The History of Mr. Bass of Arkansas

An Arkansas Fishing Tradition Since 1974

For more than five decades, Mr. Bass of Arkansas has been part of Arkansas bass fishing history. What began as a way to bring anglers together and promote the sport grew into a respected tournament tradition that helped shape generations of competitive bass anglers.

The story began in 1974, when Porter Everett, an Arkansas boat dealer and longtime supporter of the fishing industry, started the Mr. Bass of Arkansas tournament series. Over the years, anglers returned tournament after tournament, friendships were formed, competition grew stronger, and Mr. Bass of Arkansas became a familiar name throughout the state’s fishing community.

By 1980, Mr. Bass of Arkansas tournaments were receiving television coverage from KATV, providing a glimpse into the early years of a tournament tradition that was already becoming established in Arkansas bass fishing.

A Family Tradition

Porter’s son, Ronnie Everett, grew up around the fishing business and Mr. Bass of Arkansas. He worked alongside his father during the early years and eventually took over the tournaments in 1990, when Porter retired.

Under Ronnie’s direction, Mr. Bass of Arkansas continued to grow. He worked to bring in sponsors, increase tournament payouts and provide Arkansas anglers with an opportunity to compete at a high level close to home.

Ronnie also helped change the tournament experience itself. In 1986, he and a friend built a tournament trailer featuring a 650-gallon holding tank and covered weigh-in station—an impressive setup for its time and a reflection of the commitment being made to both the anglers and the fish brought to the scales.

After the original circuit was paused, Ronnie was encouraged to bring Mr. Bass of Arkansas back under a Pro-Am format. The renewed circuit became highly competitive and developed a reputation as a place where talented anglers could sharpen their skills before moving on to larger stages.

Where Champions Competed

Over the years, some of Arkansas’s most accomplished bass anglers competed through Mr. Bass of Arkansas.

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has recognized the circuit’s role in the development of anglers who later found success on the national level, including Mark Davis, George Cochran, Ricky Green, Ron Shuffield, Stephen Browning and Doug Garrett.

Mr. Bass of Arkansas was more than a place to win a tournament. It gave anglers an opportunity to learn how to compete, make decisions under pressure and test themselves against some of the best fishermen in the region.

For many, it became an important step in a competitive fishing career.

More Than Tournaments

The impact of Mr. Bass of Arkansas extended beyond tournament day.

During Ronnie Everett’s years of leadership, tournament payouts continued to grow. Ronnie eventually reached a personal goal of awarding more than $1 million in winnings, and during his final years directing the circuit, Mr. Bass of Arkansas also helped provide college scholarships.

His commitment to the anglers was deeply personal. When a major sponsor once failed to fulfill its obligation, Ronnie reportedly took out a loan against his own home to cover more than $10,000 in promised tournament winnings.

Ronnie directed Mr. Bass of Arkansas for more than two decades before his death on May 17, 2015. His contribution to competitive bass fishing was later recognized by the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, which honored him posthumously with its Meritorious Service Award in 2019.

The Hall of Fame recognized Mr. Bass of Arkansas as a circuit that provided an important first step for Arkansas anglers who would go on to successful professional fishing careers.

Keeping the Tradition Alive

Ronnie’s death did not bring the story of Mr. Bass of Arkansas to an end.

In the years following his passing, others within the Arkansas fishing community stepped forward to keep Mr. Bass of Arkansas going. Through their efforts, tournaments continued and the name and tradition established by Porter and Ronnie Everett remained part of Arkansas competitive bass fishing.

Their stewardship helped bridge an important period in the history of Mr. Bass of Arkansas and ensured that a tournament tradition dating back to 1974 would continue for another generation.

In 2021, Mandy Short and Trader Bill’s purchased Mr. Bass of Arkansas, beginning another chapter in its history. Under their leadership, the tournaments continued to bring anglers together on Arkansas waters while carrying forward a name that had already been part of the state’s bass fishing community for nearly five decades.

The Next Chapter

Today, Danny and Kerri Arballo, owners of Brazalo Custom Lures, carries Mr. Bass of Arkansas into its next chapter. With deep ties to the bass fishing community, they are continuing a tournament tradition that began more than 50 years ago while working to preserve its history and build its future for the next generation of anglers.

The boats, equipment and technology have changed considerably since Porter Everett started the tournaments in 1974, but the heart of Mr. Bass of Arkansas remains much the same: competition, sportsmanship, fellowship and a love of bass fishing on Arkansas waters.

The 2027 season continues that tradition with tournaments on Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton, DeGray Lake, Lake Dardanelle, Greers Ferry Lake and the Arkansas River, followed by the championship on Bull Shoals Lake.

Every launch adds another chapter to a story that began more than half a century ago.

From Porter Everett’s first tournaments in 1974, through Ronnie Everett’s decades of leadership, the individuals who kept the trail going following Ronnie’s death, the Trader Bill’s years, and now Danny & Kerri, Mr. Bass of Arkansas has endured because people who love the sport have continued to carry it forward.

For the anglers who have competed over the decades, the families and friends who have gathered at weigh-ins, and the next generation preparing to launch their boats before daylight, Mr. Bass of Arkansas represents something special:

An Arkansas fishing tradition passed from one generation to the next.

And the story isn’t finished yet.

Danny and Kerri Arballo, owners of Brazalo Custom Lures