Following the success of the inaugural event, which raised over $130,000 for local healthcare services, this tournament has become an annual tradition supporting the Mruk Family Center on Aging, Peitz Cancer Support House, and the Schliemann Center for Women’s Health.
Event Highlights
- Location: The tournament takes place on Lake Norfork, with the launch and weigh-in typically hosted at the Lake Norfork Marina in Henderson, AR.
- Bass Classic Banquet: A celebratory banquet usually precedes the tournament (traditionally held on Friday evening), featuring live music, dinner, and auctions.
- Prizes: Recent tournaments have featured cash prize pools exceeding $7,500, with first place typically taking home $4,000.
- Registration: Entry fees have previously been set at $200 per boat. Official registration forms and live updates are provided through the Baxter Health Foundation website.
Key Rules & Eligibility
- Professional Status: Elite professional anglers are typically ineligible to compete, keeping the field open for local and amateur talent.
- Scoring: Teams weigh their best five bass with a 15-inch minimum length requirement.
- Safety: Mandatory life preservers and ignition kill switches are required while engines are running.
