2nd Annual World Class Open Bubba Jug Catfish Tournament
Tourney Winner Hauls In 19.84 lb. 'Cat'


Jug fishermen from three states gathered at Birdsong Resort and Marina, Camden, for the 2nd Annual World Class Open Bubba Jug Catfish Tournament June 21 and 22. Official "ooze off" was at 7:00 p.m. Saturday night, June 21, with weigh-in at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, June 22. Well over 500 lbs. of fish were hauled in for the big show down. Lots of tired faces awaited the calculations to determine the winners.

Bringing home the first place money was Dave Kimberly, Mt. Juliet, TN, with a total weight of 162.16. His brother, Scott Kimberly, Nashville, TN, brought home the second place money with 129.76 lbs. for weigh-in. Scott also took the "Big Whiskers" pot with a single fish weighing 19.64 lbs. Third place money was taken by Hugh McNaughten, Old Hickory, TN, with a 68.89 lb. total catch. Photo: BIG WHISKERS - Scott Kimberly, Nashville, took the "Big Whiskers" pot at the World Championship Open Bubba Jug Catfish Tournament. This second annual event was held at Birdsong Resort, Marina and Campground, Camden, TN, June 21 and 22. This optional pool is a competition for the overall largest, single fish caught. Kimberly also took home second place in the over all tournament.

The Bubba Jug Catfish Tournament features a 75% payback system. Taking in the remaining paid places were Donald Pryor, Laurel, MS; Ray Hunt, Cedar Lakes, IL; James McCord, Centerville, TN; Edmond Luther, Murfreesboro, TN; A.W. Johnson, Murfreesboro, TN; Bill Watson, Nashville, TN; Venson Atkins, Smyrna, TN; and Bob Sistrunk, Franklin, TN.

As the fish were hauled in, over 75 lbs. of Alligator Gar came across the table in addition to the weighed catfish. The Gar is a species of fish that is not considered to be edible, and is a predator to the game fish of our local waters. Most who fish for Gar enjoy the tremendous fight they present and do it mainly for sport.

Mr. Kent Wasmuth, previously from Nashville's Opryland Resort, was amongst the crowd of spectators for Sunday'stournament. Wasmuth, is the president of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and is considering making this a cross promotion with the tourism industry of New Orleans. A category will be added next year to the World Class Open - "Gator Gar." The sport fisherman who takes the first place prize will receive a dinner for two at a New Orleans bistro in the French Quarters and hotel accommodations compliments of the New Orleans CVB. Airfare from Nashville or any major city that Southwest Airlines flies to New Orleans will be compliments of Birdsong Resort and Marina.

Due to popular demand, structure of the 2004 tournament will be adjusted to incorporate the use of rod and reels, as well as jugs. Next year's event will also feature a time slot selections of 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. 2004 marks the addition of the "Gator Gar" facet, there will be a total of six tournaments a fisherman can fish any or all of during the two day period. For photos of this tournament and upcoming events visit www.BirdsongResort.com and view the news or calendar of events, or call 731-584-7880.





"GATOR GAR" TOURNAMENT FOR 2004 - 2001 Champion Bob Sistrunk displayed one of the two Gars in his catch. As the fish were hauled in, over 75 lbs. of Alligator Gar came across the table in addition to the weighed catfish. The Gar is a species of fish that is not considered to be edible, and is a predator to the game fish of our local waters. Most who fish for Gar enjoy the tremendous fight they present and do it mainly for sport. Big prizes have been posted for a new segment of next years' tournament that will be added in 2004 by the New Orleans CVB.










PAYBACK WINNERS - First place money was overtaken by Dave Kimberly, Mt. Juliet, TN with 162.16 lbs. Second place was taken with 129.76 lbs. by Scott Kimberly, Nashville. Hugh McNaughten captured the third place money with a whopping 68.89 lbs. Taking in the remaining paid places were Donald Pryor, Laurel, MS; Ray Hunt, Cedar Lakes, IL; James McCord, Centerville, TN; Edmond Luther, Murfreesboro, TN; A.W. Johnson, Murfreesboro, TN; Bill Watson, Nashville, TN; Venson Atkins, Smyrna, TN; and Bob Sistrunk, Franklin, TN.