The 8th annual Catfish Classic is only almost upon us. There are no major rules changes this year and chumming is still illegal during the 5 days prior to the tournament. See www.lakeforksa.com for other rules and details.

This is a "big fish competition" for "individual anglers". Fishing begins at 6:00am each day and fish may be weighed during any full hour between 7:00am and 2:00pm. The Hourly Payout is $400 down to $100 for the biggest catfish on Saturday and Sunday, then $5000 CASH for the biggest fish landed across the two days. Second place pays $2000 and on down to $100 for 7th place. There are also bonus checks for the top female, senior, and youth along with a special drawing for Early Entries.

The cost to enter after June 18 is $90 for one day or $130 for both. Save $10 if you enter by the 17th. Kids 12 and under fish for free with a paying adult (1 child per adult) and they are eligible for the full range of cash prizes.

Headquarters is Oak Ridge Marina. One can register on-line by credit card or print and mail the form at www.lakeforksa.com. Late registration is also available at Oak Ridge from 3:00pm to 9:00pm on Friday, the 24th or from 5:30 to 7:00 on both Saturday and Sunday morning. Cash or credit card only are accepted for late registration. Checks are ok through the 17th.

Plan to join us if you can. And be sure to buy a hand full of raffle tickets when you register.

The Catfish Classic is provided by The Lake Fork Sportsman's Association and underwritten by The Wood County Industrial Commission and City National Bank. Scotty's Magic Bait sample packs will be provided to the first 300 anglers. KMOO 99.9 is the official radio station.

What species may be entered?

Channels, Blues, and Flatheads that conform to state length regulations.

For more information and photos from last year you can find us on Facebook as "Lake Fork Catfish Classic".

awesome tournament and one the smoothest ran tournaments ive ever fished!

Catfish are full of eggs right now!

This is the last week for Early Registration. Save a few bucks and get a shot at the Early Entry Bonus by signing up at www.lakeforksa.com before the Friday deadline.

I'll be there, turn the heat down on those days please

Registered today. Have two more signing up tomorrow. Never fished this one before but we're excited to be a part of it.

We are 24 hours from the end of Early Registration and 72 hours away from the pre-tournament freeze on chumming. There is still plenty of time to save a few dollars, get in on the Early-Registration bonus drawing, and enjoy a weekend of pre-fishing. A large piece of $24,000 is at stake. Join us if you can!

Welcome, Sky. Best of luck in the Tournament.

I don't have facebook. How big was last year's winning fish?

1st Place Larry Jenkins, Daingerfield, TX 10.59 pounds
2nd Place George Hearn, Irving, TX 9.75 pounds
3rd Place Will Stroman, Emory, TX 9.56 pounds
4th Place Andrew Taylor, Emory, TX 9.47 pounds
5th Place Rick Elliott, Granbury, TX 8.93 pounds
6th Place Bobby Driskell, Grapeland, TX 8.44 pounds
7th Place Robby Richardson, Point, TX 8.39 pounds
Top Senior Ricky Blackburn, Lone Star, TX 5.83 pounds
Top Female River Miller, Kaufman, TX 5.98 pounds
Top Youth Will Stroman, Emory, TX 9.56 pounds

Never fished a tournament before. How does the weigh in work? Is there only a certain number of fish you can have at the weigh in for each day?

The scales open at 7am and close at 2pm each day. Anglers can weigh 1 fish per hour in any hour that they choose. The four biggest fish weighed by all anglers each hour are "in the money" for that hour. Angler are permitted to weigh only two money fish per day, but two can be in the money on Saturday and two more can be in the money on Sunday.

After two in-the-money fish are weighed on either day, anglers can continue fishing for a fish that might qualify as one of the two-day top 7 fish even though it will not be eligible for more hourly money. At the end of the tournament, bonus payments are made to the anglers who caught the 7 largest fish during the tournament, as well as the top female, youth, and senior (65+years).

For complete rules and payout info, go to www.lakeforksa.com.