Big Bass Splash

Elites help celebrate 30th anniversary of Big Bass Splash

Sealy Outdoors has been producing the amateur fishing tournaments since 1984. This year’s Big Bass Splash on Sam Rayburn Lake celebrated the 30th anniversary of the organization and was presented by both Sealy Outdoors and B.A.S.S.

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Sealy Outdoors has been producing the largest amateur fishing tournaments in fishing history since 1984. This year’s Big Bass Splash on Sam Rayburn Lake celebrated the 30th anniversary of the organization and was presented by both Sealy Outdoors and B.A.S.S.
Sealy Outdoors has been producing the largest amateur fishing tournaments in fishing history since 1984. This year’s Big Bass Splash on Sam Rayburn Lake celebrated the 30th anniversary of the organization and was presented by both Sealy Outdoors and B.A.S.S.
Live entertainment at the three day event included recording artists Chris Young and Josh Thompson.
Live entertainment at the three day event included recording artists Chris Young and Josh Thompson.
Some of the larger fish caught during the tournament were on display in a holding tank.
Some of the larger fish caught during the tournament were on display in a holding tank.
Big fish are always part of the Big Bass Splash.
Big fish are always part of the Big Bass Splash.
Triton boats were on display at the daily expo.
Triton boats were on display at the daily expo.
Spectators began to arrive early for the hourly weigh-ins.
Spectators began to arrive early for the hourly weigh-ins.
Twelve participants are awarded hourly cash prizes for the biggest fish weighed.
Twelve participants are awarded hourly cash prizes for the biggest fish weighed.
The weigh-in and weights were broadcast live on Kicks 105 FM out of Lufkin, Texas.
The weigh-in and weights were broadcast live on Kicks 105 FM out of Lufkin, Texas.
Michael Williams weighed the second largest bass of the tournament, a bass weighing 9.63 pounds.
Michael Williams weighed the second largest bass of the tournament, a bass weighing 9.63 pounds.
Some of the Big Bass Splash SWAG being worn around the weigh in site.
Some of the Big Bass Splash SWAG being worn around the weigh in site.
Bob Sealy with Elite Series pro Casey Ashley.
Bob Sealy with Elite Series pro Casey Ashley.
Several Elite Series pros stopped by every day including Terry Scroggins, John Murray and Casey Ashley.
Several Elite Series pros stopped by every day including Terry Scroggins, John Murray and Casey Ashley.
Bryon Velvick spent the final day visiting with fishing fans.
Bryon Velvick spent the final day visiting with fishing fans.
The crowd enjoys some live music as the day gets underway.
The crowd enjoys some live music as the day gets underway.
Bob Sealy talked to Elite Series anglers about the upcoming Elite Series event this week on nearby Toledo Bend.
Bob Sealy talked to Elite Series anglers about the upcoming Elite Series event this week on nearby Toledo Bend.
The pros signed all kinds of memorabilia while at the Big Bass Splash.
The pros signed all kinds of memorabilia while at the Big Bass Splash.
Terry Scroggins and John Murray took over the weigh-in duties for a while.
Terry Scroggins and John Murray took over the weigh-in duties for a while.
Near the end of every hour, anglers begin to arrive with their fish.
Near the end of every hour, anglers begin to arrive with their fish.
Bob Sealy kept the crowd entertained during the weigh-in.
Bob Sealy kept the crowd entertained during the weigh-in.
The weigh-in area begins to fill with people around midday.
The weigh-in area begins to fill with people around midday.
Competitors begin to crowd the holding tanks with their fish.
Competitors begin to crowd the holding tanks with their fish.
Kevin VanDam arrives to help award the final prizes and to visit with fans.
Kevin VanDam arrives to help award the final prizes and to visit with fans.
Bob Sealy introduces VanDam to the crowd.
Bob Sealy introduces VanDam to the crowd.
Photographers move into position to take photos of KVD on stage.
Photographers move into position to take photos of KVD on stage.
VanDam signed autographs for a couple hours before the awards ceremony.
VanDam signed autographs for a couple hours before the awards ceremony.
Another hour ends with several competitors in line to weigh their fish.
Another hour ends with several competitors in line to weigh their fish.
Spectators brought their lawn chairs and settled in to watch the final festivities.
Spectators brought their lawn chairs and settled in to watch the final festivities.
This motor home was part of the winning prize package for the biggest bass weighed during the three day event.
This motor home was part of the winning prize package for the biggest bass weighed during the three day event.
Truck and boat packages were also awarded to tournament leaders.
Truck and boat packages were also awarded to tournament leaders.
Several food vendors were set up for spectators.
Several food vendors were set up for spectators.
Don Schuetze’s 6.59-pound fish was leading the final hour.
Don Schuetze’s 6.59-pound fish was leading the final hour.
Schuetze and the rest of the top 12 wait to see if their fish will hold up for the entire hour.
Schuetze and the rest of the top 12 wait to see if their fish will hold up for the entire hour.
Ellis Campbell’s 4.00-pound fish was a
Ellis Campbell’s 4.00-pound fish was a “target weight” fish that earned him $10,000.
One of the last big fish of the tournament.
One of the last big fish of the tournament.
Steve Kelly claimed the wind was blowing so hard on Sam Rayburn it made his hair look like this.
Steve Kelly claimed the wind was blowing so hard on Sam Rayburn it made his hair look like this.
Tim Sealy performed before the final awards were given out.
Tim Sealy performed before the final awards were given out.
Bob Sealy introduces overall champion Robert Nunley from Willis, Texas.
Bob Sealy introduces overall champion Robert Nunley from Willis, Texas.
Sealy visits with Kevin VanDam and Casey Ashley.
Sealy visits with Kevin VanDam and Casey Ashley.
Casey Ashley performed the national anthem.
Casey Ashley performed the national anthem.
A huge crowd gathered for the final awards.
A huge crowd gathered for the final awards.
The winners of the final prizes are called to the stage.
The winners of the final prizes are called to the stage.
Robert Nunley holds the champion’s trophy high.
Robert Nunley holds the champion’s trophy high.
Nunley was awarded $250,000 in cash and prizes for the biggest bass that weighed 9.81 pounds.
Nunley was awarded $250,000 in cash and prizes for the biggest bass that weighed 9.81 pounds.
Robert Nunley, 30th Anniversary Big Bass Splash champ
Robert Nunley, 30th Anniversary Big Bass Splash champ

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