TN Catfish tourneys?

[Etoncathunter]

I've been looking on here for several months now and seems like something I never see are catfish tournaments. I see plenty on here for green fish, but I don't recon I've ever seen one for cats. Are there not any trail, or even single tournaments for cats in the area? Considering the potential in the Tn river system I can't believe there aren't any. I'm currently fishing the Hilljack trail out of Columbus, Ga. It is great fun, but you know it would be real nice to find something that didn't entail a 7hr round trip. It would be nice to find something closer to home. If anyone knows anything give me a shout please.

 

[machinekiller]

i have been thinking the same mabey we should do something about it,i got 20 spot

 

[Etoncathunter]

wow, figured there would be something out there.

 

[SpurHunter]

The issue around here in my opinion is the detrimental effect TX fishing has on a target species. The level of awareness here with trophy catters is pretty high. I for one, dont want to put undue stress on a giant blue cat by hauling it around the lake in a tank all day to try and win some money.

If your interested in a picture only TX and basically no or very low money prizes, (who would cheat to win $50?) then some might be interested.

 

[machinekiller]

excuse my ignorance,but how is cats any differnt than any other fish.cats seem to live longer out of water than any other species,just like other fish,twra has a size requirement,what is trophy size,34 inchs.besides that i dont think there would b 30 boats,5 times a week,stressing fish like other tx.i dont want fish to die 4 no reason,as 4 all fish that die after tx,someone should donate them to the soup kitchen,lots of homless would b grateful. someone educate me on how a cat tx is any differnt

 

[Buoy-Master]

machinekiller - 7/17/2012 1:39 PM excuse my ignorance,but how is cats any differnt than any other fish.cats seem to live longer out of water than any other species,just like other fish,twra has a size requirement,what is trophy size,34 inchs.besides that i dont think there would b 30 boats,5 times a week,stressing fish like other tx.i dont want fish to die 4 no reason,as 4 all fish that die after tx,someone should donate them to the soup kitchen,lots of homless would b grateful. someone educate me on how a cat tx is any differnt

</p>

Even though alot of the fish are released alive, our state game wardens have done surveys and have determined that 40% of the fish end up dying. (during hot summer months) Theres a comment on a thread about that. Just because they swim away doesnt mean they live for long. Hard to donate those fish. </p>

I'd like to see a Photo release type trail...even if it was just Cats. </p>

 

[SpurHunter]

<div>

machinekiller - 7/17/2012 10:39 AM excuse my ignorance,but how is cats any differnt than any other fish.cats seem to live longer out of water than any other species,just like other fish,twra has a size requirement,what is trophy size,34 inchs.besides that i dont think there would b 30 boats,5 times a week,stressing fish like other tx.i dont want fish to die 4 no reason,as 4 all fish that die after tx,someone should donate them to the soup kitchen,lots of homless would b grateful. someone educate me on how a cat tx is any differnt

</div>

Can you clarify yourquestionsfor me? Im not sure if your making statements or asking a question on some of them.</p>

</p>

 

[machinekiller]

photo trail,would b fun too,guess we would have to have faith that noone is dishonest.some cameras show the date and time.i can c why it might b hard to donate these fish,i dont want to eat them either,exp the biguns.my questions are.Why is cat tx any diff?Im not being a smartA ,just wondering.the survey that Bouy-master is refering to.What species was this survey done?all or just cats?

 

[machinekiller]

I was also thinking that,catfish equipment reps would be looking 4 ways to introduce new products and things like that.also money and prizes make things more interesting

 

[SpurHunter]

"Why is cat tx any diff?"
Just a couple reasons.

A) Giant catfish don't fit in livewells.
B) Giant catfish are 2-3x older than a large bass.

 

[SpurHunter]

machinekiller - 7/17/2012 1:05 PM I was also thinking that,catfish equipment reps would be looking 4 ways to introduce new products and things like that.also money and prizes make things more interesting

</p>

Money and prizes lead to dead fish and suspect behavior.</p>

 

[Buoy-Master]

Couldn't tell you exactly what species TWRA was referring to in that post but it was in straight conjunction to a bass tournament.

Spurs last comment is dead on too!

 

[machinekiller]

SpurHunter - 7/17/2012 1:12 PM

"Why is cat tx any diff?"
Just a couple reasons.

A) Giant catfish don't fit in livewells.
B) Giant catfish are 2-3x older than a large bass.
[/QUOTE)good point

 

[machinekiller]

what is this suspect behavior?what do u mean by that and is that to all tournys or just cats?

 

[Buoy-Master]

Heres is the quote from TWRA Agent Greg Atchley:

3391 - 7/4/2012 12:49 AM Once the water temps exceed 80 degrees your killing 40 percent of the bass you weigh in. I think the CBA is a well run tournament but these 12 hour tournaments are killing around half the fish being weighed. We need to consider tourneys in the fall and winter and lay off the hot summer months.

</p>

So I was mistaken. He was speaking of bass but Im sure cats wouldntdo well either.</p>

 

[gruffy911]

Personally, I'd be more concerned about all the comerical fisherman and the numbers of fish they are taking out of the river than the few that would die from a few tournaments. just saying............

 

[machinekiller]

I dont think a cockroach could survive these temps.thanks 4 your feed back,wasnt trying to get anyone all rilled up

 

[SpurHunter]

gruffy911 - 7/17/2012 1:33 PM Personally, I'd be more concerned about all the comerical fisherman and the numbers of fish they are taking out of the river than the few that would die from a few tournaments. just saying............

</p>

Agreed, but thats a whole nother ball of wax. Its also been debated so many times, Im not sure if there is anything left to say. LOL</p>

 

[Etoncathunter]

I am currently fishing a catfish trail here in GA. I was just looking for something closer to home. I know the trail I'm on we take the care of the fish very seriously. Barring the 1 or 2 teams there with Sea Arks specialty made for cat tourneys, no one there uses built in live wells. Just about everyone uses at minimum a 30gal tank/150qt cooler with filters and aerators. Several of the teams use 100gal + stock tanks. As well, during the hotter months we have night tourneys not just for our comfort, but to lessen the heat effect on the fish as much as we can.

That said I do like the idea of a photo tourney, but that is alot more work setting up and grading. You have to make sure either every team brings a camera, or supply ones for them. Then you have to come up with a standardized ruler, not to mention the task of keeping a 20,30,or even 80lb fish still long enough to accurately measure and photo. Some boats may not even have enough space to lay out a fish that big, completely flat for an accurate/certified measure. Then the coordinator has to come up with some sort of unique item either for each team or each tourney to have in the photo to protect against photos being taken during non tourney catches.