Decatur, AL (April 25th, 2024) – SeaArk Boats successfully conducted the 13th Annual Owner’s Invitational Catfish Tournament on April 20th at Wheeler Lake, Decatur, Alabama. The event welcomed over 450 anglers and more than 180 teams, awarding over $100,000 in cash and prizes.
The event kicked off with a Captain’s Dinner on April 18th at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion, which also served as the final opportunity for tournament registration, adding to those who registered online by the April 15th deadline. Competitors launched from Ingalls Harbor, fishing within the Tennessee River system. Teams, consisting of up to three anglers, competed to catch the heaviest combined weight of five live catfish, adhering to local size restrictions.
Fishing started at 6:30 am and wrapped up at 2:30 pm on tournament day, with all teams required to check in by 3:30 pm. Mike and Jackson Mitchell, along with Rick Sexton, won first place, bringing in 160.58 pounds of catfish and earning a $9,000 prize.
The highlight of the tournament each year is the giveaway of a new SeaArk ProCat 200, equipped with a Suzuki engine and a Marine Master Trailer, alongside top-tier fishing equipment valued at $75,000. For each angler that catches at least one legal catfish during the tournament, their name is put into a drawing where three names are pulled. Each of the three selected anglers then chooses an ice cooler that has a key in it. Only one key is the winner! Zackary Murray of Wheelersburg, Ohio, won this prize with his key activating the winning console during the draw.
Steve Henderson, President of SeaArk Boats, commented, “This is our 13th year organizing this event, and every year that I attend, I am amazed at how the sport of catfishing continues to grow. We are proud to be a part of such a unique segment of the fishing industry.”
Jon Ed Rowe, Marketing Director of SeaArk Boats, stated, “Hosting this large number of anglers underscores our commitment to fostering a family-friendly environment and our appreciation of our customers.”
The SeaArk Boats Owner’s Invitational Catfish Tournament continues to be a vital gathering for catfishing enthusiasts, celebrating both the sense of community and the competitive spirit of the sport.
About SeaArk Boats: With over 63 years of experience in boat building, SeaArk Boats (owned by Correct Craft) is the industry’s premier aluminum fishing boat, known for outstanding product quality and excellent customer service. Mostly known for heavy-duty aluminum boats built specifically for cat-fishing, SeaArk also builds bass- and crappie-fishing boats, jon boats, duck boats, and bay boats, offering a wide variety of tunnel and jet tunnel hulls. For more information visit www.seaarkboats.com.
About Correct Craft: Celebrating 99 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com.