THE SHOALS-Local anglers can turn their ability to catch crappie from Pickwick and Wilson lakes into cash and prizes.
A Crappie USA fishing tournament on the lakes Saturday, March 31, is open to local anglers. Crappie anglers from throughout the South and Midwest will compete. Weigh-in for the tournament, which is sponsored by Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau, begins at 3 p.m. at Riverfront Park, 1416 Alabama Ave., Sheffield.
Susann Hamlin, president and CEO of Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau, said in addition to opportunities for Shoals anglers to win cash and prizes, the tournament will provide a boost to the local economy.
“The anglers and their families will be staying in our hotels, eating at our restaurants, buying fuel and fishing tackle and
shopping,” she said. “We are excited to be hosting America’s premier national crappie fishing tournament organization on two of our nation’s premier crappie fishing lakes. There will also be a fishing rodeo for children.”
A Crappie Kids Fishing Rodeo, presented by Colbert County Tourism and Sheffield Parks and Recreation, will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 31 at Riverfront Park. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The fishing rodeo is free for youths 12 and younger who are accompanied by an adult. Lunch will be provided. In addition to competing for trophies and other prizes for the top youth anglers, all participants will be eligible for one of six $1,000 Crappie USA college scholarships that will be awarded at the 2018 Crappie USA Classic in October. For more details call 256-383-0783.
Entry fee for the adult tournament is $125 per team in the Amateur Division and $250 per team in the Professional Division. Teams may consist of one angler or two. A third angler is allowed on a team if one is 15 years old or younger. All participants must be a member of the American Crappie Association. Membership is $30 for adults and $15 for spouse or youth members. More details are available at www.crappieusa.com or by calling 502-384-5924.
A pre-tournament seminar will be at 7 p.m. Friday, March 30 at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia.
Sheffield Mayor Ian Sanford is also excited about the tournament.
“It’s always great to have Crappie USA come to town. They bring in a lot of people who spend a lot of money. What they do for the children with their Crappie Kids rodeo is just fantastic.”
