Iterested in everyones thoughts regarding hourly payouts. Do you prefer larger more top heavy payouts that reward the top bass or payouts that pay 7-10 places deep and have a little something for everyone?

ehh.. I think thats a tough question. Depends on how well you know the lake . I think youd have a better turnout for a 7-10 place payout, considering it would give more people a chance.

That settles it Mr. Ross!!!

maximized numbers right now due to the economy and cost of living increases.

Depends on the entry fee. But I would say 1-10 Place's payed .out

Assuming a fee of $100 for one day and $150 for two day Radio

I like for 1st place to take the lions share of the money.

I dont' care for paying deep in the field.

Reward the winner

Numbers

1 in 5 with last place at least being the entry fee

Top heavy. I hate when they water it down by paying too many places. However that seems to be what more people like.

The way they do it in MO is they pay 10 spots $1000 to $200. with 4 weigh ins....they also pay the big 3 for the weekend...$30k, $15k, $10k...they have over 1000 entries this last time....they say next year it will go to $50k for first!!! Big Bass Bash It's $110. for first day or $160. for both days...

do not pay a place that is not equal to or more than the entry.

You need to reward the overall winner but a deeper payout will get more entries. I like a big payout to overall 1st but limit it there and don't pay big to overall 2,3,4. Allocate that money to hourly.

Pay deeper into the field. For sure. Spread the wealth..... It covers cost and everyone is looking to do that.

I say spread the wealth but not so much that 1st is just a pat on the back.

my.02

I agree. Pay 1 in 5, 1 in 8 or 1 in 20...it don't matter. But the last check should be equal to or larger than the entry fee. If it's lower, you're paying back too many places.

Lowest place has never been less than 100

Go top heavy for sure and only pay 6 places per hour. the money paid back all the way down the line will still draw people because of the amount paid to 5th or 6th. People fish these type events with the gamble part already in the back of their minds.

I would say if your paying out for a club type tourney where there are paid members then a payout with more spots is the key as you want to keep members intrested and as posted above...never less than the entry fee....A one time or an open tourney would need a high 1st place pay out to draw contestants...my opinion

It's the later Bigg Un

any more thoughts from others?

Mark,
I fished the BBF on Lewisville. And you know what your doing. Keep up the good work.......

I fished the Berkley tourny on fork last year. And it was advertised as a ten spot per hour tourny. $500 first place every hour. It actually paid $600 per hour. I was lucky and I collected a 1st place check last year.
This year it was $500 for first place and it paid 1st thru 10th. They had the numbers and instead of increasing the hourly pay out from 1st thru. They added a 11th and a 12th spot. I think this was a good idea. Luckly I collected a 2nd place, a 4th place and a 10th place check today.
As you know, with todays economy it's hard to feild a tourny. And by adding two spots per hour that enabled another 28 anglers a chance to collect a check. So I'm all for a 1 thru 10. And if you get the numbers than you can either add to the pot or cteate more spots.

My 2 cents is to pay the hourly's deep (1-7 to 1-10). THe amounts don't have to be large. I think most of us are glad to come home with something, even if it doesn't cover all of the expenses (gas, hotel, pre-fishing cost, etc.). I concur that no check (even hourly) should pay less than the entry.

On the overall payout, frontload the heck out of it. If first place is a truck or boat, pay only the top five. Second place could fall all the way down to 10 times the entry fee ($100 entry = $1000 2nd place or $150 entry = $1500 2nd place).

To be more specific, I always like a chance at a homerun (ie- boat, truck). It is also nice not to have to hit a homerun to get a little something to help with the expenses(hourly paybacks).

Just my 2 cents,
Mark

Just keep it simple.Make sure you and your Staff are taken care of,It would be nice to pay 10 places,But I would keep it the same as you have had it.Then if you only need 400 entrys to make money and you get 800 then make payout more ,Just make sure you take care of the Customer ,So they will come back and tell 10 Friends,You guys at BBT did a Great job at Lewisville,So im sure you will have something to make it interesting.Just dont run it like another Tourny,Cause you guys at BBT made that Tournyat Lewisville alot of Fun and I think people need that in a Tourny.Just keep it Real,Texting people was Great and I think you will see alot more Enrtys since you guys proved that your Tournys are for real and not like any other.Dont forget to thank the MAN above for all things .

Great feedback/thoughts guys. Thank you!