Mark Coburn (left) will serve as weighmaster again in 2021. He is shown here with 2020 Shootout winners Daniel Goggin, Meaghan Brinkley, Jeff Brinkley, and Black’s Camp owner Kevin Davis.
Big Entry Fees = Big Payout at Big Cat Shootout
December is the right time for big cats and heavy weights at the scales on Santee Cooper.
Black’s Camp Big Cat Shootout has quickly become a tradition on the Santee Cooper lakes. Since it’s inception in 2017 catfish anglers have enthusiastically anticipated the annual event.
Kevin Davis, owner/operator of Black’s Camp, was inspired by the first Santee Cooper Monster Cat Quest put on by Chris and Mandy Gains, and Jimmy and Layla Dylyska Holbrook.
Davis saw the Monster Cat Quest as an example of great organization and planning on the part of the tournament directors and unbounded enthusiasm by the anglers. As Davis observed the operation of that tournament, he formulated his ideas for the Big Cat Shootout.
Davis wanted the Shootout to be a high stake, 100% payout, trophy catfish tournament. He was fond of making the statement, “Big entry fees equal big payouts.” Accordingly, he set the entry fee at $500 per team and set the tournament limit of fish at 2 fish per day in a 2-day tournament.
At that time the South Carolina rules allow one blue cat over 36 inches per day, per person, so both catfish could be over 36 inches each day. A new South Carolina law has gone into effect that allows 2 fish over 32 inches per person per day. That means that even a 1person team can weigh 2 trophy fish per day. This year’s tournament allows 4 people per boat with 2 fish per boat day limit.
Entry Fees remain at $500 per team and 2 fish per day. Winners will be determined by the total weight of 4 fish in two days of fishing. A mandatory Captains Meeting will be held at 7 pm on Thursday, December 9th at Black’s Camp. Registration will be held prior to the meeting.
This year’s Shootout will maintain the same basic format as in past years. Ralph Willey, assisted by his wife Tonja Elliott Willey, are the new tournament directors. Both Ralph and Tonja are well known in the area. They created and directed the Santee Lakes Catfish Club since 2019, directed the 2021 Monster Cat Quest, and produced the 2021 Hill’s Landing Spring Fling.
“This year’s anglers should expect big fish to be caught,” said Ralph Willey. “Last year the top 3 finishers all had weights in the 160-pounds plus range for 4 fish. The payout is good too with a $500.00 entry fee. The tournament is 100 percent payout with $50 going to the Big Fish pot and a small amount supporting the polygraph.”
The 2021 Shootout is scheduled for December 10th and 11th with Mark Coburn returning as weighmaster.
“The Shootout Is a big cat event,” explained Coburn. “It will usually take about a 40-pound average to win. I am pleased to continue as the weighmaster and I invite any anglers from across the country to join us for this big money, big fish, big payout event. December is the right time of the year for big fish on Santee, so book your room early and join us for the fun.”
Parties interested in sponsorship opportunities at the Shootout can contact Ralph at 843-200-3108.
