For the car toppers, we pay out 3 places with 10 or more boats, 2 places for 9 boats or less. The 1st thing thats done is $50 comes out off the top. That's the lunker prize. Thats how it was done by the guys who ran it previously and we just kept it that way. After that the remaining pot is divided 60% for 1st 25% for 2nd and 15% for 3rd.
For example with 10 boats we would have a pot of $500. take out $50 for lunker and you are left with $450. 1st place would be $270, 2nd $112.50 and 3rd $67.50
When we pay out just 2 places its a 70% -30% split after lunker is taken out
I do not know how the big boat trail does it this year but last year it was the same as what I am posting now.