Trade in your winter blues for some Wheeler blues
Success often brings growing pains. Such is the case at Winter Blues on Wheeler (WBW). Thank goodness, they are pains of a good kind. Winter Blues is one of those tournaments that caught on quick with catfish anglers. Now in its 4th year, the boat total is expected to reach near 200.
A couple encounters with the catfish community attracted Jody Harrison to the industry. A long-time provider of tournament services to bass and crappie tournaments, Harrison became involved as tournament director for the 2018 version of Winter Blues on Wheeler presented by Bottom Dwellers Tackle. He readily admits that the size of the fish and the character of the anglers are a big part of the attraction. He is using his expertise, gained from other tournaments, to make WBW a show stopper for the catfish community.
The number of boats expected has mandated a change in venue for the captains meeting. Winter Blues on Wheeler presented by Bottom Dwellers Tackle, will hold the captains meeting at the Lauderdale County High School, 201 Cedar St. Rogersville, AL. 35652.
Check in and registration will begin at 4pm. Anglers are asked to get there in plenty of time to get the registration process completed before 6pm when the meeting starts. Dinner will be provided by Lauderdale County and the City of Rogersville.
Harrison emphasized that more changes would be announced in the near future, so stay tuned. One change already announced is the staggered weigh-in time which will benefit catfish health and angler anxiety. Anglers will be brought in, 25 boats at a time. The flights will be spaced 15 minutes apart to shorten the weigh-in line and leave the fish in the water longer.
Epilogue: This tournament will pay $50,000 to an angler for breaking the state record for a blue catfish during the tournament and will pay a guaranteed 1st place prize of $10,000. Payouts will be made for every 7 paid entries. Other prizes include a $500 Bottom Dwellers Big Fish Award; $500 Bottom Dwellers Customer Bonus Contingency award; $300 Whisker Wear Apparel’s top finishing team with a female team member.
The entry fee is $200 per boat. You can pre-register online at http://www.fishlife.net/winter-blue-registration.html
You can keep up to date on the event at the Winter Blues on Wheeler Facebook page.
