Published: June 18, 2009 11:12 pm      

$100,000 Meridian Family of Stations and Bud Light Fishing Rodeo concludes with winner

special to the star



Your local CBS, NBC, FOX TV Stations along with Bud Light gave 47 local fisherman a chance at winning $100,000 at Mitchell Distributing last weekend in Meridian. It was all part of the grand finale to the $100,000 Meridian Family of Stations and Bud Light 2009 Fishing Rodeo. Starting March 30 through June 12 area anglers caught 47 of the 300 tagged fish in 7 area lakes as distributed by the Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries Department. Each tagged fish earned the angler a guaranteed prize provided by the Rodeo sponsors, items like fishing equipment, trolling motors, depth finders, guns, gas cards, clothing, sunglasses, and cash. Additionally, each tagged fish earned the angler one entry into the drawing for a chance at the Grand Prize of either $100,000 cash, $10,000 prize package including a Tracker Pro 16” Boat with motor and trailer or two Artic Cat 366 4x4 ATV’s, $1,000 cash, or a 10’ John Boat with trolling motor, battery and safety equipment.

The contest began with a draw down to a final contestant. All 47 contestants were entered into a bowl and names were drawn one at a time, contestants were eliminated one by one as their name was called until only a single contestant remained. That contestant was Mr. William Brooks, shown above, with tagged fish #135 caught at Okatibbee Lake. Upon being selected, Mr. Brooks proceeded to pick envelopes numbered from 1 to 40 on the prize board. In true “Deal, No Deal” style Mr. Brooks selected his numbers hoping to select five matching prize envelopes to claim his $100,000. Mike Reed, owner and manager of WGBC-TV offered several good natured attempts to buy the prize chance away from Mr. Brooks, but the contestant was not to be swayed in his mission to win big. The goal is to select five matching prize symbols. Once the contestant picks five matching symbols out of the 40 envelopes, that is the prize they have won. After picking two of the $100,000 symbols, two Tracker Boat symbols and two John Boat symbols, Mr. Brooks went on to select three more John Boat symbols to claim his prize valued at $1,000.

In all, this event provided a great opportunity for fisherman, families, and friends to gather around Mississippi’s beautiful natural resources, enjoy time out in our great outdoors and gave everyone a chance for catching that extra special fish worth a big prize.

The 2009 Fishing Rodeo was made possible through the involvement of Mitchell Distributing, Boat & ATV World, Garretts Hunting and Fishing Headquarters, Piggly Wiggly of Collinsville, Loeb’s Clothing Store, Jerome Tank Season to Season, Xpress Lane Food and Fuel, Anders Furniture, and Dollar Market.

The 2nd Annual $100,000 Fishing Rodeo will begin in March of 2010. Stay tuned!