Tournament in search of catfish on Missouri River

Mid-Missouri hosts King Kat Tournament Trail

A professional catfish tournament will be casting into the Missouri River on Saturday.

The Cabela's King Kat Tournament Trail will hold the day's weigh-in at 4 p.m. at the Noren Access in north Jefferson City, where spectators are welcome.

"Hopefully we'll see some monster catfish," said Chris Wilson, sports and film sales manager with the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

But fishermen will be launching by 6:30 a.m. from the north I-70 bridge west of Columbia to the Missouri 47 bridge in Washington.

Up to 75 boats, usually with two fishermen each, are expected at this first-year event, which will proceed no matter the weather.

This is a catch-and-release event. Blue Cat, Channel Cat and Flathead Cat at least 15 inches long may be weighed.

Local fishermen have been traveling to other sites for tournaments. Now, they can stay here and others may come to the Capital City, he said.

"A sanctioned catfish tournament makes sense to use the Missouri River, one of our greatest venues," Wilson said.

These professionals will share tips at a 7 p.m. seminar Friday evening at the North Jefferson City Recreation Room.

Crappie USA and Cabela's King Kat Trail also will host a Kids Fishing Rodeo 9-11 a.m. at Binder Park, west of Jefferson City.

Children ages 12 and younger may sign-up between 8-9 a.m. at the Binder Lake Deck, 1200 Binder Lake Road, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The tournament trail began in February in Manning, S.C. A total of 18 trail sites will wrap-up in October in Camden, S.C.

"With prize money, we're likely to see some mighty fine fishermen," Wilson said. "They are extremely qualified."

Link:

www.kingkatusa.com