For just the second time in Big Bass Splash history, a woman has brought in the biggest bass and taken top honors.  In 2016, Tonja Woytasczyk from Dayton, Texas brought in a bass that weighed 12.04 to win the event at Lake Sam Rayburn. Five years later, history has repeated itself as Julie Brown from Lubbock, Texas takes the grand prize with a bass that weighed 11.29 pounds.

Brown's first place haul includes a new Dodge truck, fully rigged-out Triton bass boat, and $10,000.  All totaled, the lady angler's winnings for the 38th annual event come to over $106,000.  Brown, along with her fishing partner, landed the monster bass on the first day of the three day tourney. She brought the fish in to the weigh in site at Umphrey Pavilion in the 8am-9am weigh in hour on Friday.  Brown, who was emotional during the awards ceremony, was fishing in her first Big Bass Splash Tournament. Around 3400 entries fished this year's event.

Here's a look at the overall top five:

  • Julie Brown, Lubbock, TX - 11.29
  • Ricky Guy, Humble, TX - 10.14
  • Jared Smith, Petal, MS - 9.95
  • Roger Griffin, Hemphill, TX - 9.57
  • Michael Fesco, Sour Lake, 9.47

$550,000 in cash and prizes were paid out at this years event.  Next year's Sam Rayburn tourney will be held on April 22-23-24.  Bob Sealy, director of Sealy Outdoors, teased that the 40th annual Big Bass Splash on Rayburn will be the richest in amateur fishing history.  The next Big Bass Splash event on the calendar is coming up May 14-15-15 at Toledo Bend Reservoir. That tournament guarantees a payout of $500,000 in cash and prizes.

2021 Big Bass Splash on Lake Sam Rayburn

 

 

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