• Features

CCC Catfish Tournament has brief window to reel in winner

• By Dave Mast
• September 2, 2022
• 661

Hunting and fishing often go together for the avid outdoor crowd, and an upcoming event will put aspects of both outdoor sports together.

The annual Clark Community Center Catfish Tournament will be hosted by Clark Community Center, with check-in taking place Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. and weigh-in taking place Saturday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m.

According to CCC board member and event coordinator Taylor Faunce, one change in this year’s event is the weigh-in time, which was moved from the evening to 11 a.m.

“So many people like to fish for catfish through the night, so we moved the weigh-in up to 11 a.m. so they could get their catfish weighed in and then go release them. Some people prefer catch and release, so this works better for them,” Faunce said.

Other than that, it’s business as usual in an event designed to be all about anglers grabbing their fishing gear and heading to the local watering hole.

This event gives anglers a chance to get out and catch the biggest catfish they can reel in, bring it back to the CCC, have it weighed, and the winning fish will bring plenty of reward to the winner, as well as some bragging rights.

“We want people to just go out and have a whole lot of fun doing what they love doing,” Faunce said.

Part of the joy of this event is fishing and trying to snag the big one. The other enjoyable aspect of this fishing tournament is the CCC members encourage families to go out and enjoy the day together.

The entry cost is $20 for an individual age 16 and older while it is $30 for someone under the age of 15 to join an adult age 16 and older. In addition, Faunce said the fee is only $30 for an entire family with kids, which promotes going out and enjoying time together as a family.

“We like the idea of getting parents out there fishing with their kids and enjoying some quality time together,” Faunce said.

All participants must follow all state guidelines including having a proper fishing license, and they are not allowed to fish at pay lakes where fish are stocked. All entrants must fish and return before weigh-in to qualify for the prizes for biggest catfish.

The first-place prize is a Flueger spinning reel, second place is an insulated minnow bucket and third place is a minnow bucket aerator, all of which were supplied by Charm Outdoors.

All the proceeds from the tournament will go to the Clark Community Center educational outreach program.

If someone can’t make it by that time to sign in but would like to participate, they can opt for early entry by mailing their information along with an entry check to Taylor Faunce, 33609 Township Road 128, Coshocton, OH 43812. They also may drop off their entry information and entry fee and mail it to Clark Community Center, 1390 state Route 83, Millersburg, OH 44654.

“We invite people to sign up, and they can head off to wherever they like to fish,” Faunce said. “We’ve had a few people show up from places far outside of Holmes County, and it’s not convenient for them to come here in person and sign in, so they have the option to mail in their information and check. People can bring in their catfish dead or alive. As long as they have them back by 6 p.m. the next day, they will be weighed and entered.”

Faunce said they have had fun with the tournament the past two years, noting it is low key, relaxed and a chance for anglers to showcase their fishing skills.

“People can fish, show up and leave, or hang around and talk fishing following the weigh-in,” Faunce said. “It’s all about sharing time with those who also enjoy fishing.”

The CCC board also reminds the public that its second annual Dirt Road Dash and Poker Run will be Oct. 8. Keep an eye on The Bargain Hunter in the future for further details of this event.

Anyone with questions regarding the event can call Faunce at 330-231-3592.