The first prize purse for the 17th Annual Greer Family Fest Fishing Tournament at Lake Robinson has been increased to $1,200 with descending cash awards for the top 10.
Larry Beheler, entering his 12th year as tournament director, told GreerToday.com the tournament is scheduled April 21 with the start at daybreak and it ends at 3 p.m. Entry fee is $130 per two-person boat. The fee includes a Friday night pre-race dinner with a speaker, a T-shirt and door prizes. The deadline to enter is April 17. The entry form is at; http://www.greerchamber.com/pdf/2012_REG_FORM.pdf
The biggest largemouth or smallmouth bass catch will earn $1,200. "Even a child can win the biggest fish prize," Beheler said. The prize money is contingent on 50 boats entering the tournament. The record was 103 boats for the catch-and-release tournament.
The tournament winner will be decided with the aggregate weight of five fish.
"We have two-person teams that have fished together for years and compete on other lakes in the upstate that feature small motor boats," Beheler said. "There are father-son teams and husband and wives. I'm expecting a good turnout since it helps support the Family Festival."
The tournament winner and big catch champion are recognized opening night at the Village Hospital Greer Family Fest. The festival is Friday May 4 6-10 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Aaron Tippin is the featured act scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Beheler said competitors will be prohibited from fishing Lake Robinson beginning Monday, April 16 until daybreak of the tournament. "That takes a lot of pressure off the lake," Beheler said. "If that many boats are on the lake during the week the fish might not bite during the tournament."
An overcast day is favored by Beheler. Others want a sunny day so there see where the brush piles are for the fish to gather Beheler said. The tournament has been stopped on one occasion. "If there's lighting during the tournament we could call it off."
Beheler said he recalled a winning team catching two fish – a 7- and 8-pounder. Fulton's Tackle Box, located at 12908 E. Wade Hampton Blvd., will conduce the weigh-in.
Greer CPW is the sponsor of the tournament.
The top 10 money prizes are:
Champion $1,200
2nd, $800
3rd, $400
4th, $300
5th, $200
6th, $100
7th $90
8th $80
9th, $70
10th, $60
Biggest catch, $800
Visit http://www.greerchamber.com/greer-family-fest/ for entry forms or call 877-3131.