The second Baxter Health Foundation Bass Classic launches its festivities tonight with a banquet at the Baxter Health Wellness Education Center. The event, which serves as a precursor to Saturday's fishing tournament on Norfork Lake, seeks to raise funds for several local health programs. The foundation raised over $130,000 during the inaugural event last year.
The banquet, scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., offers tickets for $50. Attendees can enjoy a fish fry prepared by John 3:16 Ministries featuring catfish, chicken tenders, fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies. Beer and wine will be available for purchase, and the evening will include live music by the Country Case Band, along with silent auctions and raffles.
Saturday’s fishing tournament begins at 7 a.m. at Lake Norfork Marina in Henderson, with anglers vying for $7,750 in prize money. The entry fee is $200 per boat with a two-angler limit, and registration can be completed at baxterhealth.org/bassclassic. Prizes include $4,000 for first place, $2,000 for second, $1,000 for third, $500 for fourth, and $250 for fifth. A separate award will be given for the biggest bass.
Competitors can anticipate a chilly morning launch, with a forecasted low near 48 degrees, but temperatures are expected to rise to a high near 79 degrees in the afternoon. Rain chances are minimal, providing a noticeable improvement over last year’s tournament, which was held in November.
In last year’s tournament, Corey Cook of Lake Ozark, Missouri, and Roger Cook of Lebanon, Missouri, narrowly secured first place with five bass weighing 13.52 pounds, edging out Todd and Matt St. Clair of Pyatt by just 0.37 pounds. Tony Moser of Violet Hill and Randy Zeigler of Glencoe took home the big bass prize with a 5.70-pound catch. More than 70 boats competed in the event.
The foundation’s Gift Officer, Cindy Costa, described last year’s tournament as the "best event we’ve ever done" following the weigh-in. The effort supports the Peitz Cancer Support House, the Mruk Family Center on Aging, the Schliemann Center for Women’s Health, and the foundation’s annual fund.
This year’s event comes with a few changes. The banquet venue has shifted from the Baxter County Fairgrounds to the Wellness Education Center, and ticket prices have been reduced from $75 to $50. Anglers are encouraged to check the foundation’s website for official tournament rules, which last year included restrictions such as a five-bass limit per boat, a minimum length of 15 inches, artificial lures only, and no Alabama rigs. Late check-ins incurred a one-pound penalty per minute.
Saturday’s weigh-in is set for 3 p.m. at the marina docks, an event expected to draw significant community support and engagement, much like last year. Proceeds from the weekend will continue to fund vital health programs serving the Baxter County area.