Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

Fishermen are preparing to reel in a big win April 7 at the Selma Food Bank Bass Tournament fundraiser. The Selma Area Food Bank’s mission is to raise awareness of food insecurity in the Blackbelt region.

Partnering with local non-profits and businesses to fundraise and accept food donations is a way the organization holds true to that mission. This fundraiser is an example of some of the programs the organizations hosts.

Bass Tournament director Jebb Harrison said last year the event was a success and they are looking for more participants in this year’s tournament.

“It was a nice fundraiser for the food bank,” he said. “All the fisherman I talked to were happy with the way we ran it.”

The tournament will be take place at the Roland Cooper State Park in Camden and will start around 6 or 6:30 a.m. It is scheduled to end at 3 p.m. However, Harrison said both start and end times are dependent upon safe light, a requirement for fishermen to be able to see while fishing.

Each boat will be judged on the total weight of a maximum of five fish for the tournament. Redeye, largemouth, and spotted bass are the only fish counted for the competition. The first place prize for this portion of the contest is $2,500. The entry fee for the tournament is $105.

Harrison said there is a “bonus” competition called “Big Fish” and in the big fish competition each boat will have one of their five fish weighed and the heaviest weight will win first place.

The monetary prize for the “Big Fish” competition is determined on how many boats participate the day of the tournament. To enter into the tournament and the Big Fish portion, the entry fee is $115.

All state and federal game laws will apply during the tournament. Also, to ensure honesty and make sure no one is cheating, the first and second place winners will have to take a polygraph test. 

The Gettin Outdoors Radio Show with Big Daddy Lawler will be broadcasting live during the tournament.

Guests are asked to bring a canned good as a donation to the Selma Area Food Bank.