Yantis Catfish Classic Honors Ken Freeman
by Lisa Hill
This was the 13th year for the Yantis-Catfish Classic and the 5th year for Mayor Jerry Miller along with the assistance of his wife Phillis to be the Tournament Director. At the end of the first day of the tournament, there was a parade in downtown Yantis Texas with Luke Clayton as the Grand Marshal. The parade was followed by a BBQ and live music at the Yantis School Cafeteria.
Mayor Miller truly was saddened by the loss of his friend Ken Freeman, who in years past played a substantial role in the tournament. Mayor Jerry Miller and Yantis VFD Chief Wesley Crist presided over a memorial ceremony, “The Ringing of the Bell” followed by a moment of silence in memory of Ken Freeman.
The May 5-6, 2018 event paid 7 hourly payouts, each day, totaling $1,000 per hour.(1st $400, 2nd $300, 3rd $200, 4th $100) In addition to that there were 7 overall top payouts at the end of the tournament-First place $3500 second-place $2500 third Place $1500 fourth Pl. $900 fifth Place $650 sixth Pl. $500 seventh Place $450.
The weigh-in was held at the Minnow Bucket Marina. A live release boat was used to take good care of the fish.
Mayor Jerry Miller stated there were 290 entrants (individual participants rather than boats) in this year’s Yantis Catfish Classic. The tournament is the only fundraiser held for the Yantis Volunteer Fire Department.
List of Winners
1st place Johnny Brown 13.20
2nd place Larry Jenkins 13.18
3rd place Dillon Callaway 11.38
4th place Paul Payne 11.14
5th place Paul Payne 9.94
6th place Izzy Stroman 9.92
7th place Josh Busby 9.90
Division Winners
Youth and Womens – Izzy Stromwn 9.92
Senior – Larry Jenkins 13.18
Overall- Johnny Brown 13.20
The mayor thanked all the anglers for their participation as well as those who made donations and bought raffle tickets. He stated that he would do his best to continue to grow the tournament making each year bigger and better. He encouraged all to come back and fish next year’s Yantis Catfish Classic on May 4th and 5th, 2019.
