Patrick Chapman of Parkdale Wins on Final Day LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After competing in the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza for over a decade, Patrick Chapman finally took home the big prize this year. The 6.81-pound bass he caught in the 11:00 hour on Sunday lifted him over two-day leader Daniel Shults’ 5.63-pound fish, also [...]

Teenager’s 5.63-Pound Bass is Fish To Beat LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 25, 2011) — Seventeen-year old Daniel Shults of Pine Bluff continued to hold his lead, after the end of the second day of fishing in the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza, with the 5.63-pound bass he caught near Dumas on Friday. Shults noted that his [...]

Daniel Shults of Pine Bluff leads the field of anglers with a 5.63 pound bass he caught in the Dumas pool.  Shults caught the fish in the 9 a.m. hour to take the overall lead on the first day of the three-day tournament. When asked about the experience, Shults, who spent the morning fishing with [...]

The Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza, Arkansas’ largest amateur fishing tournament, has seen a sharp increase in registration in the final week before the tournament, including anglers from both New Hampshire and California. “It is shaping up to be an exciting tournament,” said Montine McNulty, executive director of the Arkansas Hospitality Association and tournament organizer.  “I [...]

Check out this interview with the 2010 Big Bass Bonanza winner Nicholas Warden on KTHV 6:30 news.

The Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza starts this Friday, June 24 and runs through Sunday, June 26. You can still register online at www.arkansasbigbass.com, fax your registration form with credit card information and signed waiver and release to (501) 376-6517, or visit an official registration site. Fort Smith Barling Boat • 6401 Zero Street Tackle Box [...]

Friday, June 10 is the last day to register for the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza for $80 per day. Beginning Saturday, June 11, the registration fee will be $90 per day. You may register online at www.arkansasbigbass.com, fax your credit card information to (501) 376-6517, by mail to Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza, P.O. Box 3866, [...]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Army Corps of Engineers has lifted the small craft advisory on the Arkansas River. Before setting out in a pleasure craft, always check flow conditions. Corps officials urge boaters to always use caution on the river. Wear a life jacket, and never operate a boat while intoxicated. Give commercial towboats [...]

Saturday’s Leader Holds On To Win $50,000 In the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza

Although Nicholas Warden of Beebe had fished in the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza the past two years, he had not planned to compete again this year. However, his step dad talked him into going to Dumas to fish with him, and now Warden is sure glad he did.

His 6.62-pound bass that he reeled in on Saturday morning held up as the overall leader in the three-day tournament, and Warden, 30, is taking home $50,000 for his efforts. Warden beat out 1,754 other anglers to win the grand prize.

It didn’t take Nicholas Warden of Beebe long Saturday to take the overall lead in the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza fishing tournament on the Arkansas River. Warden caught a 6.62-pound bass in Pool 5 near Dumas that he brought in during the 8 a.m. weigh-in.

If his fish remains the biggest catch of the three-day tournament, Warden will take home the guaranteed $50,000 grand prize. Anglers still have from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday to try and snag a larger bass. Each weigh-in location will be taking registrations prior to the 6 a.m. starting time Sunday for the last day of the tournament. Registration is $90 per person.