2020 Big Bass Splash

By B.A. Little, Reporter • beverlyannette@southerntorch.com

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – Over the past sixteen years, the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce has brought Sealy Outdoors and the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash to Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro.

 98-3 Wild Country (WKEA) will continue to be the exclusive radio station for anglers, spectators, and the listening audience. 

The tournament continues to grow every year.  Bob Sealy, head of the organization said, “We are excited about coming back to Scottsboro, Alabama at this great lake.  It is now the largest amateur tournament of its kind in the South. We know this lake (Guntersville) has a great bass reputation and perhaps one year the tournament here will be as large as our Texas Big Bass Splash.”  The number of anglers that registered and fished the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash has grown every year it has been on Lake Guntersville. In 2020, the total of amateur anglers is expected to grow again as they try their skill at the $280,750 in cash and prizes to be awarded during the 16th Annual McDonald’s Big Bass Splash. 

The Big Bass Splash will be held March 27, 28, & 29 at Goosepond in Scottsboro. There will be fifteen places paid in cash each hour of each tournament day beginning with the 7-8 AM hour and continuing through the 1-2 PM hour for the fifteen single heaviest basses weighed in. 

Hourly updates will be broadcasted live on WKEA 98.3 FM for all three days. The first place of each hour will take home $1,500! Contestant(s) weighing in the first 3.00/4.00/5.00 exact weight bass each day of the tournament will win $1,000.

All contestants are eligible to win a Triton 179 TRX Bass Boat, powered by Mercury, and equipped with Minn Kota and Lowrance in the famous “Elimination Drawing”. Additionally, overall awards include a cash payout for 2nd through 5th place winners. 

Sarah Stahl, Chamber Director of Tourism added “After all that’s said and done, the 2019 McDonald’s Big Bass Splash on Lake Guntersville had an economic impact of over $3.3 Million spent in our local businesses.  Anglers came from 32 states to fish in the tournament and for every ($1.00) dollar that Jackson County Tourism invested in this tournament, $3.63 was returned in the form of sales tax, lodging tax and fuel tax to our city and county.” 

Don’t forget about the “Little Anglers Tournament” that goes on at the same time.  Registered kids ages 5-12 can catch any kind of fish and be eligible to win prizes.  Bring the kids to the tournament and have a blast!

 For more information or to register, go to www.sealyoutdoors.com, call 888.698.2591 or the Chamber at 256-259-5500.

For sponsorships and advertising with 98.3, contact (256) 259-2341 or (256) 638-4040.