First Prize Fish — a $1,000 Bass — Caught In 2024 $110,000 Hot Springs Fishing Challenge
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs became the first person to land a prize fish in the 2024 $110,000 Hot Springs Fishing Challenge.
Shuffield hauled in a largemouth bass worth $1,000.
Shuffield, a regular on the national pro fishing circuit and the son of legendary FLW pro Ron Shuffield, landed the big bass at the mouth of Hot Springs Creek on Lake Hamilton using a Damiki Rig.
Spencer Shuffield had to leave town before the Visit Hot Springs Fish Patrol could meet up with him, so his good friend, Suzy Bridges, owner of the Hot Springs Alligator Farm, showed off his catch for the photo.
Lucky fishing fans have a shot at $110,000 in prizes — including $20,000 for anyone who lands Big Al — during the three-month Fishing Challenge, which ends at 5 p.m. July 31 on Lakes Hamilton and Catherine in Hot Springs.
Big Al is the grand prize fish named after Al Capone, who frequented Hot Springs in the days when the city was a haven for gangsters.
“We’re expecting more anglers to have big fun looking to land Big Al or one of the other 64 remaining prize fish that were tagged and released into Hamilton and Catherine by our partners at the Game and Fish Commission’s Andrew Hulsey Hatchery,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said. “We have Big Al worth $20,000, one fish worth $10,000, four worth $5,000, 39 remaining worth $1,000 and 20 worth $500.
“The $500 fish will double to $1,000 each during the Game and Fish Commission’s statewide Free Fishing Weekend June 7 through June 9. During that weekend everyone is invited to go fishing in Arkansas even if they don't have a fishing license.”
Arrison said the tagged fish are largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish. Each prize fish has a distinctive tag, and those who catch them are reminded not to remove the tag and to call the Visit Hot Springs Fish Phone at the phone number on the tag.
The Fine Print
The Hot Springs Fishing Challenge began at 6 a.m. May 1, 2024, and ends on July 31, 2024, at 5 p.m. Central Time. The Challenge provides anglers the opportunity to catch tagged fish that can be redeemed for cash prizes.
Eligibility: The contest is open to anyone with a valid Arkansas fishing license. (This requirement is waived the weekend of June 7 – 9.) Employees of the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at the Andrew H. Hulsey Fish Hatchery, and their immediate family members, and/or those living in the same household of each are ineligible to win a cash prize.
How It Works: Sixty-six tagged fish (total) were released in Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. The fish released are largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish. The tags will have a phone number and a prize number on them. If a fish is caught the angler must call the number and present the fish with the tag attached.
No cash prize will be awarded to any participant presenting a tagged fish that has been caught other than during the fishing period. Tags must be presented during the fishing period to be redeemed. All tagged fish must be caught in accordance with all state and local laws, codes, rules and regulations. Rules and regulations can be found at:
http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/FishingRegulations.aspx
No cash prizes will be awarded to any participant who does not comply with state and local laws, codes, rules and regulations.
Publicity Release: Each angler who catches a prize fish grants Visit Hot Springs the rights to use their name, likeness, biographical information, and photographs, without compensation, in any and all media without limitation for advertising and promotional purposes.
General Prize Conditions: Prize winners shall be solely responsible for all federal, state and/or local taxes associated with their prize.
Prize Distribution: The tagged fish will each be assigned a number. Prize money will be divided among the remaining fish as follows:
1 fish — $20,000
1 fish — $10,000
4 fish — $5,000
39 fish —$1,000
20 fish —$500 ($1,000 during Free Fishing Weekend)
Total possible prize money if all fish are caught during the contest period is $110,000.
For additional information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.