Catfishing’s Biggest Check!
By Ron Presley
Photos courtesy of MRM
The MRM event at Vicksburg produced the largest payout in tournament catfishing history, including a first-place check for $100,000.
Qualifying day for the Bill Dance Mississippi River Monsters (MRM) Mega Buc$ Pro Series Vicksburg event was Saturday, July 27, 2024. The catfish tournament was an elimination-style two-day tournament. Only the top 25 teams advanced to earn the opportunity to compete for a historical $100,000 first-place check.
One team that qualified was Jason Masingale, Daryl Masingale and David Coughlin. After what they described as a “tough” first day, the team weighed 83.19 pounds to hold down the fifteenth spot on the leaderboard and join the 25-angler field that competed for the biggest first-place check in tournament catfishing history.
All final-day anglers began the competition with day-one weights zeroed out. All would compete on a level playing field.
Jason, Daryl and David began the final day knowing that the field was stacked with 25 of the best catfish anglers in the country, and they would have to use all their skills to earn a top spot in the tournament.
“We started day two at the spot where we caught our big fish the day before,” said Daryl. “It was the same song, second verse. We didn’t catch a fish and were quickly on the move. In short, we just went fishing with no exact plan as we discussed the falling river levels and where the fish might be.” (Visit this link to learn how they fished.)
A winning attitude and years of experience rewarded the team with a three-fish limit to take to the scales. They later shared that they didn’t think they had a chance to win but had a respectable weight and hopes of a top 10 finish.
It was no wonder the team was worried. The bar was set high by Carl Morris Jr. and Rob Parson from Ohio. Their 146 pounds set angler expectations, and that weight was not uncommon for a Mississippi River tournament.
“Several of the top teams had really good weights on day one,” recalled Jason Masingale following the tournament. “We felt it was safe to say that 150 pounds is what it would take to be in the conversation of a top-three finish on the final day.”
The Paragould, Arkansas team pulled into the darkened Vicksburg Convention Center, and the rolling service doors closed behind them. Loudspeakers filled the arena with their walk-out song, Bad to the Bone. Strobe lights were flashing, and artificial smoke greeted the uncertain anglers.
The top spot was still a far-fetched notion in their minds, but it was quickly apparent that the fish had moved on everyone, and the weights were considerably less than the day before. They weighed 115.85 pounds to crush the existing lead of 76 pounds.
“With help from the Lord above, we picked up a three-fish limit for 115 pounds,” confirmed Jason. “In no way did we think that weight would hold up against the absolute best fisherman in the country!”
Plenty of thought and organization went into the Vicksburg event. The organizers made plans to practice good conservation, recognize sponsors, entertain spectators and honor the anglers. Overall, $260,000 was distributed in cash and prizes, including the largest first-place check ever.
The idea of a walk-out song came as the organizers searched for ideas to entertain and excite the crowd. Each team was asked to name their walk-out song during the livewell check. Some teams chose quickly, but others needed help, and the MRM crew chose for them.
“Liz Nagy had the music under control,” recalled MRM volunteer Natalie Brooke Wilkins. “She did a phenomenal job working up the crowd before the anglers pulled out their fish.
“The anglers and spectators seemed to enjoy the excitement,” continued Wilkins. “This wasn’t your normal weigh-in. The crowd started cheering for each team as the doors opened and the music started. It was so energetic.”
With hot summer temperatures prevalent, catfish conservation was a high priority. They included a three-fish limit and leaving boats in the water until needed at the weigh-in. Anglers recognized and commented on the focus placed on catfish conservation.
“I loved the improvements made to the weight-in,” said Eiselt. “Keeping the boats on the water and releasing teams in flights to the convention center at weigh-in was crucial to the fish’s health.”
“The preparation and planning were evident, and it showed in an amazing weigh-in,” noted Daryl Masingale. “Keeping the fisherman on the water to allow them to keep water flowing in the livewells was a good call with the warmer water. Thank you for taking care of the trophy fish.”
The Official MRM weighmaster, Chris Ramsey, was joined on stage by Alex Nagy (Twisted Cats Outdoors) to inform and entertain the many spectators gathered for the event.
“What a monumental day for the sport of catfishing,” said Ramsey following the tournament. “The City of Vicksburg and many of its citizens showed up and packed the Convention Center for both fishing days. Being able to share a moment in history with the best anglers in the country was very special.”
George Young Jr. did much of the work leading up to the MRM event. But many supporters added to the effort, including his wife Kristi Cope Young and other family members.
“It takes a village to run these tournaments,” Kristi stated. “We have an amazing team. You will see our own kids and grandkids at every tournament. We love it that way. Everyone has a role, even our four-year-old granddaughter. When it’s time for an MRM tournament, we drop everything to give 100 percent to the anglers and a successful tournament.”
With winning attitudes, faith in their catfishing skills and a little luck, Jason, Daryl and David pulled off the historic win. And like many tournament anglers, it’s not all about the money.
“It’s been a couple of days since Sunday, and I think it’s finally sinking in,” said Jason Masingale following the tournament. “We have been very fortunate and won several big tournaments in the past, but this has to be at the top of the list for multiple reasons. The $100,000 payout is unbelievable, not to mention a total $200,000 payout is just phenomenal. The second thing that makes this memorable is the fact that we struggled on Saturday, continued to struggle on Sunday and were able to make the best of it.
“For us, the huge payout didn’t change the way we fished,” Jason continued. “We talked about it as a team. The money and winnings were a factor, but we did not let that affect our approach.”
“We are still in a little shock,” added Daryl. “Even though we felt we had a chance to win, we never really thought it would happen. Winning this tournament tops all our other wins because the caliber of competition is far greater than it’s ever been. The $100k prize was something to be excited about, but the true accomplishment was fishing against the best catfishermen in the world and coming out on top.”
“George and the MRM crew put a great deal of work into this event,” concluded Jason and Daryl Masingale in a joint statement. “Additionally, the support of Vicksburg made this an amazing tournament. All the lights, music, fog and fireworks made the fisherman feel like rockstars. The crowd was amazing. The cheers were so loud from the packed house, it was a humbling experience.”
