A unique fishing tournament that turns everyday casts into potential cash payouts is returning to the Santee Cooper lakes this spring—bigger, longer, and with more chances to win.
Bonus Bass, a tagged-fish tournament created by Kyle Jenkins, will run Feb. 19 through May 31 across Lakes Marion and Moultrie, with a new addition this year: Lake Murray. The 2026 season stretches 102 days, up from about 90 last year, and features 400 tagged largemouth bass between the two fisheries.
“It gives people the freedom to fish when they want, how they want,” Jenkins said. “You don’t need a $100,000 bass boat to win $25,000.”
The tournament works by tagging bass with small plastic identification markers, similar to retail price tags, each stamped with a serial number and contact information. Jenkins and volunteers tag and release fish throughout the lakes ahead of and during the season. Registered anglers who catch a tagged bass can turn it in for a daily cash bonus that starts at $100 and increases each day a fish goes uncaught.
In total, more than $10,000 in daily bonuses will be paid out, along with more than $4,000 in gift cards and gear from sponsors. One tagged bass carries the potential for a $25,000 grand bonus.
At the end of the season, anglers who turned in tags are entered for the grand prize drawing, which is managed through a third-party insured promotion. One serial number is pre-selected and sealed at the beginning of the season. If that tag is among the fish caught, the angler wins the $25,000 prize.
“What I love about it is even a small bass can change your whole season,” Jenkins said. “That pound-and-a-half fish could be worth more than most tournaments around here.”
WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR
Several changes are expected to broaden the tournament’s reach in 2026.
The biggest expansion is the addition of Lake Murray, where 200 bass will be tagged alongside 200 in Santee Cooper. Registration covers both lakes, giving anglers more opportunities—especially those traveling or fishing with guides.
The tournament has also added weekly “Treasure Tuesday” bonuses. Each Tuesday, sponsor prizes such as gift cards, gear, or overnight stays at Relaxed Retreat will be added to the growing daily pot.
“If it goes a couple weeks without a fish being caught, you could be looking at a pot with multiple gift cards plus over $1,000 in cash,” Jenkins said. “It all rolls until someone turns in a tag.”
New registration options have also been introduced. In addition to the standard $100 season-long registration, anglers can purchase a $25 single-day pass—aimed at visitors and guided anglers—and a $250 family pass covering parents and children under 18. An optional “Bonus Bucks” add-on costs $49.99 and adds $300 to the payout for any tagged fish caught by that angler.
Bonus Bucks also applies to leftover tagged fish from last year’s tournament that remain in the lakes.
OPEN TO EVERYONE
Jenkins said the goal has always been accessibility.
Last year, anglers caught tagged fish from docks, shorelines, kayaks, and boats. One angler won $2,700 fishing from a dock—an amount Jenkins said rivals many traditional bass tournaments.
“It makes even a fun fishing day intense,” he said. “When every fish could be worth money, you handle them differently.”
Registration is open to anglers of all ages and skill levels, but participants must be registered before hooking a tagged fish to be eligible for prizes.
JANUARY OPEN TOURNAMENT
Bonus Bass will also host a one-day open tournament on Saturday, Jan. 24, based out of Relaxed Retreat. The $100 entry tournament features 100 percent payback and will help stock the lakes with tagged bass ahead of the main event.
Registration begins at 7 a.m., with takeoff at 8 a.m. and check-in at 3 p.m.
HOW TO REGISTER
Anglers can register online at www.BonusBass.com or in person at Relaxed Retreat on Lake Marion and JC’s Outdoors on Lake Murray. Rules, daily bonus updates, and sponsor information are also available online and on the Bonus Bass Facebook page.
“Even if you’re just going fishing for the day, every cast becomes a chance,” Jenkins said. “That’s what makes it fun.”
