In late fall, tournament fishermen often find a shallow pool when looking for competition. Fortunately, anglers can still count on the 16th annual Brech Marine Open to fish for a check.

The tournament, Scott Brech said, will take place Saturday, Nov. 12 from daylight until 3 p.m. at the Selma Marina.

Through the years, Brech said the tournament has seen steady growth.

“It started out kind of slow, but it has built gradually over the years,” he said. “It averages around 60 boats the last three years with two man teams, so it actually has about 120 people in it.”

Though the tournament is held in Selma, Brech said they draw participants from all over the Southeast.

“It’s about half and half,” he said. “We have good participation from locals, but we have people that come from all over the state too. We even have a guy that comes over from Georgia to fish.”

The entry fee for the tournament is $100, and includes a $10 big fish buy-in. Prizes include first place, second place and big fish. There is also a payoff for the first eight placers with a big bass pot on the side.

First place takes 32.5 percent of the entry fee, second place takes 18.5 percent, third place takes 15.5 percent, fourth place takes 11..5 percent, fifth place takes 7.5 percent, sixth place takes 6.5 percent, seventh place takes 4.5 percent and eighth place takes 3.5 percent.

Entries will be accepted up until the blast off on the day of the tournament. Entry fees are nonrefundable unless there is an emergency.

Entries can be sent with a check or money order to Brech Marine and Supply, 3049 Hwy. 80 East, Selma, 36701.

There is a 12-inch fish limit and Brech said they will observe the usual tournament rules.

“Like most tournaments we want to adhere to state and local laws,” he said. “Most tournaments have cut back to a five fish limit, but we still have seven. We adhere to most of the other basic rules though, like if the big motor is cranked up you have to have a lifejacket on. We primarily just follow the same rules as most tournaments.”

For more information, call 875-3484.