By Robin Burton, Economic Development Council
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Bass Pro Shop’s Big Cat Quest Tournament will be taking place on the banks of the Cumberland River in Clarksville, Tenn. on Saturday, April 26. at McGregor Park, 640 N Riverside Dr.
The courtesy docks located at the park will be closed on Saturday to accommodate the tournament participants.
The Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest is an annual catfish tournament with big competition and big prizes. The tournaments take place over several months, in different cities, and end with a championship event in the fall that is typically televised for a national audience.
Over 100 anglers from Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana can be expected to participate in the Bass Pro Shop Big Cat Quest event.
According to Ken Freeman, all active duty military with an ID and wounded warriors are welcome to register and fish for free at this event.
The Cumberland River and its tributaries reachable by boat are all fair game for the individuals competing this year.
Boats will begin going in the water after midnight on Saturday, but anglers will not be allowed to leave the ramp waters until 4 a.m. and the real competition will begin at 6 a.m. The fishing will come to an end at 4 p.m. when all those competing will be back at the boat dock for the final roll call and the big weigh-in. A one-day comprehensive weigh-in of the best five fish will provide an overall best weight and will decide the winner.
The event is open to the public. Registration for the event will be held Friday, April 25 at the weigh-in site at McGregor Park, from 3-8 p.m.
Those interested in watching the event and the weigh-in on Saturday can park at the north end of the Cumberland RiverWalk, near the River Center.
For more information visit www.bigcatquest.com or call Ken Freeman at 731-234-1888. For information on accommodations while visiting Clarksville, visit www.clarksvillecvb.com.