Holeman sweats out big catch

Billy Holeman Jr. of Camden fretted all weekend while waiting for somebody to catch a bigger fish, but the 6.03-pound largemouth bass he caught Friday in Pine Bluff

Harbor went the distance to win the

29th Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza on Sunday on the Arkansas River.

The smallest winner since 2003, Holeman’s bass netted a $50,000 check, but it also earned additional money as the biggest bass weighed in for the hour when Holeman weighed it. Holeman caught another hourly winner that boosted his prize total to more than $51,000.

It was only the third winner to come from the Pine Bluff Pool.

“I didn’t think I’d win it down here,” Holeman said. “I figured it would come from Dumas or Dardanelle. I just wanted to win an hourly (check). We fished Pine Bluff because we live in Camden, and Pine Bluff is closest. It’s an hour and 15 minute drive.”

Holeman’s fish is the third consecutive winner to be caught on the first day of the tournament, and the fourth first-day winner in five years. Early success means a long weekend of sleepless nights and days full of worry.

“I didn’t think I’d be excited, but I haven’t slept in three days,” Holeman said. “I’m ready to get back to Camden and crash.”

Holeman, a driver for FedEx Freight, caught the fish Friday at 12:15 a.m. when he threw a junebug Z-Man worm under a dock. He used a Temple Fork Outfitters rod and 17-pound test Seguar line.

Holeman said he has never won big money in a tournament before. He said he will split the earnings with his father, William Holeman Sr.; give a portion to his church; and pay some bills.

“It feels great,” Holeman said. “It’s just me and my dad having fun. He’s 81 years old. He carried me all those years, and now I carry him.”

Holeman said the Big Bass Bonanza is a tournament anybody can win.

“If I can do it, anyone can do it,” Holeman said.

Holeman