Making Bass Fishing Great Again

Bill Luke Bass Days is "Making Bass Fishing Great Again!" The 18th annual event at Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina is handing out over $50,000 in cash prizes over the course of the three-days bass fishing tournament.

The bass fishing tournament has six daily hourly weigh-ins; every hour first place pays $300, second through tenth place pay $100. Top Overall Big Bass this year wins $10,000! The Biggest Bass of The Day, each day, will win $2,000. And, Bill Luke will pay a $1,000 cash award to the lucky contestant each day who has the 7th biggest bass during the 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. weigh-in and is wearing the Bill Luke Bass Days t-shirt.

Specials For The Women And Kids

This year the lady anglers will share $1,750 and trophies for the first three places over and above the regular payouts. Kids fish for free with a paid adult and will receive a medal presentation and a gift card for those weighing a fish. Be sure also to enter the Striper Option; there is extra money for a catching a striped bass.

Fishing is for the whole family and at all levels. Fishing guides and those who make 60 percent or more of their annual income from fishing need not apply. This is a "live" bait and artificial lure tournament. Proper fish care is paramount. Dead fish will not be weighed. We'll have water dogs from Liar's Corner available at the sign-up tent at the lake.

Cash, Cash. Cash!

We have Bonus Cash! Sign-in at Bill Luke CJDR and catch the second largest bass on Friday or Sunday and win a $1,000. To be eligible for this prize, you must sign our CASH BONUS book located in the service department and sign-in at Sportman's Warehouse.

Also there can be a $1,000 winner who catches the second largest bass on Saturday. To be eligible for this prize you must sign our CASH BONUS book located in the store at I17 and Yorkshire Blvd. in Phoenix. You may register for the event online at http://www.billukebassdays.com or at the Bill Luke Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM dealership at I17 and West Camelback Road.

Think about this: one fish, just one fish, could $300 for the hourly prize, $1,000 for the Bonus Cash, $2,000 for the daily biggest bass and then $10,000 for the overall big bass - $13,300.00 for one fish! Is that great? Yes, that "Makes Bass Fishing Great Again!" All this is possible only at Bill Luke Bass Days. We'll give you the money!

For Cat Anglers

If you're a cat fisherman, sign up for the Arizona Cat Fish Conservation Association "Catfish Derby". This year again we are proud to welcome back the Arizona Catfish Conservation Association (ACCA).

The ACCA is a non-profit organization with the goal to promote awareness and conservation for catfish in Arizona lakes and rivers. Catfish tournament participants will fish for the largest catfish on Friday and Saturday nights. There are two weigh-ins - Saturday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. More information can be found at Catfishaz.com.

Sign-Up Times

Fishing sign up begins Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. and daily at 4:00 a.m. at the main tent at Lake Pleasant RV Resort, on the east side of Lake Pleasant. Sign up at the lake is mandatory. Rules are posted on line http://www.billlukebassdays.com.

Something For Everyone

Bill Luke Bass Days is the Southwest's largest family fishing tournament and festival held March 18, 19, 20 at Lake Pleasant. This year's is sure to be one of our biggest events! There is fun for everyone:

• day and night time festivals featuring a Corn Hole Tournament,

• free carnival rides,

• vendors,

• food,

• wildlife exhibits,

• car show with hot rods, muscle cars, and dragsters,

• world speed-record holder and vintage open-wheel dirt track racecars and racing legend Billy Shuman from the AZ Open Wheel Racing Museum,

• military vehicle displays,

• vintage tractors and a vintage 1917 steam engine from the Arizona Early Days Gas Engine and Tractor Association,

• live music concerts Friday and Saturday nights, and

• free boating-safety inspections being provided by USCG AUX, Flotilla 10-11; you may qualify for a cash discount from your insurance company with the USCG Certification. (Boating safety begins with you and it's free!)

'But Wait; There's More'

Meet and greet military soldiers and sailors from the US Army, US Navy, various "First Responders" from City of Peoria Fire and Police departments, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and the fine folks from our Arizona Game And Fish Department.

Sportfishing charter Captain Bill Wilkerson from Malihini Sportfishing H&M Landing's premier ¾ -day offshore sportfishing boat will be on hand to answer all your questions on saltwater fishing out of San Diego.

Talk hooks and techniques with Ron Stallings from Daiichi Hooks, the world's sharpest hooks, and ask him about the new "Gun Protect" for your firearms. Get guidance from Arizona's own "Striper Snatcher" Guide Derrick Franks on how to catch stripers on Lake Pleasant; he's got the experience, the lures and the secrets.

Helicopter rides over the lake will be available Saturday by Sun State Helicopter with Captain Chris Dobkins in his new Raven R44.

Camp On Site

Bill Luke Bass Days has over 60 dry camping spaces available in two different areas inside the event. Each spot is measured out to a minimum of 25 feet by 40 feet and is $100 per space. The two locations are on the north end and south end of the event. Each spot is on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $100 for all three days.

Staging will start March 17th at 10 a.m. Contact Steve Zea for vendor and camping details and reservations at 602-989-9444. All reservations are first-come, first-served.

RAM Trucks And More Fun

Curious about RAM trucks? Love the outdoors? Come out to Bill Luke Bass Days and Experience the new 2016 RAM 1500. We will have several RAM Trucks on site as well as RAM specialists to answer all of your questions.

So, come out to the lake and enjoy the weather and free rides and all the fun courtesy of Bill Luke, serving our community since 1927.

Bill Luke Bass Days "Making Bass Fishing Great Again" for 18 years! What's in your live well?