November 12th and 13th the Cabela's King Kat Tournament Trail held their annual classic on the waters of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterwayat Columbus, Mississippi. Anglers from 17 states were competing for over $70,000.00 and paying back 12 places.
Taking first place was the Corinth, Mississippi team of David Shipman and Jackie Cooksey with an overwhelming weight of 229.1 pounds. David and Jackie were fishing near the dam at Aberdeen using skipjack in a very creative method. The team used balloons to float their bait up to the dam and as the bait got into position popping the balloon and allowing the bait to sink to the bottom. This worked well for the team by bringing in a heavy enough weight to win by nearly 150 pounds. They also caught the Monster Cat Big Fish of the tournament with a 49.75 pound blue that they weighed in on the first day of competition and earning them $1000.00. They only weighed in 8 fish out of a possible 10 fish allowed for the two days. David and Jackie received a new 2072 V-pro SeaArk Boat and Trailer w/ 90HP Evinrude outboard, 80lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor and a Humminbird Matrix 12 for first place in the Cabela's King Kat USA Classic.
In second place was the Akron, Ohio team of Christina Jones along with Skip and Rainy Martin weighing in a 2-day total of 80.4 pounds and taking home a 18ft. SeaArk Boat and Trailer with a 75HP Evinrude outboard, 70lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor and a Humminbird Matrix 12. Skip and Christina were fishing Lake Aliceville in 40-44 feet of water anchoring up and trolling using skipjack. The team caught 10-12 keeper fish in the 2-days of competition. The team was setting in 2nd place after day 1, by catching a 33.35 pound blue. They also were the highest placing team with a youth receiving a $500.00 saving bond from Ron Gooding Insurance and a $50.00 Cabela's gift card.
Third place went to the West Point, Mississippi team of Doug and Theresa Jolly weighing in 60.4 pounds and earning $2,500.00. The team fished Columbus Lake on day 1 and Aliceville Lake on day 2 anchoring up and using skipjack. They caught 10 keeper fish for the two days.
Jerry and Brian Pounders of Caledonia, Mississippi took fourth place with 54.05 pounds and earning $1,200.00. Jerry and Brian targeted creeks below the Columbus dam in 15-30 feet of water using live shad. The team brought in 5 flatheads on day 1 putting them in 3rd place. On day two they went for broke, but were not able to catch any fish with in the legal limit.
Fifth place went to the 3 person team of Mike and Jackson Mitchell of Albertville, Alabama along with Richard Woodruff of Russellville, Alabama with a weight of 48.7 pounds and earning $1,000.00. Mike, Jackson and Richard fished Lake Aliceville targeting 20-40feet of water using skipjack. The team said they used every technique that they knew.
Mark Farrow and Jerry Cline II were awarded the "Rippin Lips Team of the Year Award". They received a Rippin Lips sponsorship that will include a boat wrap, 5 comped entries to 2011, clothing package, and a $400.00 Cabela's gift card. They were the first team in the history of the trail to win back to back events, and the first team ever to win 3 events in 1 year. They had a total of 490 points out of a possible 500. Second place in the points race went to the Monster Rod Holder Team of Steve and Lisa Douglas. This is the second year in a row that Steve has finished in 2nd place in the points race. They also received a $100.00 Cabela's gift card. We would like to thank the Columbus/Lowndes County CVB for sponsoring the event as this was the first ever major catfishing event held in the area. Gwen Granderson was on hand to welcome the fisherman from the CVB. Also, Dennis Coons and Aaron Nicholson from Rippin Lips were on hand to present the points race awards. James and Janet Fox of McArthur, Ohio were the winners of the drawing for the 16ft SeaArk Boat and Trailer.
NATIONAL SPONSORS:
Cabela's The World's Foremost Outfitter, SeaArk Boats, Rebel Yell Bourbon, Rippin Lips, Evinrude Outboards, Monster Rod Holders, Energy-Mate by Acli-Mate Formulations The Official Energy Drink of Cabela's King Kat Tournament Trail", Fishmate Pro Livewells, Adventure Products EGO Nets, Fling Cast Nets, Humminbird Electronics, Minn Kota Trolling Motors, Vicious Fishing Line, J.R. Mad's Famous Fish Breading, Monster Cats, WFN-World Fishing Network, United States Catfish Association and Ron Gooding Insurance.
The following companies have furnished product to make your tournaments possible: Keep Alive Oxygen Infusor, Akwa-Lung, The Rod Shop and Tangling With Catfish.
No comments:
Post a Comment