TOURNAMENT DETAILS
The Brookneal Catfish Tournament started in 2011 and is hosted by the Staunton River Masonic Lodge. Initially the tournament was held later in the summer, but was moved to coincide with the Brookneal Striped Bass Tournament to grow both tournaments. Fishermen can now compete in both tournaments on the same weekend. Since catfish are plentiful in the Staunton River year-round, merging the timing of the tournaments was a great opportunity to offer a full weekend of competitive fishing. Register in person on Friday for the Catfish and Striped Bass Tournaments.
TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS
Brookneal Boat Ramp
122 Radio Road
Brookneal VA
TOURNAMENT BOUNDARIES
Fishing is limited to the area between the Leesville Dam and the intersection of Difficult Creek and the Staunton River. There will be boats on the water to ensure everyone is within this zone.
LEADERBOARD ACCESS
The leaderboard can be accessed anytime during the tournament by calling (434)-257-4922.
ABOUT THE HOST
Staunton River Masonic Lodge #155 is located in Brookneal, Virginia. The Masonic Lodge hosts a number of events throughout the year including this catfish tournament, drive-through barbeque sale, and a blood drive. These events are fundraisers for the organization, which supports a variety of charitable causes in the Brookneal community.
Each year, Lodge #155 awards a scholarship in honor of Carleigh Shae Singleton, a William Campbell High School senior who died in a car crash. The $1000 scholarship is awarded each year to a a senior at William Campbell HS with plans to go into the medical field.
Their Community Builder Award goes to a community member that shows leadership and sets a good example for others. The Masons are focused on bettering the individual, organization and community. They strive to make a difference in Brookneal through the community they have created in the Masonic Lodge.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Brookneal Catfish Tournament started in 2011 and is hosted by the Staunton River Masonic Lodge. Initially the tournament was held later in the summer, but was moved to coincide with the Brookneal Striped Bass Tournament to grow both tournaments. Fishermen can now compete in both tournaments on the same weekend. With the striped bass making their yearly spawning journey out of Buggs Island/Kerr Reservoir upriver toward the Leesville Lake Dam, April is the peak time of year to fish for stripers in the Staunton River. Since catfish are plentiful in the Staunton River year-round, merging the timing of the tournaments was a great opportunity to offer a full weekend of competitive fishing. Register in person on Friday for the Catfish and Striped Bass Tournaments.
RULES & REGULATIONS
1 / Start/Stop Time
The tournament begins at 8:00pm Friday, April, 2023 and ends at 2:00 pm Sunday, April 23, 2023
2 / Live Weigh In
All fish must be alive when weighed in and be able to swim off on their own within 10 minutes of weighing in. Stringers are not allowed.
3 / Registration Deadline
Registration must be made prior to 8pm on Friday, April 21, 2023. Pre-register on-line before the tournament weekend. On-site registration will be held at the Brookneal Boat Landing from 11am on Friday until the tournament begins. Registration will not be permitted after 8pm on Friday, April 21, 2023.
4 / Children under 12
Children under the age of twelve may fish with their parents without being registered in the tournament. However, they will NOT be eligible for prize money.
5 / State Compliance
All Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries regulations must be followed. Tournament caught catfish will be made available to the DWR personnel for data collection upon request.
6 / Weigh-ins
Continuous weigh-ins will take place at the Brookneal Boat Landing throughout the tournament with the final awards being made at 2:15pm on Sunday, April 23, 2023. All fish must be weighed no later than 2pm on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Call (434) 257-4922 during the tournament for up-to-the-minute results.
7 / One Prize Per Person
Each person is only eligibly to win one place prize.
8 / Winning Fish
The largest single catfish caught and weighed prior to 2pm on Sunday will be declared the winning fish. In the case of a tie, the earliest fish checked in will be declared the winning fish. Each fisherman is only eligible to win one place regardless of the number of fish weighed.
9 / Area of the River
Fishing is limited to the area between the Leesville Dam and the intersection of Difficult Creek and the Staunton River. There will be boats on the water to ensure everyone is within this zone.
10 / Inspection
The Tournament Committee reserves the right to inspect any and all fish, maintains the right to disqualify any participant for violations of the tournament rules and may request a polygraph test. Tournament caught fish will also be made available to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries personnel for data collection upon their request.
11 / Protests
Any protest of the tournament must be in writing to the Tournament Committee by 2:30pm on Sunday, April 23, 2023.
12 / Disqualifications
Any registered entrant fishing in a boat with an unregistered fisherman shall be disqualified. All winning entries will be subject to certification by the Brookneal Catfish Tournament Committee