38th annual Sealy Big Bass Splash

The 38th Sealy Big Bass Splash was held at Lake Fork Marina on September 20, 21, and 22. This year marked a new era for this event that has always been a favorite for many anglers from all over, but this year was different without the legend of Bob Sealy hosting. Bob Sealy passed away on July 2nd, 2024. The visionary founder of the Big Bass Splash tournaments, Bob attracted thousands of anglers from across the nation, rewarding more than $30 million in cash and prizes as of 2024. But his wishes were always for the show to go on, and Bob’s spirit was felt throughout the tournament, including a smiling mural of Bob on the weigh-in trailer. The family and coordinators did an amazing job paying tribute to such a great man and the Big Bass Splash Lake Fork tournament that he was so proud of.

There were over 2,200 entries this year, and the Lake Fork Big Ones were showing up! Starting with the first hour of day one, three “overs” were brought in! Martin Thompson brought in a 9.06-pounder, winning the hour, with Randy Horton in 2nd place for his 8.32-pounder, and 3rd was Daniel Pritchard with a 7.45-pounder. The 2nd hour saw three more overs, with Abrahm Caton landing a 9.06-pounder, Bill Trembley with an 8.83-pounder, and Chad O’Neal with an 8.81-pounder. The 3rd hour (9-10) was taken by Taylor Murphy with his 7.61-pounder.

The next “over” didn’t come in until the 12-1 o’clock hour, with Wyatt Wise winning the bonus hour with an 8.66-pounder and earning an extra $5,000. Billy Gatwood took 2nd place with a 7.93-pounder. The final hour of day one saw Tim Law bringing in his 9.85-pounder, setting a new leaderboard record.

Day 2 began with some winning “unders,” starting with a 2.29-pounder in the 7-8 hour. The 8-9 hour was won with a 2.55-pounder, the 9-10 hour with a 2.34-pounder, and the 10-11 hour with a 2.40-pounder. During the 11-12 hour, Ricky Barlow of Emory weighed in an exact 2.5-pounder, winning him $5,000! The last hour of the day, 1-2, was won by Lady Angler Rachael Finch with her 8.70-pounder, while Jacob Callahan of Yantis, TX, took 2nd place with his 8.68-pounder.

Tim Law’s 9.85-pounder remained at the top of the leaderboard going into day 3. The 7-8 hour on day three was won with a 2.42-pounder. The 8-9 hour was the bonus hour, won by Terry Newcomer with his 8.48-pounder, earning him $5,000. During the 9-10 o’clock hour, Haydan Marshall from Quitman, Texas, weighed in an 8.82-pounder. Howard Zummer won the 11-12 hour with an 8.7-pounder, while Robert Finch took 2nd place with his 7.00-pounder. Verlon Croney of Alba weighed in the heaviest under with a 2.57-pounder. The 12-1 hour saw two more overs, with Joseph Todd bringing in an 8.67-pounder for 1st place and Thomas Welch also weighing in an 8.67-pounder for 2nd place. In the final hour of the tournament, Jacob Callahan of Yantis, TX, brought in his 5.15-pounder, enough to win the hour!

Tim Law’s 9.85-pounder from day one clinched the grand prize win valued at $100,000, including a brand new Phoenix 721 Pro XP powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota, Humminbird, and Power-Pole, along with a brand new Dodge RAM truck, plus $5,000 cash!

In addition to the main prizes, there were many more awards:

• EARLY BIRD DRAWINGS: All contestants whose entries were received by September 10, 2024, were eligible to win one of five 2-Day Complimentary Entries into next year’s tournament event. This year’s winners were Zachary Wilmonth, John Feagley, Josh Brown, Chadwick Crawford, and Thomas Peevy.

• ELIMINATION DRAWING: A Phoenix 819 Pro XP powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota and Humminbird, was won by Verlon Croney of Alba, TX.

• SPECIAL DRAWING: All tournament contestants and spectators were eligible for a drawing at the Sunday awards for a Phoenix 819 Pro XP powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota and Humminbird. The winner was Howard Besett of Rogers, Arkansas.

• 2.50 EXACT WEIGHT BASS: The contestant who weighed in the first 2.50 exact weight bass each day of the tournament was awarded $5,000. Winners were: Friday – Benton Fincher, Saturday – Ricky Barlow, Sunday – Billy Anderson Jr.

• EXACT WEIGHT OVER SLOT: The contestant who weighed in the first exact weight bass over the slot each day of the tournament was awarded $5,000. Winners were: Friday – Kelly Lindsey, Saturday – Larry McNeese, Sunday – Robert French.

• HEAVIEST UNDER SLOT: The contestant who weighed in the heaviest bass under the slot each day of the tournament was awarded $5,000. Winners were: Friday – Wade Evans (2.79 lbs), Saturday – Verlon Croney (2.57 lbs), Sunday – Jason Amperse (2.75 lbs).

It was another amazing year for the Sealy Big Bass Splash! Congratulations to all the anglers who came out, earned some cash, and enjoyed the great Lake Fork fishing! A big thank you to the Lake Fork Sportsman’s Association for their great work on the live release boat!