Last winter I called an old school friend and asked him if he would be interested in coming down and fishing Crappiefest. We had gone to school together over 40yrs ago, and used to fish quiet a bit back then. BUT....as things change in life, we moved separate ways and though I continued fishing..... Ed didn't. He hadn't had a pole in his hands for years, but agreed to drive to Texas and "just fish for fun"!!! We prefished one day, I caught a spawning male crappie early and told Ed that I would keep it and mount it for him. The fish was 2.07# and beautiful. I caught 3 fish over 2# that day, but Ed was struggling. I had Ed rigged up with a drop shot rig and braid....I didn't want to be retying him continuously. I could see him get bit, but hook setting was not his shining star. The day of the tourney I told Ed we would fish until 9am. because I needed to get to the weigh in area to set up for the photos of the fisherman. Ed had forgotten his sun glasses and hat in the truck, so he was struggling at the very start with the sun coming up straight ahead. I caught several fish with the biggest at 1�# but Ed couldn't get a fish in the boat. There was a enough of a breeze to keep the boat jostling. I came to a tree and told Ed to drop in front of it and I saw his line jump as it descended so he set the hook. Ed reeled up the winning fish for 2017 and went home.......$5,000 richer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last year's Crappiefest never produced a 3# or better fish. Ed didn't care!!! We were the first guys in and Rhonda exclaimed, NICE fish as Ed raised it out of the livewell. What is it going to take to catch the winning fish this year???? Just might not take a pro angler!!!!

Wow!... Great story... I'm bringing my wife and kids to fish it...this will be a first for us.

WHAT DID ED's fish WEIGHT???

2.93lbs.

In 2016 the winner only caught 1 crappie but that 1 crappie weighed 3.20 netting him $10,000. If he would have paid the $25 to join CAT he would have walked away with another $1000. Also Donnie weighed in a 2.97 that year and took second place. Not many tournaments you weigh a 2.97 crappie and still get beat by a quarter of a pound. And we all know if Donnie Holder can catch a 2.97 then anybody that fishes Crappiefest is capable of catching the big fish.

We anglers are famously known for telling big whoppers, but the above is gosh darn true!

This may be the year we see more than one 3 pound fish. With probably 400+ entries, many of which know some big fish areas, it sure increases the odds.

Gona be a great time with ssooooooooo many stories.

Someone help me out here. Is everyone going to keep all fish they catch in hopes of weighing a "mystery weight fish"? Are you going to calibrate your scale to tournament scale so you can get the 1.25 or so on to the scale first? Do you call the weigh in if you catch a fish that may be 1.25 on your calibrated scale to see if one has come in yet? Thanks

The mystery weights are drawn at random. There are three sets of numbers, with one number being drawn from each set. If a 1 and 3 and 7 are drawn, then the fish that weighs 1.37 lb or closest to 1.37 wins.
You can weigh only one fish caught by you. So any fish has a chance to win the mystery weight.

Haven't discussed a call in number. Will take that under advisement with the Board.

Not sure if the tournament scale will be set up Friday for comparing scales.

are lie detectors used for big money winners,..??

Always!!!

Great story

The scale won't be set up for verification. The scale is certified.
There won't be a phone number available for calls, all volunteers will be busy with assigned tasks. If the weight is matched exactly, the person will win $200 minimum.

As you can see from Bill's story and Alec's story, anyone can win at any level. So you might as well enter and enjoy the fun.

We are going to fish it. No trying to be the question guy just trying to better understand the tournament. Bringing a load of greenhorns (myself included) and some kids. Never fished a tournament other than couple catfish tournaments on Belton. Never fished Fork either. We will be the "Blind Hogs" for sure!! Will be a blast I am sure, can't wait.