Catching the big fish

Some of the best catfish anglers in America will begin arriving in the Shoals this weekend to begin preparing for the Cabela's King Kat Classic championship fishing tournament.

Darrell VanVactor, president and CEO of the King Kat tournament trail, expects 250 anglers for the tournament on Pickwick and Wilson lakes Oct. 16-17. Weigh-ins will begin at 3 p.m. both days at Riverfront Park in Sheffield.

"Everybody likes coming to Sheffield because they know their chances of catching really big catfish are better there than at any other lake in the country," VanVactor said. "With the strong current TVA has been pulling because of the rain and the fish feeding heavily trying to get ready for winter, the catfish should be biting aggressively during the tournament. I expect to see some huge catfish caught next week."

When the King Kat Classic was held on Pickwick and Wilson lakes in 2006, the 127 teams competing in the two-event weighed in 11,469 pounds of catfish. The catch remains a record for the heaviest ever in a catfish tournament.

VanVactor said the total weight will be lower this year because the King Kat trail has reduced it's daily limit to five catfish per team. In 2006, the limit was seven fish per day.

In addition, Alabama laws now limit anglers to one catfish more than 34-inches long per day. In 2006, there were no size restrictions. King Kat teams are now limited to weighing in no more than two catfish more than 34 inches long per day, which is one per angler. VanVactor and the King Kat organization urged Alabama officials to create the laws aimed at protecting the large catfish.

"Even with the five-fish limit

and the size restrictions, we're still going to have some tremendous catches weighed in," VanVactor said. "It should be a spectacular catfish tournament."

The anglers will be competing for a share of a tournament purse of at least $60,000. The anglers catching the largest fish in the tournament will earn $1,000.

VanVactor said the anglers will share their tips for catching large catfish at Saturday's weigh-in. "Most of them are going to closed-mouthed because it's a two-day tournament and they don't want to let any of the other competitors in on their secrets, but Saturday they will be willing to talk about where they caught their fish and how they caught them."

In addition, a children's fishing rodeo will be 9-11 a.m, Saturday at Riverfront Park. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in two age groups, 0-7 and 8-12. Admission is free.

Susann Hamlin, executive director of the Colbert County Convention and Tourism Bureau, said the children's fishing event is a good opportunity for families to spend quality time together.

"It's a great way to get kids interested in fishing and the outdoors," she said. Participants will need fishing equipment and bait. The children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.