If you’re into catfish tournament fishing, this video is a must-watch. From sunrise in Alabama to a wild leaderboard comeback, it’s a full day on the water with unexpected twists and hard-earned payoffs. For those looking to get involved or learn more about events like this, check out KingKat Tournament Trail for upcoming catfish tournament dates and info.
Catfish Tournament on Wheeler Reservoir
The tournament day starts early with a calm Alabama sunrise and high hopes on Wheeler Reservoir. With only eight hours to fish and three catfish needed for a total score (any mix of blues, flatheads, or channel cats), the pressure was on.
The angler kicked off the day launching into Elk River, a new spot for him. Despite a promising map, the morning was brutally slow — not a single bite or sign of life. After nearly five hours of dragging baits and switching spots, he finally made the call to move to First Creek — a game-changing decision.
It didn’t take long to pay off.
Suddenly, the action picked up. Within minutes, he landed two solid fish measuring in the 30- to 40-inch range, pushing him to the top of the live leaderboard.
With fresh gizzard shad on the line and his kayak dragging rigs doing the work, he worked the same flat near the mouth of the creek and kept upgrading his total.
The highlight of the tournament was a 41-inch catfish that momentarily gave him the lead for big fish. But as the day wore on, other anglers — including YouTuber Spencer from River Certified — started to submit their catches. Spencer eventually overtook him in the big fish category with a massive 46.75-inch cat.
As the wind picked up and bass boats started rolling in for their own tournament, the decision was made to pack up early and avoid the traffic. It paid off. When all fish were submitted, he ended up in second place overall with a total of 111.5 inches, just behind the winner.
What started as a frustrating morning on unfamiliar water turned into a leaderboard-climbing afternoon full of excitement. Lessons were learned: trust your instincts, don’t be afraid to move, and yes — peanut butter granola bars might just be the new lucky charm.
For fans of kayak catfishing, competitive fishing, and real-world strategy on the water, this tournament breakdown offers both entertainment and insight.
Check out KingKatUSA.com for more on upcoming catfish tournament events, rules, and registration info.
“When the bite turns off, a real angler digs deeper—sometimes that means moving the kayak, changing the bait, or just trusting that gut feeling. And this guy did it all to land a spot on the podium.”
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Catfishing for Money - Wheeler Lake Alabama