En Fuego prepares for inaugural Easter Bass Tournament
Published 5:41 pm Tuesday, March 22, 2016
En Fuego Ministries will host its inaugural Easter Classic Bass Tournament at Higgins Ferry Park and Lake Mitchell on Saturday.
The tournament will begin at safe daylight and end with a weigh-in at 2 p.m. Registration will also be available for walk-up entries at 4 a.m. the day of the event.
Participants are required to pay a $110 entry fee and can pre-register by calling En Fuego board member Mike Graham at (205) 294-1882.
Proceeds from the event will go toward funding the 20th annual En Fuego Music Festival, which is scheduled for Aug. 29 in Verbena.
According to Graham, an estimated $5,000 to $7,000 is expected to be earned that will benefit the music festival.
There are an estimated 60 to 75 boats expected to participate in the event.
According to Graham, the time that a participant signs up will affect the boat number and the starting time that they are assigned.
“It gives you a chance to get out early and claim your spot,” Graham said.
The first-place winner will receive $2,500, which is a guaranteed amount for the winner regardless of the number of registered boats.
The number of entries will determine the amount of payouts for the second- to fifth- place finishers.
Other payouts up for grabs are a $500 “Big Bass Pot” awarded for the largest fish that is weighed.
There will also be a $100 “No Weigh Drawing” that will offer an opportunity for those who decide not to weigh their fish.
A range of door prizes will be offered at the event and will include a $300 Calcutta 80 cooler, two rod and reel combos each worth $200, “Tackle Packs” worth over $50 apiece, P-Line pliers and pies by Mike pecan pies.
Coffee, biscuit and sausage will be provided for breakfast, and lunch will be provided for the participants following the tournament.
The event is sponsored by G.R.A.C.E.’s Marina, Ellison Funeral Home, Suds R Us, ALFA Insurance, Robert’s Auto Repair, Pies By Mike and Kiwanis Club of Clanton.
“Without them we couldn’t guarantee the big prize money,” Graham said.