In an amazing event, 248 Cabela’s King Kat Classic anglers weighed in nearly 12,000 pounds in the 2 day event.
“It was one of the most unbelievable sights that has ever been seen”, said one angler.
It was obvious that many of these anglers who came from over 20 different states had done their homework in locating these monster fish. Many of the anglers concentrated on the deep waters of Wilson Lake, fishing depths of over 100 feet.
Day 1 of the Cabela’s King Kat Classic held on Pickwick/Wilson Lakes at Sheffield, Alabama where anglers shattered all-times records with the first place team of Gregg Adkins and Scott Dole of Chillicothe, Ohio weighing in 7 catfish weighing a total of 301.65 pounds. As Gregg and Scott came to the weigh in scales at 10:30 am they knew they would take the lead, but little did they know what a massive achievement they would accomplish. In all the 124 teams fishing the event weighed in nearly 8000 pounds of fish on day 1 of the event.
On day 2 of the event the anglers were still bringing in good numbers of fish, but as the dust settled Adkins and Dole held onto their lead to take first place with a record weight of 504.75 pounds of fish. Their victory didn’t come easily with the first day’s second place team of John Jamison and Mark Thompson of Kansas nearly over taking the lead with a 2 day total weight of 490.75 pounds.
The Pickwick and Wilson Lakes at Sheffield, Alabama has always been known for their excellent fishing and have been nominated as the catfish capital of the world by the anglers of the 2006 Cabela’s King Kat Classic.
Taking first place in the 2006 Cabela’s King Kat Classic was the team of Gregg Adkins and Scott Dole of Chillicothe, Ohio. Gregg and Scott who had qualified through an Ohio Hills Catfish Club event weighed in a record breaking 2 day total of 12 fish weighing 504.75 pounds. The team also had big fish of the event with a 76.85 pound blue catfish.
In an interview Gregg and Scott said, “We had located these fish on Pickwick Lake in practice when we caught a 70 pound fish on Tuesday. There was a tree in the water that was creating a current break with baitfish and the big fish coming in to feed”.
“It was a no brainer”, said Gregg and Scott. At the Saturday night awards banquet Gregg and Scott were awarded the keys to a new Polar Kraft 2096 King Kat boat with a Suzuki 90 HP 4-stroke motor, Minn Kota trolling motor, Humminbird locater along with $2,000.00 in cash and championship cups. For capturing big fish of the event the team received a beautiful crystal plaque from McCoy Fishing Live and a gift certificate for $1,000.00 from Cabela’s, the Worlds Foremost Outfitters.
In second place was the team of John Jamison of Spring Hill, Kansas and Mark Thompson of Williamsburg, Kansas with a weight of 490.75 pounds. The team receiving a new Polar Kraft 2096 King Kat boat with a Suzuki 90 HP 4-stroke motor, Minn Kota trolling motor and a Humminbird locater. John and Mark were fishing the upper end of Wilson Lake in 92-104 feet of water vertical fishing skipjack herring with a 6 ounce weight to hold the bait in place.
Third place went to the team of Mark Farrow of Meredosia, IL and Tyson Stinebaker of Griggsville, IL with a weight of 407.85 pounds. Mark and Tyson were fishing Wilson Lake in 80 feet of water looking for any change in the bottom structure. The team received a check for $2,000.00 and also the Eagle Claw bonus award of $250.00 along with $100.00 in Eagle Claw product. This award went to the top team using Eagle Claw Nitro Baits.
Bob Reed of Warsaw, MO and Jerry Kropff of Afton, OK took fourth place with 329.00 pounds and received $1,500.00. Bob and Jerry were fishing Wilson Lake using skipjack in 80-90 feet of water.
Fifth place went to the team of James and Sara Crowe of Winder GA with a total weight of 291.10 pounds taking home $1,000.00. James and Sara were also fishing Wilson Lake using skipjack in 50-55 feet of water.
Other special awards given at Saturday night’s banquet were the 2006 National Point Champions. This award went to the team scoring the highest points at the Cabela’s King Kat events throughout the year. This year’s Points Champions was the 3 man team of Phil King and Tim Haynie of Corinth, MS and Lealon Harris of Rienzi, MS. The team received a new Polar Kraft 1886 boat with a Zieman Trailer. Receiving the KeelShield Award was the team of John and Kim Rath of Springfield, IL. The team also received the new Prologue Fishing Log system.
These teams which come from across the nation to compete in this national event proved that home water advantage does not always win out with anglers from 13 different states placing in the top 20 places. For a complete list of the standings go to www.kingkatusa.com.