Louisville, K– Catfish anglers from several states will travel to the Ohio River at Paducah, KY to compete in Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail. Local and traveling anglers will be vying for cash, prizes, and an opportunity to compete at the 2018 King Kat Classic which will feature a guaranteed payout of $110,000 in cash and prizes.

Anglers in the August 24-25, 2018 Super Event will be testing their catfishing skills against other anglers and whatever Mother Nature has in store. The ramp at Paducah is one of the largest ramps on the Ohio River. It is 18 or 20 lanes wide with plenty of boat parking. The water is shallow at the ramp, so use caution when you launch.

There is a variety of manmade structure and cover in this area of the pool and the barges have been know to produce some trophy flatheads.

Teams may consist of one or two anglers, with a third allowed if the angler is under the age of 16 or over 65 years of age. Early registration can be accomplished on the King Kat website at https://www.kingkatusa.com/Tournament_Registration.cfm. Teams may also enter by calling (502) 384-5924 or by entering at the mandatory pre-tournament seminar on the night before the tournament begins. Late entries are subject to a $25.00 late fee.

Participating angers must be a member of the King Kat Association (KKA). Membership is $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for spouse and youth memberships. Other membership levels are outlined on the King Kat website. Each membership will include a subscription to the official publication of the King Kat Association, one of the top catfishing fishing publications in the nation.
 

A pre-tournament seminar will be held the day before the tournament at Days Inn

3901 Hinkleville Rd, Paducah, KY 42001.

Sign up will begin at 5:00 pm. A National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing starts at 7:00 pm local time. This seminar is open to the public. Those individuals not fishing the event are encourage to attend and meet top catfish anglers from several different states. 
 

The tournament weigh-in will be held on Saturday at the Ohio River Boat Launch, 275 Burnett St., Paducah, KY beginning at 3:00 pm. This is the perfect opportunity for non-competitors to learn how the big ones are caught. Interviews of the top 5 teams are conducted following the weigh-in.

Paducah Convention & Visitor's Bureau welcomes all King Kat anglers and their guests to the area and hope they take the opportunity to enjoy the local attractions.

Host lodging is provided by the Days Inn, 3901 Hinkleville Rd, Paducah, KY (270-442-7500). The number of rooms in the area may be limited. It is recommended that participants make their reservations early.

A FREE Catfish Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held in conjunction with the tournament. Sign up is Saturday morning at Bob Noble Park, 2801 Park Ave., Paducah, KY 42001.

The event is free of charge and open to all youth 12 years old and younger. All participating children must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up is from 8:00 am until 9:00 am with fishing from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. The Fishing Rodeo is a chance for children of the area to get out and enjoy nature, do a little fishing and win some prizes. All participants are eligible for a chance to win one of six $1,000 scholarships presented by Outdoor Promotions. The scholarships are awarded annually at the Cabela's King Kat Classic. 

Outdoor Promotions and participating anglers have contributed $350,000.00 to youth scholarships since 1997. They are very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in the tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Outdoor Promotions Kids Fishing Rodeos.

The Classic Championship

This year’s Cabela’s King Kat Classic Championship will be held September 13–15, 2018 on the Ohio River at Jeffersonville, Indiana. It features a guaranteed payout of $110,000 in cash and prizes.

Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail sponsors include: Cabela's, Adventure Products EGO Nets, RigRap, B 'n' M Poles, Minn Kota, Mercury Marine, Mustad Hooks, Driftmaster Rodholders, Gamma Line, Humminbird Electronics, World Fishing Network (WFN), Rippin' Lips, Cat River Anchors, Sunsect Sunscreen & Insect Repellent, Humminbird Lakemaster Maps, Digital EFX Wraps, Tentology, Gill Rainwear, CatfishNow Online Magazine, Whisker Wear Apparel, The Original Clearboard, Extreme Bait Systems, Katfish Clothing and Excel Boats.

For more information on the championship and other King Kat activities visit their website at www.kingkatusa.com. Anglers can also follow the trail on Cabela's King Kat Facebook Page.