Louisville, KY – August 4, 2019 – Catfish anglers from several states will travel to Grand Rivers, KY and the Tennessee & Cumberland Rivers (Kentucky & Barkley Lakes) for a King Kat Tournament Trail event presented by Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s. Local and traveling anglers will be vying for cash, prizes, and an opportunity to compete at the 2019 King Kat Classic which will feature a guaranteed payout of $120,000 in cash and prizes.
Anglers fishing the September 21, 2019 event will be testing their catfishing skills against other anglers and whatever Mother Nature has in store.
Both Kentucky and Barkley Lakes have channel catfish and trophy blues. There are numerous bays and old creek channels for anglers to prospect. Finding bait schools is a key to finding fish. Local anglers suggest anchor fishing in areas that hold bait as productive method for catching cats. Threadfin shad is a popular bait choice.
Anglers may fish the Cumberland River from the 68/80 Bridge on the lake to the Ohio River. Anglers can also fish the Tennessee River from the 68/80 Bridge on the lake to the Ohio River. Note! The Ohio River is off limits.
There will be a $1,000 lodging bonus awarded for a lucky team that stay in a Grand Rivers Hotel.
How to Enter
Teams may consist of one or two anglers, with a third allowed if the angler is under the age of 16 or over 65 years of age. Early registration can be accomplished on the King Kat website at https://www.kingkatusa.com/Tournament_Registration.cfm. Teams may also enter by calling (502) 384-5924 or by entering at the mandatory pre-tournament seminar on the night before the tournament begins. Late entries are subject to a $25.00 late fee.
Participating anglers must be a member of the King Kat Association (KKA). Membership is $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for spouse and youth memberships. Other membership levels are outlined on the King Kat website. Each membership will include a subscription to the official publication of the King Kat Association, one of the top catfishing fishing publications in the nation.
Registration and Seminar
A pre-tournament seminar will be held the day before the tournament at Grand Rivers Community Center, 155 W. Cumberland Ave., Grand Rivers, KY 42045.
Sign up will begin at 5:00 pm. The Seminar and National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing starts at 7:00 pm local time. This seminar is open to the public. Those individuals not fishing the event are encouraged to attend and meet top catfish anglers from several different states.
The Weigh-In Site
The tournament weigh-in will be held on Saturday at Little Lake Park, Payne St.,
Grand Rivers, KY 42045 beginning at 3:00 pm. This is the perfect opportunity for non-competitors to learn how the big ones are caught. Interviews of the top 5 teams are conducted following the weigh-in.
Sponsor and Host Lodging Site
Grand Rivers Tourism Commission welcomes all King Kat anglers and their guests to the area and hopes that they take the opportunity to enjoy the local attractions.
The number of rooms in the area may be limited. It is recommended that participants make their reservations early.
Free Kids Fishing Rodeo
A FREE Catfish Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held in conjunction with the tournament. Sign up is Saturday morning Little Lake Park, the same location as weigh-in.
The event is free of charge and open to all youth 12 years old and younger. All participating children must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up is from 8:00 am until 9:00 am with fishing from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. The Fishing Rodeo is a chance for children of the area to get out and enjoy nature, do a little fishing and win some prizes. All participants are eligible for a chance to win one of six $1,000 scholarships presented by Outdoor Promotions. The scholarships are awarded annually at the Cabela’s King Kat Classic.
Outdoor Promotions and participating anglers have contributed $360,000.00 to youth scholarships since 1997. They are very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in the tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Outdoor Promotions Kids Fishing Rodeos.
The Classic Championship
This year’s Cabela’s King Kat Classic Championship will be held November 01–02, 2019 on the on the Tennessee River (Wheeler Lake) in Decatur, AL. The points race has been upgraded to $30,000 paid to the top 20 places. It features a guaranteed payout of $120,000 in cash and prizes based on competitors’ the top five finishes.
National Sponsors
Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail sponsors include: Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s, Excel Boats, Mercury Marine, Mustad Hooks, Humminbird, Minn Kota, B’n’M Poles, Gamma Line, Driftmaster Rod Holders, Ego Nets, Xtreme Bait Systems, Clear Boards, EFX Graphics, Catfish Now, Fin n’ Frames, WavePro, and Crown Trophy
For more information on the championship and other King Kat activities visit their website at www.kingkatusa.com. Anglers can also follow the trail on the King Kat Facebook Page.