Afemon Claims top spot
at 24th Annual McDonald Big Bass Splash
By Donald Gervais (dongerv@yahoo.om)

Umphrey Family Pavilion -- Jacob Afemon's 11.3-pound largemouth bass earned him the championship at the 24th Annual McDonald Big Bass Splash presented by Sealy Outdoors on April 18-20 at Lake Sam Rayburn. The big bite earned him the winner's package that included a 2008 Dodge Ram 4X4 Cummings Diesel Pick up, a Triton TR21 bass boat powered by Mercury Optimax 225hp outboard, and a Bad Boy Buggy ATV valued at over $120,000. The Ronald McDonald Houses received at check for more than $19,000 from the tournament.

Over 3,800 anglers competed in this year's Big Bass Splash event for prizes and cash valued at over $560,000. Fishing conditions started miserably on Friday as heavy rain, strong winds and cold challenged those who took to the water for the 6 a.m. starting time. Mother Nature smiled on the tournament participants on Saturday and Sunday with ever improving conditions to near-perfect weather by Sunday's finale.

"We haven't had a gulley washer like that one in over 10 years," said Bob Sealy, of Sealy Outdoors who pioneered the Big Bass tournament concept on Lake Sam Rayburn's shoreline 24 years ago. "We were due one."

Jacob Afemon of Rosenberg holds up the top bass at the 24th Annual McDonald Big Bass Splash presented by Sealy Outdoors held April 18-19-20 at Lake Sam Rayburn. The bass, weighing 11.3 pounds, was weighed on Saturday during the 7-8 o'clock hour. The big bite earned Afemon the top prize, a Dodge Ram 4X4 Pick Up, a Triton TR21 bass boat and Mercury motor and a Bad Boy Buggy, a package valued at over $120,000.

Despite the inclement weather no injuries or serious incidents were reported and anglers managed to bring hefty fish to the scales for the hourly and overall standings. The largest fish of each hour receives $1,000. The second largest bass receives $900. Third takes a check for $800, all the way to 10th place. If the angler purchased a bonus card they were eligible to earn 11th and 12th places. The T-shirt hour earned an additional $1,000 to the top angler if they had purchased a tournament T-shirt. Winners are subjected to random choosing or picked for polygraph tests and a strict boat check must be passed. This ensures that the safety and other rules are followed during the eight hours of designated fishing time. Traditionally the first fishing hour for McDonald Big Bass events began at 7 a.m.

Scott Jordon of Vidor, with son Tanner, holds the 10.25 pound bass that earned him second place at the 24th Annual Sam Rayburn Big Bass Splash held April 18-19-20. The Rayburn lunker earned him a 2008 Dodge Ram pick up, a Triton boat powered by a Mercury outboard, a package valued at over $60,000. His fish was weighed on Saturday during the 9-10 hour

"We are going to start the first hour at 6 a.m. for all the events this year and see how it goes," said Sealy. "It will allow the anglers to start earlier and also be able to come enjoy the entertainment in the afternoons that are offered. The last hour is 2-3 p.m. So there is still payout for 8 hours in the tournament."

Few of the anglers who made it to the opening hour were dry. However, for those who made it the scales with not so heavy fish, they were rewarded. The lowest weight that hour to earn a check was 2.06 pounds, the lowest it would be in the tournament. In two of the hours, Sunday from 6-7 and Saturday's 12-1 hour, anglers needed over 6 pounds to earn a check. On average a 5.6 pound catch took bottom standings in the hourly standings throughout the three days.

Gary Boudreaux of LeBlanc, La. was the first angler to claim one of the nine even weight fish at the 24th Annual McDonald Big Bass Splash held April 18-20 at Lake Sam Rayburn. Bob Sealy of Sealy Outdoors indicates the even weight in the 8-9 hour on Friday. The Triton bat and Mercury motor package is valued at over $24,000.

Danny Abbot of Huntington was the first hour's big bass winner with his fish weighing 9.48 pounds. He comfortably maintained the top spot of the day until the 11-12 hour when Jeff Ashen brought his fish in. Ashen's bass fell short by 0.01 of a pound, at 9.47 pounds. No other challenger would come close as the rain clouds cleared and the winds from the north began to blow.

This year a fiberglass Triton bass boat replaced the usual aluminum boat prize for the first anglers of the day who bring in an even weight of 3, 4 and 5 pounds. Only one even weight, the 3.0 pound fish of Gary Boudreaux of LeBlanc, La crossed the scale this day. The remaining boats, each valued at over $24,000, were placed in an open draw at the finale.

Hunter Muncrief, age 7, of Rayburn Country, set a new record in the Little Anglers division of the McDonald Big Bass Splash Saturday with his catch weighing 9.02 pounds. The 1st grader's catch not only earned him a gift certificate to Academy Sports + Outdoors but also a replica of the best ever bass catch. Hunter is the son of Crystal and William Muncrief

Overnight the skies cleared as temperatures fell to 38 degrees in the lake area. A full moon helped anglers see as the next day's fishing action began at 6 a.m. It didn't take long for the top two previous big bass to slip in the overall standings.

Mark Jones of Vidor took the lead in the tournament a half hour after the scales opened with a 9.65 pound catch. He sat in the number 1 chair but for a short time as Afemon weighed his 11.3 pound lunker. Jones held on to the #2 spot until another Vidor angler brought his catch in the 9-10 hour.

Scott Jordon bumped Jones another place with his catch of a 10.25 lunker bass. It was not the first time Jordan sat in the #1 chair. The Champion boat marine dealer took the top spot the day before, during the 9-10 hour, with an 8.08 pound bass.

"The very next cast after catching this one (8-pounder) I got broke off," said Jordan on Friday. "It was a stupid mistake not to retie. I'm going back to the spot."

Friday he fished alone. He returned to the spot Saturday accompanied by his wife Callie.

"Wake up! Get the net! I told her," said Jordan when the bass hit and he knew he had a good one. "She got up and netted it for me. The fish didn't have my bait in it either. I'm going back there again."

The spot didn't yield another hourly winner but it did produce a third check. He brought in a 5.68 pound bass to win a check in the final hour in the bonus place. It is understandable that Jordan would not disclose the exact location of his honey hole, other than it being "north of the dam." He took the runner up spot for the 10 pound catch, a prize valued at over $60,000.

One of the biggest surprises of the day was when little angler Hunter Muncrief, of Rayburn Country, struggled to the stage with his bass catch. It tipped the scales at 9.02 pounds, shattering all previous Little Angler division bass catches. Sealy announced he would have a replica of the fish made for the 7-year-old and it would be presented at next year's event.

Two anglers crossed the scales with even weight fish to earn a boat on Saturday. Richard Wagnon, of Call, weighed a 3.0 pound fish in the 9-10 hour. Two hours later, Danbury angler Mark Thacker weighed a 4.0 pound bass to claim his new Triton boat powered by a Mercury motor. The boat for the unclaimed 5.0 fish went into the Sunday draw. The winner of the final hour of day two was lady angler Nobie Joe Lebert with a fish weighing 7.54 pounds.

Another lady angler held the top spot in the following day in the opening hour. An excited Corey Harmon, of Port Neches, jumped for joy when the weight of her fish was announced at 9.0 pounds. Only one other fish would surpass her bass, that of Danny Massey who weighed in the 12-1 hour.

"I'm getting too old for this," said Massey, a retired Jasper angler whose bass weighed 9.99 pounds during the bonus T-shirt hour. "I have bought a T-shirt every time for the 21 years I've fished this tournament but not this year."

He missed out on the additional $1,000 had he bought another T-shirt, however he would take third place for the event and take home a Hideout Travel Trailer, valued at over $17,000 provided by Kites Bros RV from Deridder, La.

Although several anglers came close to claiming the 5.0 pound boat prize on the final day, none hit the mark. That Triton too was thrown into the draw. The even 3.0 mark was hit not once but three times in the 9-10 hour. Charles Walter of Ringold, La was the first to carry his 3.0 pound fish to the scales and claimed the boat. The two runners up, behind him at 10 minute intervals, each received rods and reels as a consolation. In dramatic fashion, before thousands of spectators in the final hour, the 4.0 pound mark was hit by Bobby Amidon of Leander, TX.

More than a fishing tournament, the Big Bass Splash has evolved into an entertainment happening. Saturday's artists included Tim Sealy who lives in Phoenix, AZ. Tim, an accomplished classic guitarist who regularly appears in popular Phoenix clubs, is Bob's son. Also appearing was the C&W group Uncle Lucius.

Top billing of the day went to Texan Kevin Fowler. Several hundred of his die hard fans, called "Fowler fanatics" were among the thousands who attended his lively performance of Texas Country music.

Tim Sealy returned Sunday with his solo guitar play and singing. CJ Garsee, who had performed solo at several previous Big Splash events, returned with a group of musicians, the Twangsters. She performed several original songs including a single released by the GOT Music label called "Believe in Me." Authentic Cajun music, a mixture of Rock-N-roll and Blues was delivered at the finale by Louisiana Express Band.

"The numbers of anglers are down this year," Sealy told the spectators at the finale. "Gas prices are to blame. Not as many came out but I hope they will next year for the 25th Annual. I'm going to give away $1 million. The winner will get $250,000. The hourly winner will get $2,500 and I'm not going up on the registration fee. We will make history as the richest amateur fishing tournament."

This year's McDonald Big Bass Splash was filmed by a crew for ESPN online coverage and for an upcoming National geographic documentary about the pursuit for the number 1 game fish in the country. It was also filmed by channel 4 from Beau- mont for airing on Sunday night.

"Thanks to Kicks 105, the best radio station in the country for the live coverage of the tournament," Sealy told the crowd. "They've been with us for 21 years." In addition to keeping anglers abreast on the radio they uploaded hourly standings of the tournament on their site: http://www.kicks105. com/

Daily winners of the Little Anglers division were presented awards for the top 3 places each day for bass, crappie, catfish and brim catches.

"These youngsters are the future of the fishing industry," stated Sealy.

Among the winners were two youngsters whose families have stayed in Ronald McDonald Houses, both afflicted by catastrophic diseases. "It is so wonderful to hear from the people who have used the houses and thank us for helping the houses and getting the word out to families about them."

Four unclaimed Tritons from the even fish contests were given away in the draw that followed. All contestants who fished were eligible to win, but had to be present. Amazingly, five of the names called were not present and claimed as "History," before all the boats were given away.

The Luck of the Draw boat this year was a Triton TR 18 powered by a Mercury Outboard. Registered anglers of the tournament were eligible to win it. Bob put on a show as five anglers, drawn at random from the bin, came on stage and one by one were eliminated. Rodric Baker of Red Oak took home the boat.

Bob Sealy acknowledged and thanked the anglers who have supported the tournament through the years and the staff who put on a first class tournament. He also thanked the major sponsors. They will take part in next year's tournament, set to take place April 17-18-19, 2009. Sealy said that the event will include the biggest boat and fishing industry exposition ever seen in the area. He advised people to make reservations as soon as possible. The next local Big Bass Splash will be held June 20-22 at Toledo Bend Reservoir with a guaranteed payback totaling over $360,000.

BUNA High School's Future Farmers of America organization carried the fish to the C&R Live Release boat at the lake and also provided logistic support.

For a complete listing of hourly winners and information about upcoming Splash events visit the Sealy Outdoors online site at: http://www.sealyoutdoors. com/

Major Sponsors of the Splash included: Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Shimano, Lowrence Electronics, Navionics, Hot Maps, Power Pole, TH Marine, Weaver Bros. and Kite Brothers RV of Deridder, La.

Winners Ways

Not only did Jacob Afemon manage to win the 24th Annual McDonald Big Bass Splash but his example may provide anglers with a way to beat the rising cost of gas for Big Bass tournament anglers and for team tournaments.

Afemon won the grand prize package, valued at over $160,000 and will be sharing it equally with not one but two of his buddies that shared the boat when he caught the 11.3 pound bass.

"We agreed to share all costs and winnings equally," said Glenn Guinn of Lufkin, whose 10 year old Triton boat the anglers shared. Kurt Smith, the third angler netted the big bass for Afemon. "We'll work it out and settle it fairly."

The trio was fishing in Caney Creek when the big bass bit at 7:15 a.m. They were sitting in 4' of water and casting to the deep area using watermelon/red Senkos, rigged wacky style with a weighted hook-1/16-ounce.

"We each ad a limit of fish by 7 a.m. but none were over 2 pounds," said Smith. "We were talking about going somewhere else to find bigger fish when Jacob got the big bite."

Gear of choice included Kistler and Castaway rods and Shimano reels spooled with 15-pound test clear Stren line. It was the biggest bass for Afemon of Rosenburg, a self-employed contractor/remodeler.

Second place finisher Scott Jordan took home the consolation prize valued at over $60,000 and won two hourly first place checks and an additional check for 12th place.

Jordan, owner of Jordan's Marine & Pro Fuel in Vidor, said he gets to fish on weekends and not as often as he wished used two different baits in the same area. A black and blue ½ ounce jig, with a black and blue craw trailer accounted for the 8.08 hourly first place on Friday.

"I hadn't gotten bite and it was 9 o'clock on Saturday. I hadn't caught one on the jig and switched to a Carolina rigged lizard," said Jordan, "I told Callie my wife that the bite would happen after 9. At 9:05 the big fish bit."

Rods and reels included American Rodsmith and Falcon rods with Shimano reels. He used 12-pound test Maxima line and a ½ ounce weight with a 24-inch leader on the Carolina rig and 15-pound test line to pitch the jig.

He fished out of his Champion bass boat, powered by a Mercury motor alone on Friday and was joined by his wife Callie on Saturday and Sunday.

"I'm an old timer fisherman," said third place finisher Danny Massey. "I was hoping for wind today, not as bad as Friday though."

Massey was hoping for wind to aid in his drift fishing technique. He pegs a sinker up the line and attaches a hook a distance from it, a modified Carolina rig of sorts. Attached to hook was a Zoom Z-Nail, a straight plastic bait. He was fishing in the northern part of the lake in 9-12 feet of water, near a grass bed, when the 9.99 pound fish bit.

Little angler Division bass winner Hunter Muncrief was fishing with his dad William and mother Crystal when the 7-year old caught his 9.02 pound bass. The first grader at West Sabine/Pineland Elementary School set the hook, fought and landed the fish on his own.

"Nobody touches his pole when he's fishing," said his mom. "He won't let that happen."

Hunter caught his bass with a watermelon-colored Zoom trick worm, rigged Texas style with a ¼-ounce weight in 3 feet of water on the south end of the lake. He tamed the brute bass with a Zebco 33 outfit spooled with 14-pound test line. He was able to wrestle it from around the outboard motor at least once according to his dad. Although he enjoys playing baseball and basketball, his favorite thing to do is to fish.