|
The 2005 Cabela’s King Kat Classic Tournament Results
Father and Son team crowned 2005 National Champions |
||
 Harduff and Walker also took Big Fish of the 2 day event with a 60.65 pound catfish and receiving an additional $1,000.00 for big fish.
(click on thumbnails for enlarged photo view)
Thank you to the following businesses for their support~
Not pictured- Mr. Mac's Rod -n- Reel Mr. Dan's Subs and Crossed Oars Tavern Thank you to all for you support.
In Santee the sign
|
The Big Cats were on the move at the Santee Cooper Lakes Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9th & 10th at the Cabela's King Kat National Classic Tournament hosted by Rock's Pond Campground & Marina http://www.rockspond.com As the winds from the coming Hurricane Ophilia howled in excess of 30 MPH, 147 teams from 17 different states packed the city of Santee, S.C. for the 2005 Cabela’s King Kat Classic. Teams from as for away as Nebraska, Texas and Pennsylvania came for the chance at the $55,000.00 plus purse at this years classic. Taking first place and crowned the 2005 Cabela’s King Kat Champions was the Father and Son team of Ricky Drose and 9 year old Richard Drose III from Manning, SC with a 2 day total weight of 184.60 pounds. The team was fishing the upper lake in 36 feet of water using shad to take first place in the event. The Drose team received a new Polar Kraft MV1775SE boat with a Suzuki 50 HP four stroke engine equipped with a Minn Kota trolling motor, Hummingbird electronics and a KeelShield protector. In addition the team received a Cabela’s gift certificate for $1,000.00. On hand to award the boat package to the Drose team was Jack Fouts of Polar Kraft boats who praised the team for being so dedicated to their sport. This is a team which is a true asset to the sport of catfishing and will represent the world of catfishing as true gentlemen. As Fouts ask who would receive the keys to the boat, young Richard was quick to grab the keys in anticipation of hitting the water soon with the new Polar Kraft boat package. He is currently studying for the boater’s education course which is required in many states now. Cabela’s King Kat CEO Darrell Van Vactor said, “We have many adult/youth teams in our organization which will be the future leaders in this industry and this is a tribute to the parents which work so hard to teach their children true values in life”.
In second place was the team of Mike Harduff of Monroe, NE and Jerry Walker of Gretna, NE with a weight of 179.40 pounds. Polar Kraft’s Jack Fouts awarded the team with a new MV1675SE Polar Kraft boat equipped with a Suzuki 50 HP four stroke outboard, Minn Kota trolling motor, Hummingbird electronics and a KeelShield protector. The team also received the $250.00 bonus gift certificate from Cabela’s for being the top placing team using a Cabela’s credit card. The Cabela’s bonus award is one of 3 special bonus awards given out at the classic. For big fish of the event the team received a crystal plaque from McCoy Fishing Line to commemorate the event.
Third place went to Scott Hrbek of Bellevue, NE and Rick Walker of North Charleston, SC with 170.75 pound and receiving $4,000.00 for third place. The team was using a variety of cut baits to catch their fish. In addition the team won the Minn Kota bonus award for being the top place team using a Minn Kota trolling motor. Each member received a certificate for $300.00 for the bonus.
Doreen Smith of Stigler, OK and Chris Taylor of Pocola, OK took fourth place with a weight of 163.40 pound and receiving $3,000.00. Stigler and Taylor were fishing the dam area in 31 feet of water using cut shad. The team also received the Eagle Claw bonus award for being the top team using Eagle Claws Nitro bait during the event. The team received $200.00 in Eagle Claw product along with $250.00 from Eagle Claw.
Taking fifth place was the team of Wayne Loftin of Richmond, MO and Jon Young of Rocheport, MO weighing in a total of 132.90 pounds using a variety of cut baits on Lake Moultrie. The team received a check for $2,500.00 for fifth place.
In all over $55,000.00 went to the top 21 teams in the classic, plus a bonus going to the first team out of the money receiving a KeelShield protector. The crowd of several hundred spectators was pleasantly surprised by Tournament Director Richard Williams as he gave out several prizes to spectators along with 2 guided fishing trips on Kentucky Lake. The weigh-in each day which was held at Rocks Pond Campground and Marina was an overwhelming success, with a special thanks to Larry Rawlins and his crew at Rocks Pond. Many National Sponsors were in attendance at this year’s classic including Jack Fouts of Polar Kraft, JB and Donald Scott of Eagle Claw, David Lane and Bill Vance of L & S Marine bringing several Polar Kraft boats to the event.
Cabela's KING KAT is in it's 3rd year. At each of the Cabela's King Kat events, Cabela's holds a special King Kat Kids event to help young anglers learn more about fishing and to just let them get a chance to get out and enjoy nature and the great outdoors. All the participants became eligible for a chance to win one of 4- $ 5000.00 scholarships. Young anglers are allowed to catch any species of fish, any size. In the Cabela's King Kat Kids event Daniel Hinten, of Eutaw Springs, age 6, took first place in the 7 and under division winning with a catch of 13 fish. Daniel was fishing with red worms around brush. This was Daniel's 4th Cabela's Kid's Rodeo Tournament win. Daniel attends Mrs. Grants Holly Hill Elementary 1st grade class.
Daniel Hinten Cabela's KING KAT Rodeo Winner Second Place in the younger division went to Dylan McWilliams with 3 fish. Dylan was also fishing with worms around the edge of the Youth Fishing Pond. Vice President, Cabela's KING KAT, Mr. Perry, assisted Dylan helping him get the feel of the fish biting on his worm.
Dylan McWilliams and Mr. Perry
Dylan McWilliams
The older division 7- 12 ended with a tie for 1st Place. Taylor Rawlins, of Rock's Pond, and Taran Trudeau both caught 17 fish on worms. Taylor challenged Taran to a fish off to name only one winner, but the Tournament Director, announced both were 1st Place Winners with the presentation of new fishing poles.
Taran Trudeau, left, and Taylor Rawlins, right, tied for 1st Place in the older division with each catching 17 fish.
From left to right: Front: Daniel Hinten, 1st Place- 13 fish. Dylan McWilliams. 2nd Place- 3 fish. Back: Taylor Rawlins, 1st Place 17 fish. Trent Trudeau, 1st Place 17 fish, and Taran Trudeau, 2nd Place- 9 fish.
A special thanks to Santee Cooper Country, Bob Peebles of Howard Johnson's Santee, Smith's Chevron and Coasters in Santee, and the Eutawville area businesses, Signs by Bill, Mac's Rod-n-Reel, Mel's Ice Cream Dock, Buddy's, Mr. Dan's Subs, Hot Dogs, & Pizzas & Crossed Oars Tavern, The Alpine & Budweiser for their support in the tournament. Darlene VanHook, Cendia & Larry Rawlins, Terry Godbee and Staff of Rock's Pond Campground & Marina did a fantastic job transporting the anglers from their vehicles or boats with golf carts ensuring the quick release of the catfish back into the lake. Ms. Cathy in the restaurant was truly appreciated for her early morning service of coffee and breakfast foods.
In attendance at this year’s classic was Carole Hinten of the South Carolina Traveler/ Carolina Outside Magazine. Carolina Outside MAGAZINE http://www.carolinaoutside.com is a monthly publication targeting the outdoor recreationists that visit South Carolina, the outdoor recreationists that reside in South Carolina and the Industry that serves them. Carolina Outside is printed on newsprint and owned by Mid-South Management of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Carolina Outside is about the people, places, traditions and events associated with outdoor recreation in South Carolina. Our columnists put readers in the action with expert opinions, photos and articles on what’s popular outside. Carolina Outside readers are part of a group that spends in excess of $850 million dollars in South Carolina on hunting and fishing alone. Carolina Outside is available for at over 600 retail locations throughout the state of South Carolina, our advertisers, industry related functions, selected convention bureaus, visitor centers and Chambers of Commerce. Other special guest were well-known outdoor writer Pat Robertson, Don and Victoria Sweet, Ron and Pam Moore of Visual Films which filmed the entire event. Also a thanks to Robert Wood for his knowledge of the lake and use of his boat to help in the on the water filming of the event.
Santee Cooper Lakes is the top catfish lake in the nation and very fitting for such a major event. Plans are being made to return to Santee Cooper Lakes next spring for another qualifying event.
NATIONAL SPONSORS are Cabela’s The Worlds Foremost Outfitter, Eagle Claw, Tite-Lok Rod Holders and Fishing Accessories, Evinrude Outboards, Martindale Chevrolet, “The Official Vehicle of Cabela’s King Kat Trail”, Polar Kraft Boats-“Always hunting, always fishing”, Zieman Trailers, Food Source Lures, Minn Kota Trolling Motors, Heartland Outfitters, Jeep Watches, KeelShield, Shelby’s Catfish Candy, Hummingbird Electronics, McCoy Fishing Line, Mr. Twister Knives, Abu Garcia, J.R. Madds Famous Fish Breading, Prop Lite and Keep Alive Oxygen Infusor.
Photo's by~ Carole Lee Hinten, Freelance Writer, South Carolina Traveler / Carolina Outside Magazine
|
|
