The organizer of a tournament last month at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas is drawing criticism after the tournament failed to deliver on pre-tournament promises.
Michael McCloud, director of Big Bass Mania, had initially guaranteed a $125,000 prize to the winner of the event. Hourly big-fish awards were promised as were donations to local Wounded Warriors organizations. Neither became a reality nor did the first-place payout.
According to a report in the June 22 edition of the Lone Star Outdoors News, as the event drew closer McCloud began telling registrants that a 700-boat field would be needed in order to ensure payouts. A digital counter on the tournament’s web site the day before the event indicated 589 anglers had signed up, but the website offered the option to defer payment until arrival at the tournament, essentially giving anglers an out if they chose not to fish.
The report stated only 91 anglers eventually fished the tournament, 82 of them paid entrants. The winner collected $5,000 and the remainder of the Top 10 claimed cash awards.
To read Lone Star Outdoor News’ reporting on the issue, click here. The story begins on page 8.
