MRM MegaBucs – Helena Victory Goes to Masingale, Masingale, and Coughlin
by Ron Presley
Photos courtesy of MRM
Masingale, Masingale, and Coughlin pulled off a repeat win in the MRM MegaBucs Series.
After a successful MRM in Memphis, the MRM series of catfish tournaments moved down the Mississippi River to Helena for the 2024 MegaBucs-Helena catch-and-release catfish competition.
The September 28, 2024 event was a one-day event, that paid the top 5 places and Big Fish. Teams limited to 3 persons were competing to see who could bring in the heaviest weight in 3 fish with no slot limitations. The event attracted 19 of the best catfishing teams on the tournament trail. It all started Friday night at the Wild Hog Saloon with registration and a captain’s dinner.
With no trailing allowed, the boat launching began at 5:00 am Saturday morning at the Helena Boat Ramp. Fishing hours began at 7:30 am and lasted until 4:30 pm. At the end of the competition, boats were required to be in sight of the harbor no later than 5:30 pm with the scales opening at or before 6:00 pm at the Cherry Street Pavilion.
The MRM MegaBucs entry was $2,500 with the purse based on the total number of teams fishing. With 19 boats in the competition, the 43 anglers competed for a first-place purse of $19,500 and a Big Fish payout of $2,500.
Pre-fishing and fishing on tournament day felt the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene which moved through the area on Thursday and Friday before tournament Saturday. It definitely limited the prefishing activity for the anglers and affected the bite. When the scales closed and the weights were recorded it required more than 130 pounds in three fish to win. The Big Fish of the day came to the scales at more than 56 pounds.
First Place 
The top spot at Helena went to Jason Masingale, Daryl Masingale, and David Coughlin. They teamed up to bring 130.08 pounds to the scales and claim the 1st place check for $19,500 for a repeat win in the series.
This team is certainly no stranger to the winner’s circle, especially on the Mississippi River. A few weeks ago they boated 115 pounds of Mississippi River catfish to earn the largest 1st place check in catfish tournament history. That event at Vicksburg, MS was worth $100,000.
They came to Helena knowing the importance of pre-fishing and preparation but not having the luxury to do it.
“For us, preparation for this tournament was very limited,” noted Jason Masingale. “We came down the Sunday before the tournament to do some pre-fishing and looking around. Even with limited time, we were able to find some decent fish in two areas.”
“One thing that shuffled the deck for everyone was the hurricane that hit the area,” continued Jason. “With no time on the water Friday, we stuck with our plan and went to our number one spot Saturday morning.”
When they arrived at their intended spot many of the fish they found the week before were gone. The bite was slow and less than they expected.
“I would say the numbers were reduced by half and at half that stayed,” reported Jason. “They were definitely not in the mood to bite. That theme continued for most of the morning. Our top three spots were straight-line current areas with moderate to very slow current depending on where you fished.”
The team tried everything. They drifted, suspended vertically, anchored, and walked baits. By noon they had very little to show for their efforts. It was at that point that Daryl made the game-winning call.
“Regardless of the bite and how slow it was,” David asked Daryl. “Where would you go to try and catch the biggest fish?”
After a brief discussion among the anglers, Daryl navigated the team to an area of isolated wood in some straight-line current in 40 to 50 feet of water. Next Daryl instructed the team to put on some heavier than normal weights.
“We’re gonna go very slow and pick this wood apart,” explained Daryl.
On their first pass through the area, Daryl picked up a 55-pounder. Over the next couple of hours, David and Jason contributed a fish to the livewell and they had their 3-fish winning total.
“None of this would’ve been possible without the best gear available on the market,” concluded Jason. “We use SeaArk Boats, Monster Rod Holders, Team Catfish fishing gear, Tangling with Catfish Rods, Pro-Guide batteries, and Chiller Bait Tanks. So many things have to go right to win a tournament against a stacked field of competitors. And reliable equipment is a necessity against this level of competition!”
Second Place 
Lonnie and Donnie Fountain finished the competition just 10 pounds out of 1st place. The well-known twin brothers brought 120.19 pounds to the scales to claim the runner-up spot and earn a check for $9,500.
Third Place 
The third spot went to Chris Tramm and Brian Vohol. They teamed up to bring 118.69 pounds to the scales and earn the 3rd place check for $7,500.
Fourth Place and Big Fish 
The fourth spot at Helena went to Kevin Parks and John Jamison. They put together a strategy that put 118.02 pounds of Big Muddy fish in the boat to earn the 4th place check for $4,500. Their bag included the Big Fish of the tournament at 56.28 pounds to add the Big Fish payday of $2,500 to their earnings.
Fifth Place 
The final team in the money was David Shipman, Phil King, and Sukanya Poonsawat. The Alabama team brought 108.73 pounds to the scales to earn the 5th place check for $4,000.
Final Thoughts
Mega Bucs – Helena was a well-ran tournament, complimented by the anglers in spite of the hurricane that passed through the area. The operation was praise as many thank-yous came from the anglers competing in the event for the MRM staff and volunteer crew.
Weighmaster Chris Ramsey, with assistance from Jessie Adams, and other volunteers performed the stage duties and made the weigh-in go smoothly for the anglers. An additional crew of volunteers contributed to the effort in various ways to guarantee a successful event.
“The stormy weather broke perfectly and gave the anglers a good day on the water,” noted Ramsey. “The field of 19 boats was the best of the best catfish anglers! The field was stacked with names like Masingale, Shipman, King, Fountain, Jamison, Muse, and more. There wasn’t much doubt that it was going to be a great one.”
“As the weights begin to come across the scales there was no margin for error if the teams wanted to get into the top 5,” continued Ramsey. It was apparent early, that if the team was to get into the money they would have to have at least 100 pounds in 3 fish.”
“The Masingales and Coughlin keep their hot streak alive,” added Ramsey. “After claiming the recent victory at Vicksburg they came to Helena and won it too! Kevin Park’s Big Fish of 56.28 pounds secured a place in the money for him and his partner, John Jamison. That was a fish worthy of the $2,500 payout”
Ramsey’s perception was right on target. The top 7 teams broke the 100-pound mark with only 3 fish. Team Masingales’s repeat was also worth of notice. Everyone knows that they are tough competitors wherever they go.
“I want to thank everyone behind the scenes,” concluded Ramsey. “If it wasn’t for the MRM family these MRM weigh-ins wouldn’t be as smooth and painless as they are. We have the right people in the right position and we all work well together. Congratulations to all the anglers and sponsors and I look forward to going home to Wheeler Lake in January for the Bama Blues event in just a few short months!”
The next MRM tournament will be the MRM BAMA BLUES 2025 tournament out of Decatur, AL on January 8 and 11, 2025.
For more information on Mississippi River Monster events follow them on Facebook or check out their website.
