In five short years, the Monsters on the Ohio catfishing tournament has grown into the “Superbowl of Catfishing.” Hundreds of teams from across the country compete for cash prizes, as their largest five fish of the day are weighed in front of the crowd.
There’s something intrinsically exciting about watching the best catfishermen and women in the country holding up their 40, 50, and 60lb. “monster” catfish. Cameras snap. Kids scream. The crowd cheers and claps.
The two-person teams are just as excited as the crowd. “They come here and they feel like rock stars,” organizer Aaron Wheatley said. “They know there’s gonna be big crowds. They love the new riverfront and Smother’s Park. Owensboro rolls out the red carpet for these guys, and they love it!”
Catfishing tournaments are now an economic goldmine for Owensboro. Riding the success of Monsters, several other tournament trails have come to Owensboro, as well.
Jared Bratcher, Sports Marketing Director for the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, says “Owensboro is known as the BBQ and bluegrass capital of the world. Now we would like to be known as the catfish capital of the world, too.”
Come down to English Park at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 10 and witness the excitement of Monsters on the Ohio for yourself.
