Majestic, McDonald’s same weekend

Bass fishermen already have too many choices — lures, lakes, locations, techniques…

Now they have another one. A BIG one.  Two of the regions largest bass tournaments, which have in the past been held a month apart, ended up on the same days this summer. Saturday and Sunday June 11 -12 will be the dates for two long-running tourneys, the  annual Majestic Big Bass tournament on Lake D’Arbonne and the Ronald McDonald House Big Bass tournament on the Ouachita River.

Both tournaments are for good causes and have a history of being great events for area bass fishermen. They also both have a huge impact on the area’s economy. It’s a shame they ended up on the same weekend.

Scott Smith with last year’s 7.04 lunker that won the Majestic on D’Arbonne

The Majestic has traditionally been held on these days, the second weekend in June, and it always draws 200 or more fishermen. The Ronald McDonald Classic is usually the second weekend of May and draws nearly 500 fishermen. The bad news is that the number of fishermen will decrease, probably dramatically, for one or both of these fine events.

“When we changed the date, we had no idea the other tournament was this weekend,” said McDonald House Manager Pam Kearney. “We moved it to this date because it’s a free fishing weekend in Arkansas and Louisiana and those that go across the state lines can do so without purchasing an out-of-state license. I guess no matter when we have it, we will bump up against somebody.”

Dale Taylor of Downsville, long-time director for the Majestic was understandably upset.

“Since both of these events are Big Bass Tournaments the area fishermen will be forced to choose between the two. It’s unfortunate that an organization as big as The Ronald McDonald Big Bass Classic would not take into consideration the very people, the fishermen, that make any Bass Tournament a success”, he said.

I hope both events are a success and I hope that this conflict can be resolved in the future, for the good of both organizations.

For more information about the Majestic, call Dale or Gale Taylor at 318-235-1039 or 368-0666. For more on the McDonald’s tournament, call 387-7933.