COLUMBIA, S.C. (February 16, 2015) - There's always a buzz in the arena at the final Bassmaster Classic weigh-in. Hoards of fans come to see the nations very best anglers compete for the Classic title and $300,000 winner's purse.
What most of the fans don't know is that there is a chance that their name could be called for the Berkley PowerBait Cast for Cash contest and its $100,000 top prize. The contest is simple. A single contestant is randomly drawn and provided the opportunity to make one cast to a target inside a giant fish's mouth.
Berkley lets the contestant choose between casting, spinning or spincast equipment, and each year legendary angling professional Hank Parker conducts a private casting lesson backstage. Parker, 1979 and 1989 Bassmaster Classic Champion, gives the lucky angler tips to better prepare them for the chance at the hefty prize.
It sounds so simple except for the pressure of making that cast in front of an electrified crowd of thousands.
In all the years Berkley has hosted the contest no one has won the $100,000 prize, but all contestants have not walked away empty handed. Berkley has awarded every contestant with a big surprise if the first cast did not connect. In addition, just for being chosen Berkley has given the fan $5,000 and a nice amount of fishing gear to match. Not a bad deal for just showing up to the final day of weigh in at the Bassmaster Classic.
There have been many close calls and a multitude of skilled and unskilled anglers that have included an Alabama firefighter, Wisconsin college student and a Missouri X-ray Technician just to name a few.
"At Berkley, we look forward to this event each year," said Chris Hockley, Berkley Brand Marketing Manager. "It isn't often we get to possibly reward someone with $100,000 or get them on the biggest stage in bass fishing. It is a big rush to be in front of thousands of screaming fans, walking in the footsteps of Classic champions past. The crowd alone makes the ride around the stadium worth it, but to have a shot at a big prize isn't bad either."
These contestants weren't expecting for their name to be called, but when the time came they stepped up to the challenge.
There is no entry form or fee that needs to be filed. All it takes is showing up to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on February 22nd around 3 p.m. ET for your shot at the Berkley PowerBait Cast for Cash. The decision could make your day $100,000 better.