2011 Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza

[JUSTINBATES]

Registration is now open for the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza, the country's largest amateur big bass tournament, which returns to the Natural State for an twelfth consecutive year, June 24-26.

Fishing enthusiasts can register online at www.arkansasbigbass.com to participate in the tournament. Beginning June 10, registration is $90 per day ($80 + $10 late fee). Anglers can choose to fish one, two or all three days of the tournament.

The angler who lands the largest fish in the three-day tournament will take home $50,000, with other cash prizes available throughout the weekend. Total prize money will be determined by the total number of registrants in the tournament.

The Arkansas Hospitality Association announced that Academy Sports and Outdoors will be donating gift cards for the Big Bass Bonanza Tournament to add to the already $100,000 of guaranteed prize money.

The Academy Sports and Outdoors bonuses include the following amounts:
•   A $300.00 Gift Card to any exact 3lb. fish on the 3rd  payout hour, 9:01-10 am
•   A $400.00 Gift Card to any exact 4lb. fish on the 4th payout hour, 10:01 -11am
•   A $500.00 Gift Card to any exact 5lb. fish on the 5th payout hour, 11:01-12 (noon)
The bonuses will be awarded each day and for each of the five fishing pools.

The tournament begins at 6 a.m. sharp on all three days, with the first hourly weigh-in
at 8 a.m. and subsequent weigh-ins at the top of each hour until the final 1 p.m. weigh-in. Cash prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish in each pool each hour. (More information on tournament rules and format is available on the Web site at www.arkansasbigbass.com).

Brought to you by the Arkansas Hospitality Association, the contest spans 300 miles of eligible fishing from Fort Smith to Dumas — the entire length of the Arkansas River within the state's borders.

Sponsors include the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, the North Little Rock Visitors Bureau, the Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau, Hardees and Academy Sports & Outdoors.

As in previous years, the river will be divided into five fishing pools, and each pool will
have one official weigh-in site. The five weigh-in sites are:

•   Clear Creek Park, Fort Smith;
•   Dardanelle State Park, Russellville side;
•   Alltel Ramp, North Little Rock;
•   Regional Park, Pine Bluff; and
•   Pendleton Bridge, east of Dumas.

Fishermen can choose to fish any of the five pools and can fish different pools during the
three-day event. However, all fish must be weighed in the pool in which they were caught. Eligible fish species include largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky spotted bass (black bass).

Registration packets are available at 11 different sites throughout the state or online at
www.arkansasbigbass.com. Online registration includes a secure credit card processing feature.

Official registration sites are the following:

Fort Smith
The Tackle Box
3001 South Zero Street

Barling Boat Sales
6401 S. Zero

Russellville
Wilkins Brothers Outdoors
815 N. Arkansas

Hot Springs
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports
1530 Albert Pike


Sherwood
Fish 'N Stuff
6506 Warden Road

Little Rock
Arkansas Hospitality Association.
603 South Pulaski

Arkansas Rod & Reel
8216 Cantrell Road

Redfield
Terri Foods, Inc.
111 River Road

Pine Bluff/White Hall
Spencer's Marine
6813 Princeton Pike

Dumas
Back Gate One Stop & Motel
Hwy 165 (Six miles east of Dumas)


For more information about the tournament, contact the Arkansas Hospitality Association
at 1-800-472-5022 or via e-mail at .