The 5th Installment of Sherwood Bass Club Tournament Set for Nimrod Lake

Anglers will jostle for improved championship standing in the upcoming Sherwood Bass Club Tournament at Nimrod Lake. The bass fishing tournament on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, is the 5th installment of the 7-part series leading to a classic championship in October. 

The Club holds a monthly bass fishing tournament every 3rd Saturday from January to September (except in August), that leads to a grand finale in October. Unlike other tourneys, Sherwood Bass Clubs doubles its entry fee after the first three tournaments. From April through September, the membership fees double to $60. There’s also a $100 entry fee per boat. The Club holds back 30% of the membership fee for the classic championship and pays out the rest as cash prizes in each tournament. 

Sherwood Bass Club Tournament Rules of Engagement 

The tournament is open to all amateur anglers with a Sherwood Bass Club membership. Contestants can register for each tournament by paying the entry fee to a club official up to 15 minutes before the tournament starts. Early registration is encouraged because the order of the paid entry determines a contestant’s starting position. 

Contestants in the strict catch-and-release tournament must adhere to the Club’s fishing rules. A team shall comprise two contestants with a valid Arkansas fishing license, and only two anglers can be on a boat. 

Live bait is not permitted during the catch-and-release tournaments, and contestants may only use fishing rods with artificial bait. Use of technology is strictly forbidden, and anglers must remain in the boat until the 3:00 PM weigh-in. 

There’s a 5-fish limit per boat, and only three bass species—largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass—are eligible for the tournament. The tourney uses a Gator Grip Golden Rule Board, and all bass must exceed 12” to count  as legal fish. 

Contestants who attempt to weigh short fish will face a one-pound penalty. All boats must be kitted with an aerated livewell to keep the fish alive until weigh-in. Contestants may weigh a dead legal fish, but they’ll incur a half-pound penalty for each dead fish. All the live fish are released after the weigh-in. 

The team with the heaviest catch will carry the day, but the number of teams feted during a tournament is tied to the turnout. Only three teams will be awarded if the event attracts less than 19 boats, but five teams will be feted if the tournament attracts more than 26 boats. 

Contestants must fish in five tournaments to qualify for the two-day classic championship in October. The Club uses a points system to determine contestant standings over the year.