Cabelas King Kat tour to stop in MN

[DTro]

Recently announced that an event will be headquartered in Henderson MN, with boundaries from Belle Plaine to Mankato.

24hr from Fri night to Sat night.

Aug 2nd

So what are your thoughts?

Personally, I think a big money event with high visibility and a large number of boats that has a transport format is a bad fit for the MN river and I'm very surprised to see they will be holding an event here. And now that I think about it I wonder how they plan on allowing live fish to be transported? If everyone weighs in (via boat) @ Henderson, it could be a real cluster.

I also wonder about the amount of "large" contests allowed by the MNDNR and will this replace the Belle Plaine Contest?

I run a couple of contests a year with a small max number of boats (25) and hold them on the biggest water around. I've been approached to hold bigger contests with more money and to include portions of the MN river. For me, I don't think its a good idea and I've always declined.

So what does everyone else think?

[DTro]

and just to reiterate this is a National Tour Trail. Compare the other sizes of bodies of water on the list:

2014 Local Events

W. Tawakoni, TX Lake Tawakoni 03/01/14

Pottsboro, TX Lake Texoma 03/15/14

Sheffield, AL Pickwick/Wilson 03/29/14

Jefferson City, MO Missouri River 04/19/14

Gallipolis, OH Ohio River 05/03/14

Henderson, KY Ohio River 05/10/14

Morgantown, WV Monongahela River 05/17/14

Metropolis, IL Ohio River 07/26/14

Henderson, MN Minnesota River 08/01/14 - 08/02/14

Burwell, NE Calamus Reservoir 08/23/14

Council Bluffs, IA Missouri River 09/06/14

[dan z]

I hope the river is to low to have the contest. The Minnesota river is not very easy to navigate so there going to have fun with that.

So my is its not a good thing.

[aanderud]

The missouri river near council bluffs is one of the smaller 'other' locations. Using the USGS site, I found that the 61-year median flow on August 2 at Council Bluffs is 35000 cubic feet per second. The same measurement at the Jordan gauge on the MN river shows between 2000 and 2500 cubic feet per second. So, about 1/15 the water volume is traversing these two rivers, roughly.

I wish them luck, but I just don't see many of these nationwide anglers being satisfied with the fishery's size or diversity, especially in the low water period. I'm guessing it'll be one-and-done, as the anglers will prefer to stick to larger waters. Just a hunch, I've nothing really to back it up.

[Gordie]

Well with all the publicity that has been generated from the Minnesota river about the catfish it was only a matter of time before this was going to happen. It is what it is so its time to make the best of it...I guess.

I also hope its way to low but a lot of these guys that do this sort of thing are equipped to run skinny water. It will be interesting to say the least.

[DTro]

I agree, just really surprised they would choose such a small body of water.

[Gordie]

I also think that they choose a off the wall stretch and would think even the Franklin stretch would be better.

[harvey lee]

It is what it is and will more than likely be a one and done.

They will have them and if one is in our back yard, I can live with that.

There are others and as long as they follow te rules, then fine with me. Every event cannot be in someone's else back yard.

May be interesting to see what some of those fishermand can pull from the bottom of the Mn river.

[Alagnak]

I want to listen to the conversation when some of these guys read that it's one rod a person. They probably think its a typo. "Bubba look at this! No jug lines?"

[Scott K]

I dont think I have anything to say that wont get edited, so I am just going to keep my mouth shut.

[Gordie]

I dont think I have anything to say that wont get edited, so I am just going to keep my mouth shut.

[minky]

Is there any research on how the big catfish respond / survive a tournament event?

[DTro]

If anyone is interested in more info, there was an article in the Henderson Independent yesterday.  The full article is also attached to a catfish picture on their Facebook Page posted on 2/12 (the newspaper doesn’t have an online edition).

 

Looks like they hammered out some details that will limit the contest to 50 boats and 2 fish/boat limit.   Personally, I think that was a good idea for a 24 hour tournament in August and I was happy to see that.

 

According to the article, Alumacraft was the driving force behind the event and the main reason it is being held in Henderson.  The Alumacraft sales rep who worked out a deal as a major sponsor to donate a boat to the tour also did so in exchange for a stop in Henderson, where the rep conveniently owns a liquor store in town. 

 

Including the hosting fees, entry fees, and mandated membership fees to compete, looks like Cabelas King Kat stands to make a nice little chunk of change with a full field.   It will be interesting to see how it all pans out, but I bet  everything will go off fine and everyone will have a great time.  Money will be made and it will be a success. 

 

I’ve been going back and forth on whether I wanted to fish this. I think it would be a lot of fun, a nice promo for MN catfishing, and a good thing for the city, plus if I was lucky enough, I sure could use some of the prize money or a new boat, yet on the other hand I don’t think the locations/format is a good fit for a large contest and my entry fee/membership would essentially supporting the whole thing.  Then yesterday, I seen the picture they used to promote the event (a noodling shot which is illegal in MN) and I think it might have been the last straw for me

[ThunderLund78]

I thought the same thing regarding how they're going to handle the Weigh-in at the landing. I'm guessing Cablela's wants it to be a success so they're probably bringing some type of floating dock system, with slips, etc. we'll see how that does in the current . Otherwise there's plenty of room around the landing for the weigh-in and other events.

I certainly respect and even agree with most opinions regarding the potential population impact on a smaller fishery, but having been born and raised in Henderson, it is cool to see the old town get this type of exposure and it will be good for the local economy. If it becomes annual, I might change my tune. the publicity alone will put a lot of additional pressure on the fishery, that's for sure.

Like a previous poster said, might as well make the best of it, now. I hope the locals run the board. I know I'll be heading home just to watch the spectacle, see how the town celebrates the event and maybe tip a few back. Henderson's no Belle Plaine, but they know how to party in their own right!

[Scott K]

Lets not forget the fish will get hammered again right away from the BP contest.

[harvey lee]

I think Cabela's will run a very good event, they have to much to lose if they do a lousy job.

If they used a noodling shot, big deal. Noone is going to noodle, just a little extra promo.

I am sure the tourny will be within all the state laws, they would be fool's to go outside the law.

Like I stated in another post, all these tournies cannot be in someone's back yard. If they make a few buck's, good for them.

If the water is low and well could be, I highly doubt they will be back as Aanrud suggested above.

Seem's there are numerous tournies all summer long on this river and I doubt that it will ever end unless the MNDNR stops it. The river has survived these over the years and I am sure it will contiune to.

[DTro]

If they used a noodling shot, big deal. Noone is going to noodle, just a little extra promo.

In that case, heck lets use a Walleye stuck to a spear to promote the FLW, or hey, how about a Musky on a stringer to promote the MTT?

I never said they would run a poor tournament or that it wouldn't be a success. I'm just reiterating that in my opinion, their choices so far have not been very wise and its obvious to me that $ is the biggest factor here and has nothing to do with showcasing MN catfishing.

[JP Z]

How bout this for the Promo shot?

We don't necessarily need to be species correct right?

[harvey lee]

I was just stating they would run a good tourny DTro, nothing against anything you posted, just saying.

Would not bother me what photo they use for walleye, cats or whatever. They have to follow the rules. People get way to sensitive.

Most if not 90% of all Tournies are all about the money, very few about the system. Belle Plaine and Franklin I would also say are all about the money.

Find a tourny that does not have prize money, they are few and far between. Maybe a few here and there but I would guess one could count them on 1 hand.

[Big Cat Dad]

They are a money making tournament organization. Every city/chamber/etc. must put up $5000 up front for them to even consider a tournament site. $10,000 for a super event (two day). They went to Grand Forks, ND last year and let's just say the Chamber wasn't too happy with the bang for their buck. Mostly local anglers attended the Grand Forks event and that will more than likely be the case with the MN event.

[motownmasher]

I also think that they choose a off the wall stretch and would think even the Franklin stretch would be better.

franklin! please no..

[rbs]

I second the "Franklin! please no." comment!

[harvey lee]

If anyone here would like to fish this tourny, shoot me an e-mail. We could use my boat but if the water gets very skinny, we may have to fish a different location unless you have a boat that works well in less than 3ft.

[email protected]

[DTro]

Canceled due to "water conditions"

[Scott K]

Canceled due to "water conditions"

What are the water conditions?