Montana Catfish Association - News & Updates

June 07, 2013 by MT Cats Staff

6/8/13 Savage, MT – Low water was in store for the Savage Catfish Tournament over the weekend and it obviously did not affect the fishing. In what might have been the most impressive weights in the tournaments history, the entire top ten weighed in over five pounds. Keeping with its traditional rules of weighing your biggest five cats in the twelve to eighteen inch bracket anything over five pounds has to be considered an excellent day on the water. Winning their first ever Savage Catfish Tournament championship was the trio of: Jerame Schephens, Loren Kutzler, and Randall Obergfell. The local anglers are the 10th different team to win this tournament, as there has never been a repeat winner. Their winning weight of 7.840 lbs. eclipsed the previous tournament record set by the Mueller brothers last year at 7.830 lbs. Speaking of the defending champs, Chad Mueller and Jusin Verhasselt teamed up with Brandon Mueller to nearly defend their crown. They weighed an impressive basket of cats that would end up tipping the scales at 6.710 lbs. Rounding out the top three with 6.375 lbs. was Harlen Conradsen, Judy Conradsen, and Trisha Schepens. The local teams continue to make a huge impact on this event. Jesi Thiel, Teresa Weber and Rebecca Miller caught the biggest catfish of the tournament on Saturday, winning the separate big fish pot. The team’s fish was 15.82 pounds, another Savage Catfish Tournament record and a true fish of a lifetime.

May 31, 2013 by Montana Cats Staff

Sticking to the typical theme of unpredictability, the Cat Classic was back to its old tricks again this past weekend. Seemingly, every year, the anglers find themselves wrestling with rapidly rising waters or steadily plummeting conditions while also keeping an eye on the ever-changing weather conditions throughout the tournament week.

May 11, 2013 by Montana Cats Staff

The Montana Catfish Association hosted the 7th Annual Yellowstone Challenge Catfish tournament this past weekend in Huntley. After a long and grueling winter, the anglers were anxious to get out on the water and compete against some familiar faces. Several talented out of town teams, coupled with an abundance of veteran local anglers battled for the right to call themselves Yellowstone Challenge champs. This was perhaps the most star-studded cast in Montana Cats history, with over 19 individual catfish championships scattered throughout the field.

May 03, 2013 by MT Cats Staff

Lewellen, NE 5/4/13 – The 16th Annual Lake McConaughy Catfish Classic took place over the weekend and impressive baskets once again littered the weigh-ins. With the lake being down dramatically from last year, it forced some teams to change up their approach. Some teams undoubtedly struggled with the difference in water levels, while others seemed to have adjusted without fault. As with any other year of this event, every team has to deal with the difficult decision of fishing the lake in the comforts of their boat or hoofing it on the banks of the North Platte River in search of some success from the shore. The decision you ultimately make can make the difference in an appearance near the top of the leader board or one that has you bringing up the rear.

For the second consecutive year, Kevin Robertson and Doug Canning manned their airboat up the river to produce a ten fish limit that no one else could challenge. Robertson and Canning are the first to win back-to-back titles since tournament results started being recorded. And for the second straight year, the team that they nipped for the top prize was their sons. Nathan Robertson and Jeremy Canning, also fishing from an airboat, claimed the runner-up trophy for the second consecutive year. As if last years loss of less than one pound to their fathers wasn’t enough already, the duo would come up less than 1 1/2 pounds short this go around. Excruciating losses for family bragging rights for the both of them, but an unbelievable performance nonetheless for the second straight year. Both of these teams deserve a ton of credit for winning last year and then coming back and proving no luck was involved. As of right now, they all deserve the title of “Cat Classic Kings”.

The top ten looked eerily similar to previous years, especially last year. Seven of the top 10 teams from 2012 returned to the top ten this year. Last years third place team of Mark Canning and Alex Canning finished a very respectable 10th place. Finishing in third place this year was Kendal Kessler and Bob Mallard. As was the case with the top two teams, Kessler and Mallard also targeted their cats in the North Platte River throughout the day. Nathan Robertson and Jeremy Canning captured their own repeat of sorts over the weekend by capturing their second consecutive big fish award. Their cat tipped the scales at 12.72 lbs., the biggest cat caught at the Classic in many years. Two other cats were weighed in at over 11 lbs., proving the big fish are definitely out there to be caught.

The Lake Mac Cat Classic just never seems to disappoint. Every year it is one of the most well attended events in catfish tournament rich Nebraska. The teams come back every single year to Darrell and crew at The Oregon Trail Trading Post. Everyone comes back because they put on a truly fine event. Do yourself a favor and pencil in May 3rd, 2014 for the 17th version of this tournament. You will be treated to a calcutta and social on Friday night complete with a free team meal and Saturday will provide you with ten hours of non-stop tournament action. Please enjoy the complete results from this past weekend.

February 28, 2013 by MT Cats Staff

In the sport of catfishing, there is probably only one thing that can compare to the adrenaline rush you receive when landing and releasing a trophy. That one thing is the smell of spring thaw and the thought of open water. Now that March is upon us and the peak of winter has come to pass it is time to start looking forward to the new season. All of us here at Montana Cats cannot wait to get 2013 kicked off with a bang. Before you know it, you will be gripping that rod, smiling, and waiting with nervous anticipation for your first big “thump” of the season. Lets hope that first one, is truly a memorable one, and starts this season off right.