Hey, I was in Austin the other day at the Austin Canoe and Kayak store picking up a few things for my kayak and overheard the staff talking about this Cats Classic at Conroe in September.

Are any of you guys fishing in this tournament?

I wasn't aware they had set a place yet?

I think you have to qualify for it... I don't think anyone from up here fished more than 1-2 events and so I doubt anyone would qualify...

Its KATS (kayak angler tournament series) actually. The Classic really holds no particular meaning or prestige as the series champion has already been decided. Its really just a fall tournament, in fact, the guys that qualify actually have to pay (again) to compete even though $10 of thier individual entry fees have been earmarked for this event....

So is this a qualification tournament...or can anyone fish in it? From what I overheard at the store...it seemed to be a big deal.

The KATS Classic is definitely a qualification tournament. To say the KATS Classic "holds no particular meaning or prestige" is really understating the importance of the event to the over 150 people who fished in one or more of the 10 KATS events this past year, and if you ask one of only 20 guys who qualified for the KATS Classic, I'm sure they would tell you that it is a very prestigious tournament and they are thrilled to have qualified for it. There were several past KATS tournament winners and KATS Anglers of the Year who did not make the Classic this year...so to say that the KATS Classic is just a "fall tournament" couldn't be further from the truth. This year was the most grueling and toughest KATS schedule yet and qualifying for the Classic was a major accomplishment...to say otherwise is crazy.

Green Fish. Check out Austin Kayak Fishing to find out all you need to know about KATS.

Conroe is an interesting choice for sure since one of the ten events was already held there during the season.

Don't get all full of yourself. True, 125 people had participated in one event or more over a 6 month period of time. Any decent bass tourney will turn out 125 contestants in one day. Saltwater kayak tourneys routinely get 100+.
Of that 125, only 28 guys competed in 5 or more tourneys and 20 of those qualified.
The Angler of the Year and King of Fish have already been decided, thus my comments.
As far as "grueling schedule" goes, this season was a cake walk compared to other kayak fishing events where the temps were as low as 20s and sustained winds of 20+mph.
Yes, it is an accomplishment to compete well but the bottom line is that its just another event.

I think more than 28 guys competed in more than 5 tourneys, zero scores means they either did not participate in a particular tournament stop or were skunked.

I find it funny that the guy who sold the tournament series is now on here belittling it and making it sound as it's not a big deal. Pretty unprofessional in my opinion. KATS has growth a lot and to most of the guys the classic is a VERY big deal. It's not decided yet as there is a 7 point difference between first and second in a 20 person field. First place could easily fall on his face T-Day and open the door.

Hooked On Kayaks....I'm sorry you are still so bitter since like 2011, but it's time to move on my friend. You should come fish more often and maybe your opinion would change.

Just a couple more things and then I'm done.

King of the Fish has not been determined yet...not sure where you heard that.

The KATS Classic is a two day event, not the usual one day KATS event and you have to have qualified to fish the Classic, anyone can fish in a KATS event during the regular season...so by it's very nature...the KATS Classic is not just another event.

I qualified for the KATS Classic and to me, it's a big deal. I put a lot of time and effort to make the events and score well enough to qualify. Trivializing The Classic is an insult to KATS and to all the anglers who hoped to finish well enough to be in it, and believe me, there were a lot more than 28 people who tried.

I'll be disappointed if The Classic is held on Conroe. I didn't much care for the lake when it was fished as a qualifying tournament and there are better lakes out the for what will be a small field, two-day event, in my opinion. Regardless of where it will be held, it's an important event and I'm honored to be a part of it.

-SSJr

I dont have any insider info but Im pretty sure its not going to be on Conroe. I doubt they were discussing the classic at the store since Kristians office is at the warehouse. If they were discussing it, it was probably to throw people off who were in the store (which is a very odd scenario). They know its supposed to be a closely guarded secret until the lake is announced. Just my opinion.

CONROE!!!!!!
Late Summer dock fishing, and a hell of alot of Recreational Boating!!!
Bring IT!!!! I'LL kick some serious booooTaaa!!!!

Wow. Interesting thread.

I stumbled across this thread in one of my google searches and had a minute so I thought I would chime in.
The Classic Location has not been set yet. We have narrowed it down to a few locations and it will be a 2 day deal.
It's going to be announced soon.
I'm sure the store guys were doing nothing but speculating, they don't have the time to head fake left and go right.

Have a super day.
Chris