OBBT Staff

Thank you sir. As far as fishing another team event it's not really feasible because we don't let anglers have their fish back. Too much for us to try to manage. However, we've had people sign up for both tournaments in the event they catch a big kicker. $110 one day entry into our event would be a nice insurance policy if you happened to run across a 7 pound fish in a team event on Table Rock. You'd hate to catch that fish and realize it might have won you a grand or even better a new boat. We've had others who sign up with us for two day entry as insurance on the Saturday team deal they're fishing and then they join us on Sunday for our event. It's smart money if you know you're going to be there and want a full weekend of fishing.

You are correct. We did late March one year and the conditions were a little rough. However the fishing was outstanding so we will see how it goes in early April. We are looking forward to coming back. Thanks for the feedback

We've moved the event up a little this year to April 2nd and 3rd. Full Tour Schedule here: http://oakleybigbass.com/news/2015/09/15/2016-Big-Bass-Tour-Schedule Look forward to seeing everyone at an event this year.

It's okay my man, I'm not really that bothered. Just providing answers to your queries. How can I expect a five bite guy to understand a one bite tourney anyway... Catch you guys next year. I'll let you get back to spitballing with those on the board year round. Take care gents and tight lines. Mark MJ

Again, we aren't moving the event. We hear the feedback and appreciate it. If we were really after the almighty dollar maybe we would move it but instead we are about working with our partners and hosting a great event. For the last time, I've been on this board for a very long time and showed more patience and restraint when fielding comments than I really care to. Don't get frustrated by the fact that I'm tired of being bullied and returning a little fire. Thanks for the feedback. We appreciate everyone who fished the event. Mark

I knew if I kept posting you'd implode. There's that agenda I was referring to. Take care

Thanks for the positive feedback and the questions. Here's the answers. 1. Our rules are simple and concise as to what is required by our entrants. You can find them noted on our website and you and any angler who enters our events provides an acknowledgment that they've read and understand all rules and requirements. They are here: www.oakleybigbass.com/rules We administer polygraph examinations throughout our events and are diligent in our enforcement. The rules related to sportsmanship are crystal clear as are the rules on encroaching on another boat. It is the contestants job to provide notice of rules violations that happen on the water and we have a formal process for filing a complaint or protest. This is no different that any tournament that you will fish in. 2. Again, please refer to the rules on our website and you'll see the information regarding both sportsmanship and fish care. They are clearly addressed. Finally, we collect all necessary information from our anglers through either our online registration or an onsite registration. In either instance you complete a form with all relevant information. From that point we don't require added information at weigh in because we have you in our computer system and we can see all your data when you arrive (Your name, your address, your date of entry, how many times you've weighed in, how many events you've fished etc etc) We have someone inside our rig who is managing the weigh in process, the back end data and entering the weights into the system which updates to the live leaderboard. This process has been streamlined over time and it's the primary reason our weigh in moves so quickly and we can get you back to the water as soon as possible. If you attended the weigh in then you saw the process first hand. Thanks Mark

Please don't take this as me running down the BBB in any way but our setup meaning our rig, equipment, staging, tanks, fish care, audio, TV production, serving food during the event, etc etc simply can't be replicated at multiple weigh in locations. This isn't two 10x10 pop up tents and a scale. It's a massive production and effort at our weigh in location. If you've fished our event you see that and understand that it isn't going to be replicated at multiple weigh in locations. We run 10 events all over the country and at the other 9 there's zero discussion from anglers regarding multiple weigh in locations. BBB and a handful of others who run events on large river systems deploy multiple weigh in stations but they are small in scale and don't require the same set up. People are used to that around here and expect it and I get it. There are advantages and disadvantages to both set ups but we prefer ours and that's what we've built our events around. Secondarily we are there to help promote our sponsor and partner Bass Pro Shops and their outstanding facilities on the lake. It's literally the reason with are at this lake for KVD's event. Without them this event wouldn't exist. While that may not be a problem for a handful of "locals" on this forum it would be for those who love this event and attend it every year. Again, anglers from 20 different states attended this years event. It's a destination event on a destination lake and people enjoy it. Finally, here's the punchline. Since we started this event in 2010 the attendance has grown 15-20% each year. We've increased the paybacks every year and continued to provide a quality event at a reasonable entry fee. All the while paying attention to the fishery, our fish care and the customers we serve. Our overall attendance is up year to year at every event that we host. We survey consistently and ask how we can better our events and we try to make small adjustments where possible. The adding of weigh in locations isn't happening and we continue to reiterate that when asked. Again, there's no smoke and mirrors here. We are open and direct with our communication regarding this issue. To be honest I'm not sure why people continue to harp on this point when it isn't changing. Thanks for your feedback regardless. Mark

FYI, we are a paid advertiser on this forum. Secondly, we have no problem with the feedback/opinions. What I personally have a problem with is the same handful of people who've made the same basic comments each year for the last four years. They are simply here to be negative and it's completely clear that they have an agenda. If you'll check every thread we've made on this board you'll see that we consistently answer the questions regardless of their validity. I'll say it again because people continue to overlook my points. If you're making comments that are based on facts or your personal experience with our events then I have no issue. It's those with no experience with our tournament and no reliable information making comments that I have a problem with. But feel free to continue to fire them at me and I'll entertain you...

Yep, see you then kind sir. Look forward to all your positive thoughts and comments. FYI, in most instances you're the one with the brush running through can after can... Take care.

Jerry, thanks for the reply but I'm pretty sure I answered with a percentage related to this event in years past. In each of our six years we have raised the payouts at this event, along with every other event that we host. As the entries increase we increase the both associated payout percentage and number of paid places. We advertise a guaranteed payout regardless of entries. That means we take all the risk as we could have 1 entrant or 1000. Our rules, entry information, payouts, etc are there for everyone who enters our events to see. There's no smoke and mirrors. They know the boat they are going to win and the amount of hourly cash that is guaranteed at our events. Also, I answer the additional weigh in request every year. We are here at this event because of Bass Pro Shops and to host the event at their Long Creek Marina property. The weigh in location isn't changing and we will NOT be offering multiple weigh in sites. It simply does not work for our set up. Not sure why this is continually brought up when we've made it clear that there will only be one weigh in location. Thanks Mark

Hard to have sensitivity with the core group of respondents here who've continue to offer their thoughts and opinions. It's year 6 and the same replies/attacks. Check the threads over the years and my proven patience and continued efforts to reply. As I mentioned on the previous posts we focus our customer service efforts on our customers, not those on a forum board who continuously attack our event. Thanks for your feedback regardless. Cheers, Mark

I'll make one final effort here to reply but in the last 6 years that we've been doing this event it's the same individuals on this board attacking the event, the anglers competing in it and those of us running it. Our event is no different than a BASS Open or FLW Rayovac or Big Bass Bash event visiting this lake in terms of numbers and impact. The event has grown in participation each year and 99% of our anglers provide positive feedback from our events. Please don't take this the wrong way but we are more than willing to listen to feedback and comments regarding those who fish with us. Those who haven't who come on this board to complain are doing so with an agenda and opinion of our events with no basis in facts or experience with the event. So while I consistently and respectfully address your questions/opinions/insults I take it all with a grain of salt. Here's some facts for you naysayers to consider: 1. Anglers from 20 different states traveled to this event to complete this year. That's real money in your local economy to business owners that you know and call friends. It's also additional money as they come to pre fish for this event or travel back to this beautiful place because we introduced them to it. 2. A big bass event has far less impact on the fish due to limiting the number of fish in the live well during the event and the fact that we weigh one fish instead of 5. This isn't a matter of opinion it's a simple fact of the math. 3. We are meticulous with our fish care and only lost three (3) fish the entire weekend across both days of the event. We release them back healthy for future anglers to catch and hopefully release. 4. We respect the fisheries that we visit and all of the hosts and people that we work with and anyone who says otherwise is simply looking to cause trouble and is making those statements again with no basis in fact. Last point for me today. The kid who won this event was 19 and fishing with his father for the first time in a tournament. When he weighed in his dad yelled so loud it was incredible. They are grinning ear to ear. To James I say, they have just as much right to enjoy this fishery and compete in this tournament and your arrogance around being a "5 Fish" angler is shameful. 99% of the people who fish our events love fishing and are weekend anglers at best. They have every right to enjoy our resources and compete in an event. So they might "get lucky' in your opinion but I'll bet you $1 dollar they couldn't possibly care less what your opinion of them is at this moment. Sincere thanks to everyone who fished with us this weekend and congrats to those who cashed checks. Huge congrats to Brendan Madden on his first ever tournament win fishing with your dad. Well done. Enjoy that Nitro. Take care everyone.

That's total anglers regardless of a one day or two day entry. Roughly 300 boats

Just over 600 anglers