Saturday, February 19, 2005  The Cabela's King Kat Tournament Trail made their first stop of the season on South Carolina's Santee Cooper Lakes. Over 150 anglers were competing not only for cash and prizes, but the opportunity to qualify for the 2005 Cabela's King Kat Classic to be held on Marion/Moultrie, the Santee Cooper Lakes in September. The event was an overwhelming success with over 200 spectators merging to Blacks Camp near Cross, SC to see these anglers bring in the enormous catfish which Santee Cooper is so well known for. Even with a 7 fish limit per team, in all 8 teams weighed in over 100 pounds of catfish, many of which were over 30 and 40 pounds each. A special thanks goes out to Kevin Davis of Blacks Camp for his help in making this event successful.

 

In appreciation to the local businesses who promote South Carolina Traveler, Black's Camp and Cabela's KING KAT I would like to thank the folowing business owners for their support by placing posters and flyers at their businesses:

Anne's Bargain Bin, Beam & Son Outfitters,  Bell's Marina, Bell's Marina Restaurant, Blount's Landing, Buddy's Grocery-Eutawville,Canal One Stop, Century 21- Santee Associates, Comfort Inn, Cotton's Place, Crazy Joe's Food Mart, Cross Seafood, Dixie Auto Parts, Duncan's Grocery, Eagles Nest, Family Dollar~ Eutawville,  Fisherman's Bar & Grill, Food & Spirits Restaurant, Henry's Bait & Tackle, Howard Johnson Express Inn, Kart Shak, Jose' Performance Outboard, L & W Bait Shop, Lone Star Barbecue & Mercantile, LT"S  Restaurant & Night life, Mac's Rod & Reel Repair, Mill Creek Marina & Campground, Ned's Bait, New Beginning Video, Pete's Quick Stop, Red & White~ Cross,  Rock's Pond Campground,  Ron's Auto Repair, Safe Gate Deliverence Ministry, Santee Auto Parts, Santee Cooper Country, Santee Landing, Shoney's Santee, Siaus Garage,  SouthSide Realty, Spencer's @ Hide-a - Way Campground, Stokes Seafood & More, Stop and Shop Liquors, Super * Motel- Santee,  Cheif Parker of Town of Eutawville, The Town of Santee, Wright's Grocery, and The Yankee Clipper.

                            

Taking first place was the team of Tim Farris of Wylie, SC and John Bean of Cross, SC weighing in 173.65 pounds of fish and taking home a check for $3,150. Farris and Bean were fishing in shallow water using cut bait. Congratulations to Farris and Bean for taking first place.

In second place with 172.95 pounds was the team of Steve Shipley and Chip Hampton of Santee, SC. Shipley and Hampton took home $1,400.00 for second place along with a new MinnKota AP 55 Trolling Motor for big fish of the event weighing in at 46.85 and was caught shallow using cut bait.

Third place went to the team of Glenn Hood of Bonneau, SC and Josh Coggins of Lando, SC with a weight of 148.10 pounds and taking home $1,000.00. The team was drifting from deep to shallow water using cut bait.

Lex and Xan Costas of Daniel Island, SC took fourth place with 139.95 pounds and took home a check for $675.00.

Fifth place went to the team of Don Sweet of Monroe MI and Craig Weaver of Cross, SC weighing in 125.80 pounds and taking home $425.00.

                       Shelby's Catfish Candy award

Taking the Shelby's Catfish Candy Award was the team of Doug Allen of Bonneau, SC and Alan Spence of Manning, SC weighing in a 24.95 pound cat. The Shelby Catfish Candy Award is given to the team with the largest fish caught on Shelby's Catfish Candy. The team received a $100.00.

 

Top Twenty Teams in the event:

 

Regular Rank

Position

Team Name

Wgt.

1

 Farris, T - Bean, J

173.65

2

 Shipley, S - Hampton, C

172.95

3

 Hood, G - Coggins, J

148.10

4

 Costas, L - Costas, X

139.95

5

 Sweet, D - Weaver, C

125.80

6

 Hill, M - Hall, T

109.25

7

 Harouff, M - Walker, J

107.05

8

 Beam, S - Campbell, R

100.55

9

 Crawford, C - Driggers, A

96.15

10

 Thornhill, L - Thornhill, B

88.85

11

 Cole, N - Cole, S

75.65

12

 Hilliard, R - Smith, E

74.75

13

 Pugh, D - Pugh, S

73.55

14

 Boile, M - Whiteside, T

68.02

15

 Jones, J - Veronee, B

57.05

16

 Cherry, G - Greul, M

55.85

17

 Bowers, J - Ward, J

53.05

18

 Fund, L - Tesh, D

52.55

19

 Flowers, T - Howard, R

52.00

20

 Rorie, D - ,

50.35

 

 

                        Cabela's King Kat Kids Rodeo

Taking first place in the Cabela's King Kat Fishing Rodeo was Daniel Hinten, age 6, of Eutaw Springs, with a total of 25 fish. He was awarded a new rod and reel for his efforts.

This is Daniel's 2nd year competing in the Kid's Rodeo. Last year he won 2 Rodeo's - one being the Crappie USA at Santee State Park where he competed against 53 other kids.

 Daniel attends Mrs. Behr's Kindergarten Class at Holly Hill Elementary School.                    

 

Last years tournament results and photos can be found at: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/community/inthefield/fieldguides/guidebooks-story-1.jhtml?hierarchyId=10387&contentId=kingkat_santeecooper04&title=Cabela%27s+King+Kat+Tournament+Results+for+South+Carolina+Lakes+Marion%2FMoultrie-The+Santee+Cooper+Lakes

NATIONAL SPONSORS:

Cabela's The Worlds Foremost Outfitters, Eagle Claw, Tite-Lok Rod Holders and Fishing Accessories, Evinrude Outboards, Polar Kraft Boats-"Always hunting, always fishing", Minn Kota Trolling Motors, Hummingbird Electronics, Keelshield, Shelby's Catfish Candy, McCoy Fishing Line, Mr. Twister Knives, Abu Garcia, J.R. Madds Famous Fish Breading, Heartland Outfitters, Jeep Watches, and Keep Alive Oxygen Infusor.

 

For entry forms or information on Cabela's King Kat Trail phone 270-395-6774, fax 270-395-4381 or visit our website at www.kingkatusa.com. For media information contact Larry Crecelius at lcrecel@earthlink.net or phone 812-525-2707.

 

Cabela's King Kat Tournament Trail               Outdoor Promotions Inc.

P.O. Box 2232                                                   270-395-6774

Brentwood, TN 37024                                dvanvactor@kingkatusa.com