd, 2010.  Please remember if you are registering another person and you are the credit card holder, you fill in that persons infomation and your name goes in the “billing ” only.
* Fax with credit card information and signed waiver and release to 501-376-6517.
* Day of tournament at weigh-in sites.
* Visit an official registration site.

Please note that registration via fax, Internet and official registration sites is available through June 22. After June 22, you may register on tournament days at official weigh-in sites. Only cash payments will be accepted at weigh-in sites.
Register Early for “Early Bird” Prizes!

Entries received through Monday, May 31, will be eligible to win “Early Bird” prizes of cash and merchandise throughout the tournament.
How Can I Pay My Entry Fee?

* Cash (except by mail)
* Cashiers Check
* Money Order
* Personal Check (will be accepted through June 18)
* MasterCard or VISA

Other Registration Information

* No refunds on registration fees
* Returned checks will be charged a $20 handling fee.
* Make checks payable to Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza. If registering by mail, return entry to P.O. Box 3866, Little Rock, Ark., 72203. Make certain that you have read and signed the Waiver and Release Form and sign the entry form before mailing.
* If registering at weigh-in sites on day of tournament, only cash is accepted

___________________________
2010 Tournament Schedule
Friday, June 25
6 a.m. Fishermen, cast your lines
8 a.m. First hourly weigh-in
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hourly weigh-ins at the top of the hour
Saturday, June 26
6 a.m. Fishermen, cast your lines
8 a.m. First hourly weigh-in
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hourly weigh-ins at the top of the hour
Sunday, June 27
6 a.m. Fishermen, cast your lines
8 a.m. First hourly weigh-in
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hourly weigh-ins at the top of the hour
___________________________
Tournament Rules

This event is sponsored by The Arkansas Hospitality Association. Hereinafter, for the purpose of reference, they will be referred to as “sponsor.”
The Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza will be contested in five separate pools for the purpose of paying hourly prizes. Eligible water will include nearly 300 miles on the Arkansas River, all within the boundaries of the state of Arkansas.
Pool Boundaries

Pool #1: Downriver from the Garrison Ave. bridge near Fort Smith to the upriver side of Ozark Lock and Dam (mile marker 257).
Pool #2: Downriver from Ozark Lock and Dam #12 to the upriver side of Ormond Lock and Dam #9.
Pool #3: Downriver from Ormond Lock and Dam to the upriver side of Terry Lock and Dam #6.
Pool #4: Downriver from Terry Lock and Dam to the upriver side of Hardin Lock & Dam #3.
Pool #5: Downriver from Hardin Lock and Dam to the upriver side of Lock #2 and Dam #2.
General Rules

1. All local, state, federal, Coast Guard and Arkansas Game and Fish regulations shall apply and must be observed at all times during the tournament.
Specifically:
(a) All boats must have running lights if you are on the water before daylight.
(b) All contestants must wear a securely fastened Coast Guard-approved life vest when the main engine is in use.
(c) All boats must have an operating kill switch attached to the operator while the main internal combustion engine is operating.
(d) All boats must be equipped with an operating live well. (An aerator in an ice chest is acceptable)
(e) Contestants must have a valid Arkansas fishing license in their possession unless exempt.
(f) All tournament boats my be inspected by tournament officials upon request.
2. All applications for entry, determination of winners, and rights to awards and prizes are subject to the approval of tournament officials.
3. If a contestant is disqualified for rules violations, all other contestants in his boat will also be disqualified.
4. Protests must be registered in writing with the pool weighmaster within 30 minutes of the dispute. Decisions will be communicated to the parties involved by the pool weighmaster.
5. The sponsor of this event expressly reserves the right to accept or reject any entry form.
Launching and Fishing Rules

6. All contestants must gain access to their fishing area on the Arkansas River by launching their boats from:
(a) a hard surface public ramp or marina slip on the Arkansas River.
(b) a designated Corps of Engineers camp ground or launching area.
(c) launching ramps on the Arkansas River which are maintained by state or local government agencies.
(d) private boat docks or hard surface ramps in Arkansas River backwater can be used by the property owner for launching. Examples: Homeowners on Lake Langhofer near Pine Bluff and Piney Creek, Spadra Creek and Illinois Bayou off Lake Dardanelle.
7. Any backwater that can be accessed from the Arkansas River by floating your boat into the area without getting out of your boat is eligible water.
Note: Truax Lake and Echubby Lake in Pool #5, commonly referred to as “Massey Ole River,” is off limits for this event.
8. No casting or fishing allowed before 6 a.m. either day of the event. Final weigh-ins will be at 1 p.m. each day.
9. You can fish all pools during the tournament. However, you are required to weigh your fish at the weigh-in site for the pool in which the fish was caught. You may pull your boat out and trailer to the weigh-in site.
10. Official time shall be broadcast by one or more commercial radio stations to be identified.
11. Only largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky spotted bass (black bass) will be eligible to be weighed in.
12. All fishing will be done with a rod and reel and artificial lures only. The use of pork rind is acceptable. No trolling is permitted.
13. A non-contestant can ride in a boat with a contestant. However, the non-contestant cannot fish, drive the boat, or assist the contestant by netting a fish, etc.
14. No contestant is permitted to fish nearer than 50 yards to another contestant’s boat that is anchored, unless permission is received, or 100 yards either side of each pool weigh-in site.
15. Fish must be weighed the same day as caught. Dead fish will not be weighed.
16. Each contestant is allowed to have a total of two (2) fish in their possession at any given time during the tournament. Fish entered in the hourly contests do not carry over from hour to hour. Only the largest fish per contestant is eligible to win an overall prize.
17. No electronic tracking devices (implanted microchips) may be used to locate fish for tournament purposes. However, depth-finders and graph charts are acceptable.
18. No contestants can have more than one (1) fish in a weigh-in bag and cannot weigh more than one fish per tournament hour. Tournament weigh-in bags will be provided.
19. Any artificially weighted or preserved bass will be disqualified and that contestant will be subject to prosecution under federal law.
20. No fish under 16 inches in length (measured on a flat board) will be weighed in.
21. All fish weighed in each day automatically become the property of the tournament committee and will, if possible, be returned live and healthy to the Arkansas River.
Rules Governing Tournament Integrity

22. Tournament integrity will be protected by polygraph tests administered on a random basis. Contestants must pass these tests.
23. Each contestant, by signing the entry form, agrees to submit to polygraph testing and/or a drug scan.
24. Polygraph tests will be randomly administered to hourly winners in each pool at the end of each hour of the tournament.
25. Use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited. Any contestant determined by polygraph examination or by tournament officials to have consumed alcohol or illegal drugs, or to have an illegal substance in their possession or in their boat during tournament hours, is in violation of tournament rules and will be disqualified.
____________________________
For additional information please contact the
Arkansas Hospitality Association
800.472.5022  or 501.376.2323

Thank you to Arkansas News and Joe Mosby for covering our event!

Posted on 24 April 2010

For Immediate Release

January 22, 2010
Contact: Montine McNulty
Executive Director, Arkansas Hospitality Association
(501)376-2323

Annual Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza Fishing Tournament Set for June 25-27, 2010

$100,000 Guaranteed in Cash Prizes

Little Rock, Ark. – The Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza is excited to announce a 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 fish in each of the remaining four pools GUARANTEED.

Place Money per Pool — $900 to 2^nd place, $700 to 3^rd place and $400 to 4^th place winner in each of the five pools GUARANTEED. The guaranteed cash prizes are still $100,000, it is 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

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 materials will be available soon. For more information about the tournament, contact the Arkansas Hospitality Association at 1-800-472-5022 or via e-mail at aha@arhospitality.org.

# # #

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!

He decided that at the 2009 tournament he would fish the Fort Smith pool and head out in familiar waters that he had fished growing up. The Fort Smith pool on the Arkansas River payed off and John found himself weighing in a 7.3 lb Largemouth Bass that held the top weight of the tournament.

After receiving the prize money, John contacted Arkansas Tournament Fishing with a very special story. He told us he was going to give this money to a man he felt deserved and needed it more than himself. We asked Mr Higman who this friend was and he informed us that this was a man he found living in the street 13 years ago. John offered him a job doing demolition/construction work and has been helping this man ever since. This man’s name is Floyd G. Hazel and has been a dear friend to John Higman throughout the years.

“I (John Higman) won the Big Bass Bonanza in the amount of $100,000.00. I was going to give my dad, Jesse Higman, half of the $100,000.00, but my dad and I decided to help Floyd G. Hazel that I took off the streets thirteen years ago, who had nothing and has helped me throughout the years in many ways. It’s time to give something back. So, I am giving $86,000.00 of the Big Bass Bonanza winnings to Floyd G. Hazel.”

This story is brought to you by Arkansas Tournament Fishing and Academy Sports + Outdoors. For the full story and videos of John Higman’s Decision visit ArkansasTournamentFishing.com/higman

Higman, who has fished the tournament for eight years, led the competition last year on the second day with a 7.81-pound catch, but was edged out on Sunday last year by Duke Gunnell, who caught an 8.14-pounder just a couple of hours before the tournament ended. This year Higman edged out Danny Sheeks of Stuttgart who had held the lead since Friday with a 7.16-pound bass.

This year marks the first year that the $100,000 grand prize fish has been caught in Pool 1 (Fort Smith). Pool 2 (Dardanelle) and Pool 5 (Dumas) normally showcase the biggest fish.

Higman caught the winner this year on a 10-inch blue worm right off the river channel near Clear Creek Park at Fort Smith. “I always fish off the bottom,” Higman said. “I got him on the down fall. The fish hit hard, but I barely hooked him.”

However, it was enough to get the fish in the boat, and this year it’s really paying off. Higman, 36, was fishing with his dad, Jesse, so he also won the $1,000 Willow Leaf Award that goes to the parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild, fishing together and weighing the largest bass.

A total of 1,998 fishermen battled extreme heat to vie for $208,500 in total prize money during the three-day tournament. It paid off for Higman and those fishermen who will share $90,000 in total hourly prize money. An additional $17,500 was paid to fishermen in bonus money for wearing this year’s Big Bass T-shirt and hat and in early-bird registration awards.
Fishermen with the largest catches in Pools 2 through 5 were:

Pool 2 – David Snow of Subiaco (7.15 pounds)
Pool 3 – Dan Piper of Little Rock (5.43 pounds)
Pool 4 ¬– Aaron Davis of Pine Bluff (5.41 pounds)
Pool 5 – Danny Sheeks of Stuttgart (7.16 pounds)

The tournament spans more than 300 miles of eligible fishing waters on the Arkansas River inside the state’s borders. For complete results, visit www.arkansasbigbass.com.