Annual Big Bass Bash
Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks plays host to a number of fishing tournaments all through the year. One of the most important of all the fishing tournaments conducted at the Ozarks is the Big Bass Bash tournament held in the month of October. While the Big Bass Bash is also held at Kentucky Lake and Truman Lake, it is the event at the Lake of the Ozarks that takes the cake!
The Big Bass Bash tournament for the year 2010 is slated to be held on the 2nd and 3rd of October at the Ozarks. Innumerable fishing enthusiasts from various parts of the world flock to take part in the tournament. You can either register at the venue prior to the commencement of the event or you can pre-register online. If you register online before 2nd September, 2010 you will stand a chance to win one of the 12 early bird prices worth $500.
There are a number of rules and policies associated with this event at the Ozarks since it sees participation in thousands each year. There is no age limit for the participants eager to take part in this tournament. Any participant under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
There are various safety parameters that are levied in order to ensure no untoward incident takes place. All boats used by the participants should have an ice chest approved by the authorities and should also be equipped with an operator kill switch. It is imperative for every contestant to wear a life vest that is approved by the US Coast Guard. A boating liability policy worth $100,000 is compulsory for all boat owners and they must have the relevant proof of insurance handy.
Contestants will have to use only reels, rods and artificial lures during the tournament. While using pork rind is considered acceptable, trolling in banned. If you are planning to contest in the event, you cannot engage the services of a professional guide for a week before the event commences.
When the tournament is on, the contestants have to fish for bass. They are allowed to keep only 2 at a time in their possession. They will have to get their fish weighed at the weigh-in counter. In order to qualify for being weighed, the fish caught will have to be at least 15 inches in length. If the fish is healthy it will be returned to the waters of the lake. Kentucky small bass, smallmouth and largemouth bass are the only fish that qualify for being weighed. People who try to get preserved or artificial bass weighed will be immediately disqualified and will be prosecuted under federal law.
There can only be a maximum of three paid contestants on each boat. When the Big Bass Bash tournament is on, no unpaid member is allowed to get on to the boat that has paid contestants on it.
During the two days that the tournament is on, there is total cash worth $162,000 to be won! There are semi-hourly awards given out during the two days of the tournament. The first prize winner at the end of each slot gets to take home $1200. Added to this, the three overall winners of this two day tournament can go back home richer by thousands of dollars. The first place overall winner takes home $50,000 in cash, while the first runner-up gets $20,000 and the second runner-up gets $10,000.
If you feel you qualify for the tournament and want to enjoy a good bout of fishing, then, head to the Ozarks on the 2nd and 3rd of October, 2010. You can even enjoy as much by being a spectator. There are a number of other contests and activities that are organized for the people who visit the Ozarks to witness the tournament.
