Catfish Tournament on Wheeler Lake Isn’t Really About Fishing
by Ron Presley
The Christmas for Kids Charity Tournament on Wheeler Lake is all about raising money. The real winners are the kids and families that benefit from this annual event.
The catfish community is known for having a collectively warm heart and a sense of giving that goes well beyond the joy of fishing. Nine years ago a tournament with the sole mission of supporting families and children in the community began.
Two men, Steve Dobbs and Cad Daly, with an interest in catfishing and a desire to contribute to their community, started that first tournament. Seven teams showed up to support the cause and they raised enough funds to sponsor 1 family and 2 teenagers with some Christmas Cheer. Each year more volunteers have stepped up to lend their support.
Anglers supported the event with a $100 entry fee and all prizes were donated by individuals and companies. Edmond Crowder’s fishermen (Yammer & Sons Bait Company) all fished without pay for two days to allow the bait to be provided to tournament participants while contributing cash to the event’s recipients.
“My bait fisherman fish for free for two days,” explained Crowden the event director. “I put all the money from bait sales back into the pot. They are great about doing this when they know we are raising more money for the event.”
The proceeds from entry fees, bait sales, food sales, raffles, and donations all go to purchase Christmas presents and meals for less fortunate families in Rogersville, AL, and the surrounding area. Lists of needy persons are obtained from schools, churches, and state resources to determine the actual beneficiaries.
On October 28, 2023, Crowder and his wife Tika with support from Tiffany Lawrence, Ryan Lawrence, Brent Jones, Carolyn Jones, and a swarm of other volunteers, hosted the 2023 event at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion and Event Center in Decatur Alabama.
Thirty-nine (39) teams launched that morning to compete for bragging rights and various prizes that had been donated to the event. The day started at 5:30 a.m. with the National Anthem and registration at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur.
At 6:00 a.m. anglers could trailer to any public boat ramp on the Tennessee River, as long as it was in the state of Alabama. Lines in the water were set for 7 a.m. and the anglers could fish until 3:00 p.m. before returning to Ingalls Harbor for the weigh-in.
Following the weigh-in, at Ingalls Harbor, the action shifted to Dry Creek Marine where volunteers helped distribute BBQ plates at $10 each, conducted raffles, and organized the awards ceremony. Donated prizes were awarded to 1st through 3rd place, Top Female Angler, and Top Youth Angler.
And the Winners Are
Of course, the real winners are the kids and families that benefit from the generosity of the catfish community who participated in Christmas for Kids. Nevertheless, the anglers had a great time, caught some quality fish, and made some memories that will last a lifetime as they supported a great cause.
1st Place Big Fish and Female Angler
The husband/wife team of Stacey Rentfrow East (Sassy) and Robin L. East were pulling boards on a beautiful day on Wheeler Lake to earn the 1st Place Big Fish award with a weight of 73.68 pounds.
Sassy’s side of the boat was decked out as usual with her Pink B’n’M Lady Elite rods pulling Hot Pink Parks Planner Boards. They had been catching fish all morning but nothing to really brag about.
“We were catching all sizes of blues,” reported an excited Sassy. “Then time to fix lunch rolled around. I took one bite and my B’n’M Rod bent way over and the fight began to get this Big Toad to the boat! He put up a Big Fight all the way to the boat! To get him off the bottom was a true battle. My rod was bent all the way to the water. I just knew he was going to break my Pink Rod!”
“Whew,” Sassy said as she recalled the fight. “Thankfully Robin was there to help with the net. I was so excited! It was more than 73 pounds and my new Personal Best. We were blessed to come in 1st Place and I was excited and blessed to win the Female Angler Award!”
“We love the Christmas for Kids tournament,” concluded Sassy. “It’s all about helping the Kids to have Christmas!”
“The true winners in this event are the children that are blessed with a Christmas,” added Robin in a Facebook post. “I would like to thank Edmond Crowden and everyone who has a part in this tournament and the sponsors. Ya’ll are truly a blessing!”
2nd Place Big Fish and Top Youth
Brian Meares fished the tournament with his daughter Holly Clark and her daughter Emma Clark. The family team earned the runner-up spot with a 58.84-pound blue.
The big blue gave 11-year-old Emma Clark the Youth Angler Award. Young Emma delighted her mom and granddad with the catch. Her blue cat was also her personal best.
Emma loves to be on the softball field, plays volleyball, and loves to fish! The Meares/Clark team was dragging ledges on Wheeler Lake throughout the day in 30 to 35 feet of water. They caught 12 fish on the day using skipjack as bait.
“That was the first tournament we have fished together,” explained Meares. “To say I’m proud of her would be a big understatement. The time I get to spend with them is priceless!”
3rd Place Big Fish
The 3rd place award went to Steve Farmer and Stacy Dyess. They earned their spot in the winner’s circle with a 55.12-pound blue cat.
Honorable Mention – Biggest Fish on a Barbie Rod
It wasn’t really a part of the tournament, but it did occur during the tournament so CatfishNow is awarding an Honorable Mention to Ryan Lawrence for catching and boating a 52-pound blue on a Barbie Rod. He was fishing with his wife Tiffany and Michael Gentry.
The opportunity arose when Lawrence was visiting with Jarrett Tempus (River Rat Reel Repair) about the upcoming Christmas for Kids event. One thing led to another and before they knew it they had challenged each other to a one-on-one competition using kiddie poles. Lawrence fished with a Barbie Rod and Tempus broke out a Spiderman Rod and an Avengers Rod. The Spiderman Rod didn’t produce but the Avengers rod did with a 31-pound blue.
“I have to give credit where credit is due,” stated a humbled Tempus. “I really thought I would beat him, but he and his Barbie Rod proved to be better on tournament day. Congratulations, Ryan you beat me fair and square.”
“It was an absolute blast,” revealed Lawrence following the competition. “When the fish hit I didn’t think I could stop him before running out of line. I had to grab the line with my hand and try to turn him. Luckily it worked and he swam back towards the boat. During the whole fight, I was wondering how big the fish was because I had zero control. Every time I reel a few feet in he took it right back. Finally, after the long battle, I was able to get him up and Michael got the net under it.”
Epilogue:
This event is special because it’s all about the kids and helping less fortunate families have a happier Christmas. Historically the tournament has gotten bigger in terms of volunteers, anglers, and sponsors. The result of its growth is a larger group of beneficiaries in the community.
A successful event like Christmas for Kids does not happen in a vacuum. It requires a dedication to the cause by the leadership and the participants who are willing to share their time and treasure. Edmond Crowden was a role model for sure.
“I spent Friday night cooking Boston butts and side dishes,” noted Crowden. “I got up early Saturday morning and got everyone registered, played the national anthem, and went back to finish cooking. Then we set up everything for the awards banquet before going back to Ingalls Harbor for the weigh-in. Finally, it was back to Dry Creek Marine for the banquet.”
“It took a small army of volunteers to put this all together,” concluded Crowden. “We raised more than $9000.00. We are thankful to all the sponsors and anglers for their donations. Because of them, there will be a lot of smiling faces on Christmas morning. Thanks to all who donated products, time, and money. We are thankful for everyone who helped make this possible!”
Crowden and the crew have already started planning for next year. You can mark your calendar for October 26, 2024, if you would like to join the fun and support this worthwhile cause.
