In 1983 Bob Sealy had a dream. That dream was to put together the ultimate big bass tournament 
- one open only to amateurs, the grass roots of the industry - and one that would overshadow even the richest of tournaments on the professional tour. Today that dream has become a reality. The McDonald's Big Bass Splash¨ events, which have made appearances on lakes in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, are that reality.
For twenty years, thousands upon thousands of anglers of every age, race, and gender have participated in the Big Bass Splash¨ events. They have come from almost every state in the union plus Mexico for a chance to win some of the millions of dollars that have been paid out; over $12 million dollars in fact. There have also been more than 400 boats, trucks, travel trailers, and four-wheelers awarded to contestants and spectators.
In addition to paying out millions to anglers, Sealy Outdoors, has been able to raise more than $1 million which has been paid to charities along the way too. A * portion of every entry fee has always been given back to the Ronald McDonald¨ House and other select charities making the events not only fun, but truly meaningful as well.
In the beginning, the prize purse was a total of $17,300, given away on Lake Sam Rayburn. It was a two day-event back then with an entry fee of $35 per day. The payback was for the top forty anglers overall plus the top big fish of each hour. The following year, that purse jumped to more than $30,000 and then steadily climbed year after year; $50K, $70K, $100K, $125K, $143K, $148K.
In 1994, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary, the event was lengthened to encompass three days. With that, the payback jumped to $250K, but didn't slow down, it continued to climb in 1997 to a whopping $305K where the entry fees did level off at $75 per day. After that, although the entry fees have not changed, the paybacks did, going to more than $400K in '98. This year, the payout for the three scheduled McBass events on Lakes Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, and Fork will exceed $1,075,000!!!
Along the way, the payback format changed as well. What began as a Top 
40 overall payback plus one big fish paid each hour became Top 40 plus three each hour, then Top 50 plus 5 each hour. By 1994, again for the 10th Anniversary, the payback had evolved into the current format; ten places paid in cash each hour plus 5 overall places featuring spectacular sportsman prizes; boats, trucks, travel trailers, ATVs, etc.
The money and prizes didn't stop there. In 1986 the first "Exact Weight Boat" contest began. This award went to the first angler bringing in a bass weighing exactly 5.00 pounds, and they then brought home a fully rigged bass boat. This contest has been extremely popular over the years and has varied to include, on different lakes, as many as five boats given away for 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 pound fish. Until 1991 all overall and hourly winners were eligible for yet another boat drawing. This was changed in 1991 to include all contestants entered into the tournament and is now know as the "Elimination Draw Boat".
In addition to a dream of competition for grass roots fishermen, Bob envisioned a family atmosphere where everyone could participate. The Little Anglers Division was created in 1989 to reach out to children and promote the future of fishing. In this event, participating kids bring in bass, catfish, crappie, or perch, with prizes awarded for each category. Among the prizes awarded to the kids for their catches over the years have been cash, gift certificates, sponsor product, and plaques certifying their achievement.
Everyone at a Big Bass Splash¨ Event gets into the action. Although spectators had been a big part of the "show" from the beginning, they began to get in on the prize action in the second season when the "Open Drawing" was added to the agenda. Always presented as the finale for each event, it has become a fan favorite! Over the years these awards have included bass boats, pontoon boats, and travel trailers. Games have always added to the fun too. Along the way Bob has played games such as "Lets Make a Deal" up on stage. It became so popular that folks would come dressed in costume for the action.
Bob is known for mingling with the crowd and getting involved with them in addition to putting on the tournament show. Its not unusual to find him crouched down talking to a child and being totally upstaged by a youngster with a story to tell. There have even been impromptu prizes and recognitions awarded for special anglers such as the Military Service personnel who were awarded entry fees for an upcoming tournament. These particular anglers had participated for years in the McBass events and had come to use it as a reunion for their group each year. They were going to be unable to make the next tournament however as they were being shipped overseas for duty. Bob heard about this and awarded them paid entry fees to a future tournament.
Corporate sponsors have also played a big part in bringing these events to life. Bob has always teamed up with the leading manufacturers and retailers to bring the best that the industry has to offer to the public. Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Shimano, Pure Fishing/Berkley, Vexilar, Polaris, Texas Fish & Game, and Minn Kota are some of the key companies who have provided prizes over the years and are presently consider Platinum Sponsors.
For the future, and new for the 20th Anniversary season, the event continues to grow and will encompass a "Block Party" to further enhance the family experience. This facet will include vendor booths and sponsor displays, sponsor promotions such as casting competitions, local entertainment, and activities such as a catfish pond for the youngsters. For the homecoming on Sam Rayburn in '04, Country Music Artist Neal McCoy has been invited to perform a concert that will be free to the public. Bass legend Jimmy Houston will also be on-hand for stage demonstrations and advice on fishing, presented by Shimano.
The story doesn't end with the production of the largest and most lucrative grass roots events in the country. Reaching out to another tier of angler, Sealy Outdoors created the Open Team Splash¨ to draw the angler who desires competition in a partner format. These events are 
conducted regionally in East Texas/Western Louisiana and include four events per season culminating with a Championship where the "Angler of the Year" designation is awarded. Bob pioneered this format, consisting of an all-cash payout averaging $188 thousand paid annually. This year, once again, he raises the bar with a guaranteed payback at each qualifying event of $62K!
There have been other events in the Sealy Outdoors portfolio too, including the Big Trout Splash¨ and Team Trout Splash¨ events as well a hunting extravaganza, Mega Whitetail Bucks¨. Bob also created East TX Deer Fest, which is still conducted annually in Hemphill, TX. Other fishing tournaments that Sealy Outdoors has directed along the way include: The Oilman Classics, NFL Skeeter, Anheuser Busch, Tracy Byrd, Burger King, and Boys Haven. In 2003 Sealy Outdoors partnered with JM Associates and ESPN2 to bring the Redfish Cup to life and it is well on its way to becoming the premier salt water event for redfishing.
Each year, Bob proudly declares that we "aint seen nothin yet!" and that seems to have been proven over the years. Sealy Outdoors has proven to be an industry leader and continues to bring fun, fishing, and CASH to the grass roots anglers of the world while benefiting those in need; indeed, the legend lives on.
