King cat trail coming back 2-17. Expect 45 MPH north winds that weekend

Sounds great. I learned all the things not to do in those winds last year. I'll start figuring out where I'm going to put my trophy.

Probably pass on this one this year. Last year was high $300 entry for a shot at about 3500. This year it's really high $395. That would be ok if it was a 2 day, Or if the payout was better.

dang that's a hefty increase plus a room / gas / food / license / and driving all over hell & back...who's in??

where did you see 395.00 ?

Check cabelas king Kat website. It's actually 405 if you don't pre register.
300 entry
30 per membership
20 big fish
25 late registere

Oh OK so they went up a hundred on the entry ?

Yes sir. May be it's a typo..... but I seriously doubt it.

I doubt it also. Only thing that has not gone up is wages !

Dang!!! $395...woo-wee...

I remember when it was $250 not that long ago.

If trlrman is cooking steak the night before the tourney, i will slip down from Oklahoma and donate my money. Think this will make year 6 for us. We look forward to Cabelas weekend every year!

Might have to be baloney this year Matt ! I look forward to the time spent with great friends.

Are they trying to kill the tournament or make it bigger? What a joke, they already get 6 or 7k from the city....now they are going to up the entry fee? I doubt they even add it to the payout... I wish the chamber would give the $ to a local guy and let him get something going like the Possum Kingdom tournament. It's a shame you can get 120 boats on Possum Kingdom with over 30k cash given away but "Cabelas" comes to Tawakoni and you have 40 boats with maybe 7k given away. I have personally fished this tournament 6 or 7 times now but im thinking about opting out this year!

Probably not but I like to bitch........

Well said!

Jerry you should get with the chamber and submit a proposal. A few years ago Kody's Papa from this forum helped me out and I was able to submit an offer when I was running tournaments. I offered to pay out their $ 100% and only take 20% of the entry fees, I was turned down because they like the "cabelas" brand in town. However I think at this point they have realized it's not going to get any bigger with them jokers running the show! So you might have a shot....

That is a big entry fee.

I retired from the city six years ago. Our Economic Development Corporation started the tournament several years ago as we had a goal to attract a national hotel chain (they ended up in Emory). The budget for the sales tax fund was $4,000 to cabelas and we had national exposure through their tournament magazine, websites, and back then, a tv show about catfishing. I don't know what the EDC paid this year but it has been $4,000 As of last year.
With no national hotel brand and no national food franchises, it is very difficult for the EDC to recover that investment. We know the tournament has brought people here who would not have come otherwise and the lake still holds the King Kat weigh in record of 213 pounds.
If smoky or any other tournament director has a better idea, I encourage you to contact the EDC and find out when a proposal needs to be submitted
A few local guides have managed to monetize the catfish population here, but so far, no one else has
Never fished the tournament, rather be chasing crappie in february

$395 guess they�re pushing us local poor fisherman out of it I say we boycott it and start are own tournament lol

Thank you kodys papa. That is valuable information.

I'm hoping someone steps up and puts on a good tournament in the near future.

Ok so after my tournament partner flakes out on me for bora bora and his honey moon , I have decided a battle tested veteran is what I need ! I am proud to team up with my newly retired 20 year plus nephew .Glad to have him home !

I already made my reservation at Shoestring Farms B&B. You better get a spot while you can!

Well we wont worry about Txmedic....anyone staying at Ms. Patty's for that breakfast extravaganza wont be worth a flip for days but yet we stay thee most every time

Saw something this weekend that didn�t make sense to me.
Some Oklahoma guys that are supposedly fishing cabelas had a fifty and maybe the new youth record keeping the fish in a tank with no water Sunday. Kept some big ones a couple of weeks ago too. I would think they would at least cpr till after the tourney.

Oklahoma Boys and CPR usually aren't used in the same sentence TOM

Why them dirty rotten, two timin, pole-smokin, crocodile urine drinkin, fried okra eatin, bat turd bathin Bastards!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hang in there Tom pardner!!!!!!!!

And I gotta miss this thing but it is what it is you know what I mean... Stuff happens.... But so far,

I got me a new Tournament transom...


And some new custom tournament Monster Kitty Livewells...


But I just still don�t have my new tournament engine yet... Oh... and I�m riding a huge wave at work right now!!!!!!!! [censored]!!!!!!!!!
Optimus Prime is still down!!!!!!!! I repeat Optimus Prime is still down!!!!!!!!
Bumblebeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lookin pretty slick there Buddy!!

Man Down!! Prime is out of action during peak season
Call in the Autobots


Now back to them oklahoma boys...... Here is some ok boys on you guy's lake

I was planning on fishing this event with my brother and I blew a powerhead on my Optimax. My brother didn't think I would be back in service in time so he decided to work that Saturday and take off next Saturday to fish with Tom. I just ordered a new Honda outboard and should be back on the water in time. Now I just have to decide whether to skip the tournament or find another partner.

I was gonna get in on this one for the first time, but they scheduled the same weekend we do our Sabine River Sand bass trip. Our cabin is booked up with no hope of pushing those dates, so it looks like it won't happen this year either.

excellent choice on the Honda ! The most reliable and fuel efficient motor I ever ran !!!

Welcome to the Honda family I really enjoy my Hondas.

And I know this isn�t the thread, but it�s done been derailed anyways!!! How did you make your decision so quick Nick??? I can�t figure out which engine to get right now... Honda, Yamaha 4 stroke, Yamaha Vmax Sho 4 stroke or the new Evinrude G2 HO 2 stroke... That dern G2 is calling my name and seems bad to the bone!!! It has 239 less moving parts than the 4 stroke, multiple color choice, 10 year warranty, and no scheduled maintenance for 500 hours... They say it even gets better fuel economy and the oil tank is in the engine compartment instead of in your boat... Plus, Imma bout worn out with dealing with these Yamaha dealers...

We buddys Serj!!!!

I have been doing research for a long time. Actually before I bought my current boat. I had a 4 stroke on my previous boat and didn't want to go to a 2 stroke, but I got a great deal on my boat and just took the motor that was on it until this day eventually came. Then I found a Honda outboard dealer and service department 3 miles from my house that beat everyone else's prices by a long shot. They have been selling and servicing them for 8 years and have yet to have to do anything other than the regular scheduled maintenance. Plus I wanted to have the same motor that my wife has in her Honda Odyssey so we could have that in common. Start researching Honda outboards and try to find a single negative comment other than the ditch pickle fisherman saying that they can't run 80 mph with a Honda. Rick, you and I are never going anywhere close to 80 in our floating tanks.

Ok Nick I�ll give em a better lookin at... I got my new fuel tank installed this weekend and I�m gettin closer every day but you talk about a lotta work. I still gotta patch up the console, re-install all my trolling motor batteries and charger and all of my engine / operating batteries and chargers... then re run new fishfinder cables and remount my 360. Then I might be ready...





Oh, and if these Yamaha dealers keep thinking they are so good they can make a 10 to 20 thousand dollar profit off a plug and play 8 to 10 hour install, they can kiss my [censored]... LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whewwwwwwwwwww Sonny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

let's put some things straight here #1 that 50 was re-netted after failing to go down after burping then worked with for 45 minutes to an hour before she died . The new youth record was released and swam away after weighing then the paperwork was done .I know these folks and they do not kill big fish !!! 2nd ,even if they wanted to take the fish home unless the laws have changed you are still allowed 2 over 30 inches. Not any of my business or anybody else's what a guy does with his catch as long is he is legal. Sorry to butt in here but maybe the witch hunt can be called off now.I figure this is why a lot of old members do not come around any more and my post will sure be a lot fewer so I don't offend anyone .

Yep I have an apology to make to this gentleman!! First off I would like to congratulate the upcoming new youth record holder!!! The Fish that died was unable to be revived even after working and burping with him.
The record Fish was released to fight another day.
My original intent was just stirring the pot between Texas and Oklahoma but I guess this cpr debate is more personal than I thought. I believe in cpr but if you choose its your choice to keep what�s legal!!!

It�s just Twok pardners!!!!!!!!!!!! And it�s war at all times when your on that place!!!!!!! Good Luck out there!!! Prime...

Prime i must re-buttle and see your 3 and raise ya one!!

and
and maybe

Now for the kicker

LMAO!!! fish on !!

It cost me 320 to register..my first tournament...hi guys first post in awhile

Ok here we go......straight from the king-cat tournament website 2018
It says the following:

Affordable.
$200.00 allows a team of two to compete on a National level in our Local qualifier events. This draws more family competitors and also brings in competitors that otherwise would not compete in tournament fishing. We further encourage family involvement by allowing a third person on the team who is under 16 or over 65 at no charge.


Here is the entry costs...
Super Event Late Fee $25.00
CKK Classic $500.00
Local Event $300.00
Local Event Late Fee $25.00
CKK Classic Late Fee $25.00
Super Event $350.00
Big Fish Pot $20.00


Uh i dont see anything for 200.00 dollars? They should be held to the family atmosphere " affordable" entry fee...




or am i crazy???

don't forget the membership fee for each contestant .

It's not the entry fee that gets me! I would rather see a 2-300 entry fee as opposed to $100. But when i'm entering a tournament with a 2-300 entry fee I expect first place to be more than $3000!

I was planning on fishing this, but it's up in the air now. My new outboard was already supposed to be installed and they haven't even started yet. My tournament partner just told me that he doesn't have enough money to go fishing let alone fish the tourney and will be working all week instead.

Roller coaster continues... Hot Thursday, big wind Friday and Saturday?

I'm just going to throw this out there in case someone is interested. I'm going to be in town (Athens) this weekend and don't have any other commitments so here we go....

I think it would be fun to fish this tournament but there are a few things preventing it.
1. The entry fee is steep
2. My Triton is being re-powered, Michael has guide trips with our big blazer, and I only have access to our 21' Blazer
3. My brother and dad cant fish it with me

However, I would love to fish this thing with someone under these terms if possible:

I will provide:

The boat, fuel, all tackle, bait, enough knowledge of Tawakoni to enjoy a safe day on the lake and most likely catch some nice fish

You provide:

All entry fee/registration $ and a good attitude

If we win any prize money we split the pot down the middle. I am a licensed guide and own a guide service on Lake Livingston (Lake Livingston Adventures) that my brother operates. I have been doing it part time for about 8 years.
I'm pretty new to trophy catfishing but have been chasing Texas freshwater species most of my life and catch on to patterns and techniques relatively quick. If anyone is interested please send me a PM. Thanks

If I hadn't already picked up a partner I would jump on this. Someone will get to fish the tournament and learn a ton about chasing trophies for less than the price of most guided trips.

Disregard. Partner #2 just backed out on me too.

[quote=OPTIMUS PRIME]

Ok Nick I�ll give em a better lookin at... I got my new fuel tank installed this weekend and I�m gettin closer every day but you talk about a lotta work. I still gotta patch up the console, re-install all my trolling motor batteries and charger and all of my engine / operating batteries and chargers... then re run new fishfinder cables and remount my 360. Then I might be ready...



Ahh the joys of boat ownership!!
I was cursing my boat for 1.5 years before I finally got it running great again.. And now I love my baby!!!!"I pet it and stroke it coochie coochie coo!!!!!"..lol!!! You know what I'm sayin Rick!!!!..lol!!!

Big cold front coming thru Arkansas on friday dropping temps from 74* to 40 dont know how far south but with that much drop there has gotta be a big wind behind it

Winds on Wednesday-Friday forecast 15-25
Saturday 5-10 north wind
Today is the only day I will head out chasing crappie or checking the boat slip

Temp drops down into 40's saturday too, should make it interesting. Right in middle of a front Good luck to all that fish! Hoping someone from Texas wins it this year SHEESH!

Woo-wee...gonna be a WET N� COLD one sat...here is a tip for staying dry...

Wear PVC, not ur high dollar gore Tex stuff...and wear ur mucks!

Good luck all and hope the lake record falls!!!

You need a bait license...

I thought about it. I love catching gizzards!

Dang that's a heck of a net of shad. Was that at two? Recently?

Meant tawakoni not two

It was at Lake o' the Pines today. I didn't want to throw for deep shad in the 20 mph winds we will have the next couple days on Twok.

If Friday counts as the weekend, it was close to 45 mph this morning

Supposed to rain tomorrow morning and clear by noon. Weigh in is at 4 at city park

My Fitbit showed me doing 43 flights of stairs yesterday. Lol

160ish won it, 50 boats entered, big fish was 63 or so...

181 won it.

Yeah, it looks like a Kansas team with 181 won it and there was a bunch of great folk from Texas in the top 20!!! Ole Steve and Travis just almost pulled that thing off with a 167 lbs too!!!! They got 2nd and had Big Fish that went 63 lbs!!! Toad of a tournament fish!!! Thats my SteveEEEEEE and Trav Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!

Thanks Rick. Had a good tournament.. Was a fun day of fishing could have done without the rain but at least there was no lightning and everyone was safe.