Bass Federation ARKIE Cup Rules & Regulations Bass Federation
Article from The Sun-Times
By Will Gilbert
Anglers from across the state converged at Greers Ferry Lakes Devils Fork Fishing Facility Saturday for the Arkansas B.A.S.S. Federation Arkie Cup presented by Payton Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick of Heber Springs.
With the lake level reaching near a record high, 63 boats with approximately125 fishermen paid an entry fee of $100 for the chance at winning the grand prize of $2500. The next 11 highest weights split $4,210 plus a Big Bass award of $630 was also given away.
Even those who didnt win a prize came out champions because 30 percent of the proceeds went to the Arkansas Childrens Hospital in Little Rock.
B.A.S.S. Tournament director Ron Plate of North Little Rock said he expected 100-125 boats but was pleased with the turnout considering the water level on the lake.
Plate and fellow directors Bobby Davenport, Tom Phillips, Gary Hubbell and Tim Marshall were delighted to help raise money for the hospital. The people Ive talked to that did pre-fishing on the lake this week said its tough. The water is dirty, its cold and fish tend to scatter out. You here about one here or there but its tough right now because of the weather conditions. I think if we would have had better water conditions it would have drawn 100 or more (boats), said Plate.
Since we got started on this tournament a little late in November we decided to have Arkansas Children’s Hospital as the benefactor because it affects everyone. We estimate that the hospital will get somewhere between $3,000 and $3500, Plate added.
Phillips also offered his thoughts on the tournament. We are not reducing fees or anything to make this happen. It is completely self-supporting. We counted on a number of folks but unfortunately the weather put a little damper on those numbers.
This was the first tournament B.A.S.S. has held on Greers Ferry Lake, according to Davenport, President of the federation. Our committee has put a lot of time into this for a good cause. I dont know what to say, Im just shocked about the way its turned out so good considering the weather lately.
Davenport said he has personally fished Greers Ferry about four times with the lake high, but never at the present level of 480 feet above mean sea level. For somebody that’s not from around here it is tough but it makes the playing field more even I think. The locals are going to have to struggle to catch fish too. They just aren’t in the holes that they normally are.
Marshall, the tournament fish measurer from Greers Ferry, was the first angler to weigh-in around 1 p.m. He said, these were my only two bites as he placed two bass on the scales before releasing them back into the lake.
Marshall is a prime example of how the lake was hard to fish even for the locals, although the rest of the field had nearly two hours longer to find a maximum of five bass. It’s tough right now because the water rose about 20 feet above normal. With all the rain and clouds the fish get scattered and it really hurts. I checked all the backwaters, creeks and run-ins and they are all muddy. I went to the lower end and it was murky. I’ve caught one over six pounds and two over three pounds this week so I figure someone will bring in a good weight.
With most anglers fishing in two-man teams, Todd Lancaster and John Gruswald caught the biggest bass, which weighed 4.85 pounds while Lonnie Turner and Randy Berry blew away the field for the grand prize of $2500 with five fish that totaled 15.91 pounds.
Ray Gouin and Kevin Attendarn placed second with an overall weight of 11.08, earning $1000 while Jason Johnson and Bryan Johnson teamed up for third place with a weight of 10.9 pounds.
The Johnson team picked up $650 for their finish. Around 2 p.m., the two were found near some brush close to the bridge just around the corner from Devils Fork. I’ve enjoyed it, said Bryon, we’ve been using Carolina rigs to catch small mouth mostly in clear water. We probably have about 10 pounds here. Anything to help a good cause is fun.
Hunter Baughman was the ambassador for Arkansas Children’s Hospital and he was able to fish after recovering from leg amputation. Will Whiting, Senior Community Development Coordinator for the Children’s Hospital also attended to support Baughman and the tournament.
Several onlookers came out to enjoy live music performed by the Charlie Ray Grammer Karaoke Club of DeWitt and devour grilled hot dogs.
Chesapeake Energy, MotorGuide and BassCat helped make the tournament possible as corporate sponsors that contributed $1000 each and Payton Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick was a B.A.S.S. partner that gave $2500 to help launch the event.
Plate said the B.A.S.S. plans to hold two more Arkie Cups at Devils Fork around March or April of 2009-10.



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