Arkansas Big Bass Trail Tournament at Lake Degray

A new Sportsman Camper is up for grabs during the Arkansas Big Bass Trail tournament at Lake Degray. The top five finishes during the bi-hourly weigh-ins are guaranteed cash prizes, with the winner walking away with $1,000. The upcoming event on Saturday, March 16, 2024, is part of the Keep Arkansas Fishing Big Bass Tournaments campaign by Gregg Orr Marine.

While the tourney is open to Arkansas Big Bass Team Trail (ABTT) members, first responders, juniors, women, veterans, and seniors over 50 will be placed in special divisions. Anglers who place first in each special category will be awarded undisclosed prizes. 

ABTT members interested in fishing in the big bass tourney must register between 5 and 7 p.m. the evening preceding the event. At least one team member must register in person at a designated registration site. The registration day and time will determine the boat number and flight. Participants who can’t register in person may appoint a representative to pick their boat number. 

Tight Tournament Rules 

All anglers who wish to participate in this catch-and-release bass fishing tournament must adhere to the Arkans Bass Trail Team fishing rules. A team shall comprise two anglers, but contestants can have a third person piloting the boat. 

Only fishing rods with artificial lures are permitted during the event, but contestants may use pork trailers and biodegradable soft baits. Although anglers can have several rods in the boat, they may only cast one line at a time. 

Trolling is strictly prohibited, and all bass must be caught in a sporting manner — hooked inside the mouth. Only four bass species — largemouth, red eye, spotted, and smallmouth bass — longer than 12 inches count as legal bass during the weigh-in. There’s a five-bass limit per team, but contestants may actively cull any undersized catch as they fish. 

Unlike other tournaments, this bass fishing event has four official weigh-ins at — 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Contestants may only weigh one fish during the bi-hourly weigh-in, and only the angler who caught the fish may weigh it. 

All anglers in the top ten during the bi-hourly weigh-ins will be feted. The top five finishes will be awarded cash prizes, with the winner walking away with $1,000. The runner-up will be awarded $500, while winners who place 3rd to 5th will be awarded $400, $300, and $200, respectively. The other five winners will be awarded undisclosed prizes. The angler with the heaviest catch will be crowned winner and walk away with the grand prize — a brand new Sportsman Camper.