Fat Cats

Here’s a twist on competitive fishing tournaments you don’t hear about every day.

It’s built around fish of a different color and a close-knit community of anglers that are truly a different breed.

It’s an energy-charged atmosphere where camaraderie runs deep.

Flat bottom rigs rule. Line sets are built for bear. Fun is the name of the game. And being labeled a “river rat” is a revered badge of honor.

Heavyweight whiskered fish will be at center stage at a couple of upcoming fishing derbies, and the fattest cats could net some serious cash and prizes. Maybe even a new fishing rig.

To wit: Neches River Life The 3rd Annual Neches River Life Big Catfish Tournament is set for April 14-15. Anglers can fish the 140-mile stretch from river from State Highway 21 south to the “The Forks” below the Sam Rayburn dam. Fish may be caught by all legal means and methods allowed for catfish — trotlines, throw lines, limb lines, jugs, rod/reel, float noodles, hand fishing, etc….. All fish must be alive at weigh-in. Catch and release is encouraged.

Entry fee is $100 per team for the big fish award. There also is a $50 side pot entry for the three biggest fish. Polygraphs will be required.

Last year’s event drew nearly 100 teams. First place won $4,500.

Tournament director David Holland says a jon boat, motor and trailer will be awarded by drawing this year, along with scholarships, awards and prizes in rod/reel events for youth and ladies. Additionally, cash prizes will be passed out for trash clean-up along the river. Weigh-in will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 58 Junction in Lufkin. For more information contact Holland, 936-366-0681 or check out the Neches River Life Facebook page.

The Op Masters April 28-30 are the dates of The Op Masters 3rd Annual Flathead Catfish Tournament, this one benefitting Megan Kelley of Lufkin. Anglers are allowed to fish any part of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, or as far up any river, creek or stream that connects to the lake, but not beyond the Dam B area. Teams are limited to 100 hooks per angler, and all legal means and methods are allowed, except catching fish by hand.

Cash prizes based on 70 percent of entry fees will be awarded for the Top 3 heaviest three-fish stringers of flathead catfish. The remaining 30 percent of entries will go to benefit Kelley, according to tournament founder, John Coats.

Commemorative belt buckles will be passed out to the winning team. There also will be side pots for the heaviest flathead and the heaviest blue catfish of the event. Additionally kids 12 and under can win cash in a “Big Polywog Contest.” The free contest will pay three places to youngsters who bring the three heaviest bullhead catfish to the scales. First place in 2022 won $4,270, custom buckles and a Garmin fish finder.

Coats says the tournament has paid out more than $16,000 during the last two years and raised close to the same amount to benefit individuals with battling medical issues.

“I lost my dad, Tom, to cancer and he loved nothing more than to fish for flathead catfish,” Coats said. “We do the tournament and benefit someone each year battling cancer in his honor.”

Entry fee for 2023 is $200 for four man teams and $50 for side pots. Winners will be required to take a polygraph. Weigh-in will begin at 1 p.m on April 30 at Shirley Creek Marina. For more info, contact Coats at 936-585-9143 or check out The Op Masters Facebook page.

April 28-30 also are the dates of the 11th Annual King of the Sabine catfish tournament on the Sabine River. For details, call 903-658-9111.

----- Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.