Catfish tournaments are rapidly gaining popularity. There are currently several big tournament trail that host catfish tournaments across much of the country. Like bass tournaments back in the seventies, catfish tournaments were a little slow to catch on but in the past decade they have become well organized, well funded events. 

The first catfish tournament I fished was a big one on the Tennessee River below Pickwick Lake, The World Championship of Catfishing.  I was then editor of a magazine, there to not only compete but also cover the event for the publication, and fortunate enough to fish with Bill Dance’s catfishing buddy James Patterson (Bill was out filming, and I lucked out)!

Although Patterson and I didn’t place in the tournament, I did spend some time with the nations top catfish anglers. These guys were every bit as serious about their sport as the most devout black bass pros.

Paul Louderback, founder of The United States Catfish Association (www.catfish1.com) says that although the lion’s share of interest in catfishing is still from the individual angler, he’s watched catfish tournaments grow from small groups of friends that kicked in a few bucks for the ‘pot’ to the well publicized, high organized events they are today.  If you doubt the interest in catfishing these days, go online to www.catfish1.com and check out the hundreds of folks online, chatting and posting about all aspects of their sport. The site even has state specific boards where catfishermen can share information with others of like interest in different parts of the country.

On a more local level, there’s a huge interest in catfishing here in Texas. Michael Rogge with the 2nd Annual Yantis Catfish Classic says the local tournament held each summer at Fork has become increasingly popular.

“Last year’s event,” says Rogge, “ drew a total of 467 contestants from states as far away as Nevada and Illinois. We’re expecting upwards of 600 entries for this year’s event which is slated for July 24-25 at the Minnow Bucket Marina at Fork.”

Rogge says entry forms are well distributed through the area but folks can also download the entry form on the tournament’s web site, www.lakeforksa.com or call 903-763-2191.  

Fork catfish guide Stan Kuhn says he’s been catching lots of channel catfish up to 8 pounds in water 30-31 feet deep over holes baited with range cubes.

“Since the upcoming tournament is a big fish tourney, I think live bait (perch or gizzard shad) will be the preferred bait for the bigger blues and flatheads," tips Kuhn, "but there will be plenty of anglers fishing with prepared baits as well. Timber along creek channels at depths of 28-30 feet should be good area to target the bigger fish but I know plenty of guys that fish with prepared baits that catch catfish from shallow water year around.”

Regardless whether you are interested in fishing catfish tournaments or simply taking the kids or grandkids out for a day of fun fishing, you’re fortunate to live in a state that has some world class catfising opportunities. My advice would be to fish early and late to avoid the mid day sun and remember to carry a cooler filled with ice to keep the catfish cold, you want to keep those good eating cats in top condition for the evening fish fry!

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 American Whitetail Authority Launches Deer-Hunting Competition

The American Whitetail Authority has announced the creation of the only professional whitetail deer hunting competition in the world—the Whitetail Pro Series. By way of four regional qualifying events held throughout the country, participating hunters will earn points based on their performance in the field. The top hunters from each regional will then compete in a championship event to crown the best deer hunter in the world.

To launch this exciting endeavor, the American Whitetail Authority is searching for the country’s premier deer hunters. To find the man or woman most suited to wearing the world-champion crown, the American Whitetail Authority will send representatives across the country, a journey of more than 11,000 miles with stops at two dozen Bass Pro Shops stores, to interview applicants and search for the most respected and accomplished hunters known throughout the cities and areas they visit.

The 40 most worthy applicants, which will meet specific criteria and will be selected by the AWA, will be invited to participate in one of four designated regional Whitetail Pro Series competitions. Each regional event will host 10 hunters that will compete in a five-day deer hunt on a predetermined piece of property. The top two hunters, as determined by a formulaic-scoring system based upon the evaluations of expert judges, will move on to compete in the AWA World Championship—the winner of which will be crowned world champion.

The American Whitetail Authority will use state-of-the-art technology to carry out competitions. Each hunter will be equipped with a digital scope on their rifle and when a blank shot is fired, it will capture a digital image of the deer, crosshair placement and shot distance. At the end of each day’s competition, hunters can submit a maximum of five images of different deer for scoring. Competitors will then be ranked according to total points amassed over the multi-day event.

By using digital scopes, hunters can experience a realistic hunt without harming the deer in any way. The digital image and associated information allows hunters to record a “virtual kill” for scoring. And because no shot is actually fired and deer aren’t harvested, competitions can be held before, after or even between most states’ various hunting seasons and with the absence of harvest restrictions. 

While friendly competition and entertainment are the focus of the Whitetail Pro Series, education, conservation, ethical sportsmanship and sound management practices are the founding ideals of the American Whitetail Authority. Participating hunters will reveal successful tactics to the benefit of every hunter in America, while firearm safety, shot selection and age class of deer will all factor into the scoring formula.

Every Whitetail Pro Series event will be recorded and available for viewing on the AWA website, as will video tips and tactics from participants and industry professionals.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Greg Koch, the founder of American Whitetail Authority, please call 918-640-8070, send an email to gkoch@awapro.com or visit the AWA website at http://awapro.com. Or, stop by the Bass Pro Shop in Garland July 10 at noon and sign up in person.

Listen to Outdoors with Luke Clayton at www.catfishradio.com. Contact Luke with fishing and hunting news from your area at lukeclayton@prodigy.net