Annual big bass tournament will be May 4 at Lake Wright Patman in Texarkana

TEXARKANA–The ninth annual Cooper Tires Big Bass Fishing Tournament will make another splash on May 4 at Sportsman Cove on Lake Wright Patman.

The tournament, which will benefit United Way of Greater Texarkana, will begin at 6 a.m., with check-ins starting earlier at 4:30 a.m. The entry fee is $80, and there is guaranteed prize money for first through sixth place.

Tournament director Kyle Thomas believes this year’s tournament will be better than the previous ones and said there will be more guaranteed prize money — more than $16,000 — for the top anglers. First place will now be $5,000 compared to last year’s $3,000 prize. There will also be nearly $20,0000 in raffle items throughout the day.

Kelley Frix won last year’s tournament with a winning bass of 6.63 pounds.

Tickets will be $5 for one or $20 for five.

“I’d like to thank all the volunteers, sponsors, fishermen, and women, along with the United Way staff,” Thomas said in a press release. “We’re expecting a record number…