Big Wheeler Lake blue cats are sure to be plentiful.
Catfish anglers from several states will travel to Wheeler Lake at Decatur, AL for a King Kat Tournament Trail event presented by Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s. Local and traveling anglers will be vying for cash, prizes, and an opportunity to compete at the 2019 King Kat Classic which will feature a guaranteed payout of $120,000 in cash and prizes.
Anglers in the March 16, 2019 event will be testing their catfishing skills against other anglers and whatever Mother Nature has in store. Some has nicknamed Wheeler Lake as “The House of Hawgs,” and plenty of big catfish are expected at the weigh-in.
Wheeler adapts nicely to all kinds of fishing methods so regardless of how angler’s fish, anyone that will have a chance to catch a 
“Hawg.” A little luck never hurts, but good fresh bait will likely be the key to a winning bag and possibly a personal best. Just like on most of the Tennessee River, skipjack is king.
Decatur Morgan County Tourism is hosting the event and offering $1,000 in lodging bonuses for staying in a Decatur/Morgan County Hotel. The winners will receive an extra $500 if they stayed in a local hotel and another lodging bonus will be distributed by drawing from a list of all others who stayed locally in Morgan County.
How to Enter
Teams may consist of one or two anglers, with a third allowed if the angler is under the age of 16 or over 65 years of age. Early registration can be accomplished on the King Kat website at https://www.kingkatusa.com/Tournament_Registration.cfm. Teams may also enter by calling (502) 384-5924 or by entering at the mandatory pre-tournament seminar on the night before the tournament begins. Late entries are subject to a $25.00 late fee.
Participating anglers must be a member of the King Kat Association (KKA). Membership is $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for spouse and youth memberships. Other membership levels are outlined on the King Kat website. Each membership will include a subscription to the official publication of the King Kat Association, one of the top catfishing fishing publications in the nation.
Registration and Seminar
A pre-tournament seminar will be held the day before the tournament at Turner – Surles Community Center, 702 Sycamore St. NW, Decatur, AL 35601. Sign up will begin at 5:00 pm. The Seminar and National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing starts at 7:00 pm local time. This seminar is open to the public. Those individuals not fishing the event are encouraged to attend and meet top catfish anglers from several different states.
The Weigh-In Site
The tournament weigh-in will be held on Saturday at Ingalls Harbor, 701 Market St. NW, Decatur, AL 35601 beginning at 3:00 pm. This is the perfect opportunity for non-competitors to learn how the big ones are caught. Interviews of the top 5 teams are conducted following the weigh-in.
Sponsor and Host Lodging Site
Decatur Morgan County Tourism welcomes all King Kat anglers and their guests to the area and hopes that they take the opportunity to enjoy the local attractions. Visit their website at http://www.decaturcvb.org for more information on the area.
As mentioned above, Decatur Morgan County Tourism is offering $1,000 in lodging bonuses. It is always recommended that participants make their reservations early to get their preferred accommodations.
Free Kids Fishing Rodeo
A FREE Catfish Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held in conjunction with the tournament. Sign up is Saturday morning at Ingalls Harbor, 701 Market St. NW, Decatur, AL 35601.
The event is free of charge and open to all youth 12 years old and younger. All participating children must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up is from 8:00 am until 9:00 am with fishing from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. The Fishing Rodeo is a chance for children of the area to get out and enjoy nature, do a little fishing and win some prizes. All participants are eligible for a chance to win one of six $1,000 scholarships presented by Outdoor Promotions. The scholarships are awarded annually at the Cabela’s King Kat Classic.
Outdoor Promotions and participating anglers have contributed $350,000.00 to youth scholarships since 1997. They are very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in the tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Outdoor Promotions Kids Fishing Rodeos.
The Classic Championship
This year’s Cabela’s King Kat Classic Championship will be held November 01–02, 2019 on the on the Tennessee River (Wheeler Lake) in Decatur, AL. The points race has been upgraded to $30,000 paid to the top 20 places. It features a guaranteed payout of $120,000 in cash and prizes based on the top five finishers.
National Sponsors
Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail sponsors include: Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s, Excel Boats, Mercury Marine, Mustad Hooks, Humminbird, Minn Kota, B’n’M Poles, Gamma Line, Driftmaster Rod Holders, Ego Nets, Xtreme Bait Systems, Clear Boards, EFX Graphics, Catfish Now, Fin n’ Frames, and Crown Trophy
For more information on the championship and other King Kat activities visit their website at www.kingkatusa.com. Anglers can also follow the trail on the King Kat Facebook Page.
