2011 Bass Pro Shop's Big Cat Quest held April 9, 2011 Columbus, Georgia Results

Congratulations to the winners of the Columbus, Ga. Big Cat Quest Larry Muse and Dino Meador of Corinth, Mississippi with a dominating 145.80lb five fish weigh-in. Dino Meador of the winning duo sported the Big Fish of the day with a 42.15lb blue cat. Second place at this stop went to the team of Lonnie Fountain, David Bruce, and Jonathon Chastain of Jasper, Georgia with 114.80lbs in five fish. Third place was taken by husband and wife team Donnie and Audrey Fountain of Ranger, Georgia who weighed 66.35lbs. Fourth place went to the team who traveled the longest distance to be in the tournament Sam Brooks and John Raines of Lafayette, Indiana weighed in 51.10lbs to take fourth place. Hill jack Catfishings own Shane Smith, Dan Kessler and young angler Ian Kessler of Columbus, Georgia rounded out the top five winning teams with 49.55lbs total weight.
This BCQ event was held April 09, 2011, in Columbus, Ga. on the Chattahoochee River. This was an team tournament and above listed weights are based on a up to five fish total weigh-in. Number of entries for this first time Columbus stop was 23 teams from the states of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, and Mississippi.
At the BCQ all young anglers 12yrs and younger fish for free, we were very proud to have six young anglers participate at this stop. Mega praise to David Bruce and Jonathon Chastain of Jasper, Georgia these young anglers where the top young guns and took home a $100.00 for their efforts.
Total cash payback for the tournament was $5,300.00 cash and $600.00 in give a ways and prizes making the total payback tournament value $5900.00 for this first time stop.
Tournament day began with temps in the fifties, partly cloudy skies, 30% chance of rain, a southern wind reaching up to 20 miles per hour, The weather pattern by noon had changed with temps in the seventys with only light winds and a beyond beautiful spring day that felt like early summer. At three pm roll call we ended the tournament day with a beautiful 80 plus degree finish.
This was an awesome tournament held in conjunction with the Frog Hollow Festival that sported live music, great food, and tons of activities. Thanks to the festival for bringing the winners on the center stage where the attending crowd got to see the 42.15lb Chattahoochee Blue Catfish up close and personal.
A very special thanks to Shane Smith and the Hill jack Catfish Club for helping us plan this event. And a huge mega thanks to The Columbus Sports Council and their staff Coach, Merri, David, Richard and the entire volunteer staff that helped us with the event you folks truly exhibit the finest example of professionalism and true southern hospitality your help made this event a true success.