| Sealy Outdoors Billy Moore Wins Big Catfish Splash with a 41.55 lb Toledo Bend Catfish.  1st Annual Big Catfish Splash® |  |
| by Nicole Sealy |
| Page(s): 1 |
| (Aug. 12, 2008 - Many, LA.)... Sealy Outdoors held the 1st Annual Big Catfish Splash® this past weekend, August 9 & 10 at Cypress Bend Park on Lake Toledo Bend Reservoir. 180 anglers came from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi to win their share of the $60,000 Guaranteed in Cash & Prizes. Five places every hour were paid to the top 5 heaviest catfish weighed in. On the final day and final hour of the tournament Bill Powell had thought he had 1st place overall secured with his 15.76 catfish until Billy Moore of Center, Texas surprised everyone as he rushed to the weigh in with net and catfish in hand. Bob Sealy, Tournament Director, was amazed with the size of the catfish and his words were "I think we are going to need a bigger basket". Billy brought his catfish to the official scales where it tipped a Catfish Splash record of 41.55 pounds and netted him $500 for first place of the hour. In addition this landed him 1st Place Overall taking home a Triton Aluminum Boat and Trailer powered by a 25 Hp Mercury. Billy Moore was fishing in the river south of Huxley Bay in 41 foot of water with Cut Shad. When he hooked the fish, he first thought he was hung up and after reeling a while, he realized he had a Monster on. He was worried he would not be able to get it in since he had broken an eye on his rod earlier that morning. He finally got the blue cat into the boat and rushed to the weigh in. This was his first catfish tournament to fish and he thoroughly enjoyed himself and spending time with his brother. Bill Powell of Marthaville, LA, with his 15.76 Catfish took Second place overall and a check for $2,500. Third Place and $2,000 was won by Keith Soileau from Noble, LA with a weight of 11.03-pounds. Brenda Latour from Bunkie, Louisiana won 4th Place and $1,500 with her fish that weighed 10.28-pounds. Keith Soileau and Brenda Latour were both fishing across from San Patricia Coves in 30 foot of water with live carp. Keith also won 5th place Overall at the McDonald’s® Big Bass Splash® on Toledo Bend back in 2005. Rounding out the top Five was Justin Walker of Blue Ridge, Texas weighing in his 6.19 catfish for a total of $1,000. Each day of the tournament, the contestant to weigh in the first 5.00 exact weight catfish was to receive $1,000. On Saturday, David Metcalf of Center, Texas brought his catfish to the weigh in and the crowd watched as the scales hit 5.00. Sunday, no one weighed in an exact weight, therefore the unclaimed $1,000 was up for grabs in an open drawing at the awards ceremony for all contestants who had entered the tournament. The lucky winner was Jered Mounger from Princeton, Texas. Marilyn Parker of Zwolle, LA was the winner of the Open Drawing for a 2008 Triton Aluminum Boat amongst all contestants and spectators at the final awards ceremony on Sunday. Sealy Outdoors would like to take the opportunity to thank all contestants for their participation in the 1st Annual Big Catfish Splash®. Sponsors of the 2008 Big Catfish Splash® include Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Shimano, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Navionics, Power Pole, T-H Marine, and Texas Fish & Game. |
| Page 1 of 1 |