Are Catfish Fishing Tournaments Doomed?

In this catfish fishing podcast I discuss the history of catfishing tournaments, where catfish tournament are now, and what the future may hold for catfish tournaments nationwide. Catfishing tournaments have been around for decades, and they have evolved in recent years. I think more needs to change in the catfish fishing tournament world for the payouts to increase.
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[@DieterMelhorn]

One of my most controversial podcast based on the DM's, phone calls, text messages and KZbin responses. I never expected that. Apparently some feelings were hurt, and I plan to address that in a podcast within the next few days. For the other 95% of you, you'll enjoy that podcast too.......😜

[@MikeStokesFishing76]

I'm with you. I read over the comments and see so many people feels hurt. And saying that everything you talked about had been done. I think it's all good ideas.

[@PalmettoCats]

Children get their feelings hurt. This is about intellectual property. I’ve already had one guy steal my intellectual property and make thousands. In this discussion, we’re talking about the intellectual property of several people.

[@PalmettoCats]

Hmm online tournaments…. Never thought of that! Hahaha

[@FishinNStuff]

Yeah , That Glenn guy sure is innovative 😅

[@user-nz7dz4qt7v]

I watched a utube in which Justin from Kayak Catfishing in which the caught the fish, took a picture on a measuring board and texted the picture to the tournament directors and there was an online view of where Justin stood. After the picture was taken the catfish was released. I thought that a good format.

[@jellie_fishes]

Saw that too. I think it is a great idea also. I liked the fact that they give each fisherman a personal identifier that has to be in the pic of the fish and that the pic has to have a time stamp and GPS location. You will never completely stop cheaters, but that goes pretty far to do so.

[@DieterMelhorn]

Justin is a great angler.....

[@931tow]

Good subject. Myself, I am not interested in catfish tournaments for various reasons and really prefer they not take place. My reason against them altogether is that they remove the fish from their spawning grounds during the spawn and threaten the survivability of the fish by keeping them in livewells for extended periods. Since you are required to have massive livewells with complicated airation systems to preserve the fish is my biggest deterrent. If the adopted the kayak version of going by length instead of weight and taking a picture of the fish, then immediately release it would be better. I realize it would present another opportunity for cheating but that is the biggest reason I avoid tournaments now. I've witnessed it being done and prefer to avoid it.

[@chrisclay1502]

We love our small local club tournaments and nearby club collaboration tournaments. We have even talked about doing some one on ones in between tournament dates. What I loved about your views were the single rod or no electronics etc. That would be a fun thing to try.

[@scottymiskell929]

I think the youtube catfish tournament sounds like a great idea! Yourself, Catfish Dave, Spencer Bauer, Micah Burkhart, etc. I couldn’t imagine not tuning in for that!!

[@bradreynoldsbtcatfishingad7656]

Fishing companies need to sponsor two man KZbin fishing personality teams. 5,000 entrance fee. ESPN airs the event and the gaming world gets involved to place bets. Two fish limit per team. 10 team limit.

[@MyHebrews]

I love it, catfishing is boring 95% of the time🤣. When I take my grandkids fishing for fish, we fish for Crappie. When we fish for catfish, I take their Tablets. There. 9 and 5, making fishing fun and not boring is important. We Love your videos, thank you.

[@DieterMelhorn]

Well played sir! Make fishing fun….I like that!!

[@MikeStokesFishing76]

I'm with you. I don't fish tournaments personally and I agree I think you should only be a one fish limit I also think the largest test line you should be allowed to use is 20 lb let's put some skill back into these catfishing tournaments

[@CatfishandCrappie]

Oh 1v1? You mean like I originated on my channel. Right after Chad at Fields To Water started online catfish tournaments? The "Wheel of Steal" in catfishing never stops turning! This is why catfishing will never be like Bass or Walleye. Glen at the ACA doesn't do anything for catfishing but hold it back to line his pockets. Oh and prize money for tournaments should come from the ones that benefit from it. I won't get started on that...

[@DieterMelhorn]

My newly learned term; "1v1".....I've honestly never heard that one before! Great topic for another podcast!

[@F.O.A.C-G]

Love the info and your perspective dieter. The only thing i would disagree with is the 1v1 type social media stuff has been going on for a few years now, so the ACA didnt start this (yeah they are the most recognized though). Just sayin, oh and Lyle is gonna get ya 😂

[@PalmettoCats]

Yeah, we've also done the 1 rod things and the no sonar stuff.

[@hookersterminaltackle]

From 1998 to 2007 my tournament was a 1 fish weigh in. But we also had individual sign ins even with teams.

[@HookedOnCats]

Great video. A lot of good points made to get people thinking. Kudos to you. 👍🏼

[@jeffreyneely9283]

Totally enjoyed video Dieter . Great info.💯

[@DieterMelhorn]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@geneoverbey7849]

Enjoy watching your videos. You have a lot of great ideas. I have fished tournaments since the first ones in the early 90's and I see there's still a bunch of drama. I don't think that's ever going to change, simply because without it they can't make big $$. The viewers like drama. It also doesn't help that everyone has to be #1 and can't handle that another fisherman is either just better or simply just luckier on a given day. What ever happened to just being congratulatory to a winner and working for the next one. It's not only fishing, that's just life in general.

[@eddiegoodman9267]

Well I been doing catfish tournament since 2017 and I enjoy it very much. But i do Jug Fishing Tournaments. Called Tug n Jug of Oklahoma. We are always looking for a way to show others of the fun we have. Because we are trying to change the image of the jug fishing world. We run a Family Orientated Tournaments. We fish the whole weekend and camp together and two weight in. I do like the ideas of the changs your proposaing. Thanks for telling us your thoughts and different views.

[@Malie_Buckz]

Sounds fun af!!! I gotta look into this

[@braddavis1028]

Mike Mitchell is one of the best fishermen and catfish guides around

[@fatfishdesignzllc]

thank you for your honesty,

[@jesseayers7933]

fishing one on one , one rod , no fish finder , every two hours shift location and every now and then throw in some kind of a twist .. you betcha I'd watch shows like that . keep mum the good work.

[@colbyparker8926]

Fix the title bud. Big fan just trying to help

[@KennyK60]

As always enjoyed the pod cast! Some interesting stuff!

[@davidransom4476]

I was glad to see some tournaments have gone to weighing the fish in the boat and immediately releasing them at bass tournaments. When I went on a guided bass fishing trip in Florida long ago the guide mentioned dead fish floating up the next day in the area they were released, before the gators got them.

[@DieterMelhorn]

I personally love this format…..

[@fishin-impossible2992]

Lee Floyd runs Catfish USA river hogs and its a great Series,

[@HazLife]

Wow genius idea 💡 to bad live stream catfishing tournaments have been around in the community for years Chad, and palmetto have hosted dozens of them. Can’t agree with the originality of the tournaments coming from ACA . I will agree with you on entertainment has to drive the online tournament world to bring in money, sponsors , and viewers. There are some big names brewing in the catfish community the reach goes a lot further then KZbin.

[@DieterMelhorn]

The difference is, none of those tournaments were concerned with the commercial success of their endeavor, and that’s ok. I speaking about that possibility of something bigger being brought to the masses.

[@shoalscatfishjonathan]

That was interesting, never done tournament fishing nor a catfishing tournament and I learned a lot from this podcast. 👍

[@DieterMelhorn]

Thank you for watching!!

[@carlericpickett597]

No sonar and one rod sounds great. I would watch that or participate. The one problem I have is where are the shore catfish tournaments? Everyone doesn't have a boat or can't be in one. Great content. Thank you for talking about this. They should have a bank tournament for spinning reels only. Lol.

[@2StansFishing]

We have hosted multiple bank tournaments on our channel, with anglers from the James River, to the Tennessee to the Mississippi. We also host a live catfishing show every Sunday morning from 9am to noon. N there is already multiple live streaming tournies that not only us , but multiple other channels host where there is rules like what Dieter mentioned , no electronics on new water, can only use 1rod, 1 bait , etc etc . None of these r new ideas they r streaming live every week. We even have a Live Tournament Fishing League hosted by Palmetto Cats✌️✌️

[@jonboatmorava9115]

You're implying that poor people matter 😅😅😅 all hobbies are now over ran by folks with money. It's all commercialized now. Money money money!

[@2StansFishing]

@@jonboatmorava9115 if ur reply was for me I am a poor person. 😂 we fish from bank or John boat with a 15 hp that was given to us, n my cousins old Helix 5. But I was just answering the original reply about bank tournies.

[@jonboatmorava9115]

@@2StansFishing nah bud, first it's just a joke, also if I were talking to you I would of replied to you personally. You don't have to defend yourself 😂 poor people don't have boats though I promise you that. Come in over to my neighborhood I'll show ya. 😂

[@Nunyabusiness75]

Where’s the bluegill tournaments. My little girl would dominate those 😂

[@AEStudt]

Very interesting Dieter. Thank you good video

[@joshrushing1294]

What happened to the Yadkin mastercatters tournament. Anybody know if and when it's coming back??

[@OWAJeremey]

Our club just went to 3 fish. We do a lot of channel cat waters but our channels are 15-30 pounds

[@Netacat51]

More shows on tv about catfishing would help

[@HomesickforAlaska]

I like your insights and thoughts on tournaments. I am 62 and have always been an avid fisherman but even during the "Glory Years" of BASS I was never really that interested in watching tournament's on TV much. With the changes in technology I think the tournament's need to change also. These days it seems I am much more likely to run into someone who knows of Dieter, Dave, or Richard then knows who Roland is. For my part I would be much more likely to watch a tournament, (most likely on my tablet on my boat) if I had a connection, even if only implied, to the participants such as Steve Douglas, Catfish Dave, Dieter Melhorn, etc. I have watched more fishing in the last 5 years on youtube by a HUGE margin, then in my previous 57 years watching fishing on tv. The tournaments need to figure out a format to tap into that.

[@3939steve]

Drama is the exact reason I refuse to fish tournaments

[@uglyfrog7263]

I watch for your comments, no one else.

[@Mrbartone19651]

I have a question Dieter Melbourne. Off topic lol but what Carrera sunglasses do you have? The ones you were wearing in the, how to change your luck episode, I want a pair. Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@DieterMelhorn]

I wear Costa sunglasses. The ones I wear most of the time are the Zane model….they fit big heads…😜

[@Mrbartone19651]

@@DieterMelhorn well I have a huge head also sir! lol. I thought they were Carrera. Sorry. I’ll have to check those Costa’s out! Thanks a million for replying! 🙏🏼

[@aaronmichaelmudd9261]

Hallelujah dieter Melhorne!!!! I’m a cat fisherman on Reelfoot lake in west Tennessee, I haven’t signed up in the local annual tournament yet but I heard the same guy wins it every year and something’s fishy lol. Every tournament needs rules and regulations

[@nateskinner6999]

I'm an avid catfish fishing guy and we had a tournament on the pool I fish this last summer. The rules skipped over guys like me because of live well restrictions. Would of been fun to fish against those guys. I like how want to mix up the rules and hopefully that is one that can be changed.

[@ronniebotteron9924]

I want to see you and Dave head to head same lake same bait GO lol i wouldn't miss one minute of that

[@NorthernviewOutdoors]

I'd love to do some tournaments but most use a buddy system and never get a partner on board. Thought of doing a live stream if I was ever able to do one. However like you said it could be boring. I've tried to be interactive during two streams I've done but also need someone watching too 😂.

[@FieldstoWater]

I created online catfish tournaments over 4 years ago. Glenn didn't come up with anything. Just another stolen idea and trying to make money off it. BTW day 3 of the 4th annual winter blues will be this coming Saturday on my channel where it all started at 9am eastern.

[@TheWeekendAngler]

Chad, you were doing online tournaments before a single dollar was swindled by the ACA.

[@FieldstoWater]

Yep and just one in person tournaments where Glenn is swindling peoples people out of money he's going to get in on the online too.

[@PalmettoCats]

I've personally seen ideas in our small live community be used with no recognition. That's about to change though.

[@CatfishandCrappie]

Yep I am tired of these jokers stealing the idea of small creators. They are like politicians!

[@FieldstoWater]

@CatfishandCrappie exactly like em! Don't support any of us but want to steal it all for themselves.

[@PopPopJoe]

I agree with you 5 fish is way to many! 2-3 is fair enough on the fish! 1 is OK also! Catfish first!!

[@TravisTarver60]

Who was “Joe Smo” never heard of him?

[@jellie_fishes]

I think you hit on a great idea. Think about a tournament without sonar. Navionics would probably love to pitch some money at the purse if some top fishermen could show us new guys how it can be done without a few thousand bucks in electronics.

[@DieterMelhorn]

It’s way too controversial for the catfish world….

[@MikeStokesFishing76]

100 agree with you on that then you can have Bank fishermen against boat fishermen and they're on an equal playing field 100 % bank catfisherman here

[@2StansFishing]

These r not new ideas, take a look at some of the live streaming Catfish tournies that r already out there n open for even weekend anglers to enter. We fished a “no electronics on board, n must fish new water “ tournament on @Muskrat Adventures channel. N the last tournie we just fished in Winter Blues on Fields to Water channel our old Helix 5 finally went out n we managed to catch a 40 lb blue using just Navionics n old school reading the water. ✌️

[@MikeStokesFishing76]

@@2StansFishing I follow all of y'all and I've never heard or seen any of this that's exactly what he's talking about no one knows

[@splitsandpens]

Tournaments that are not for the entertainment of the contestants are soon turned in to corporate whoredom. I never watch any fish tourney.

[@jessewilcox8654]

Me and a friend was talking about this same thing probably 3 or4 months ago We were saying to get some talk about catfishing and get some hype for a tournament they should bring in some youtubers and have a small KZbin tournament and put some good anglers on with them to get their name out there I was telling him they should put you catfish Dave and Luke from cats and carp Whoever they choose it has to be somebody that can keep a conversation going to keep the people's interest

[@The_Reel_Angler]

I think fishing in general has gotten expensive. I feel like anglers now days not only have to worry about not being able to fish tournaments because of these big buy ins. But not being able to compete with other anglers in these tournaments because the cost of the boats, electronics, gear, etc etc. And I think these smaller tournaments that I fish here in southern Indiana are those good ole boy type tournaments and kids cancer benefits were your not pressured into having 60,000 dollars in gear just to compete. Which those tournaments are a lot of fun and the money at the benefit ones go to the kids. And isn’t that what fishing as a sport is about. Having fun with your buddies, fishing for a good cause, and getting out on the water. That’s just my thoughts. I’m just rambling lol. Love the podcast brother!

[@DieterMelhorn]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching.

[@aaronmichaelmudd9261]

Something needs to change in other words. Hope to see you at cat con

[@DieterMelhorn]

Hoping to be there….

[@Juanny2023]

What are the premier tournaments

[@JugginMikeBoozer]

Sounded like a challenge.

[@chuckspires-hl8md]

The Catcast presented by ....., whatcha rekon!

[@mr.kittywhiskers5636]

I do Catfish Mafia Tournament Series here in Pennsylvania ... channelcats and when it's warmer flatheadcatfish .. must be alive when released or that fish doesn't count

[@DieterMelhorn]

Awesome on the live release!!

[@raylowry1265]

I'm not advocating for tournaments because I'm not interested in them personally. But, if they're going to have them, why not run it similar to the kayak tournament and have digital leaderboard maintained with pictures?

[@Rickybobbyfishing]

You got danny king hes the dale Earnhardt of catfishing

[@DieterMelhorn]

I would not call him "the dale Earnhardt of catfishing"....Phil King would be closer.....😜

[@hippiecatfishing4145]

Entertainment and drama is why the social media fisherman is becoming so successful. Nobody wants to watch angry old men sit there and say nothing while we watch the back of their heads. Change is here. Thats why at 45 years old, i started a tictok. Gotta roll with it.

[@DieterMelhorn]

One of the most intuitive comments i've seen in a while......

[@RaisedOutdoors]

I think from reading the comments, that the KZbin content creators that hold free entry fun online tournaments misunderstood your point. That your concern and context is about money generating tournaments and how to reach the masses on broadcast TV and revenue generation. As a fringe part of the KZbin community, to their credit the live format catfishing community generates sales promoting their favorite products and have created small businesses from their own products. I myself have watched several and the chat is what keeps people entertained between catches. Back to my point, I believe that it was misunderstood what groups and audience you were referring to.

[@DieterMelhorn]

I think you’re exactly right…..

[@robbiesmith9786]

I like a 3 fish limit my live well on the sea ark only hold that Manny 60lb fish but I'm about to give up turnments people turn into ass holes when they are money on the line

[@RiverRat3030]

Awesome awesome video my friend and always #NCSTRONG 🙏❤

[@HawgWyldFishing]

A big problem with catfishing in a tournament format, is the sponsorships. B.A.S.S. Doesn’t have such high payouts by accident. They have a ton of sponsors who actually invest money and resources into the tournaments, not just use them as nearly free advertisements. Catfishing doesn’t really have that on a broad scale. It hasn’t been tapped into yet, for a variety of different reasons.

[@niceguydmm]

Never fished one on any Catawba chain lakes an been fishing these lakes 40 years. I think they kill to many fish!!! You know some die every time they keep them in live-wells all day and drop them on their heads for a picture etc... Plus I have nothing to prove and don't support fish for profit actvities - David M Great video Dieter....

[@DieterMelhorn]

Biologists say that the mortality rate on catfish in water under 70 degrees is very very very low and inconsequential

[@niceguydmm]

@@DieterMelhorn I'm sure heated summer is worse for sure.

[@Deepoutdoors]

I would tune in to see a catfish competition similar to the world's deadliest catch! Dieter Melhorn, Catfish Dave, Mean Gene fishing machine, Catfish and Carp, and even throw in wildcards like Hook Line & Chill. Have some scripted reality and drama to offset some of the slow parts. The scripts that come to mind are endless. It would be a cross between the WWE and World's deadliest catch! Mean Gene would be playing the part of WWE Nature Boy Rick Flare, and his finishing move would be sniffing something and going berserk... WOOOO.

[@ProjecthuntanFish]

I hope so as nothing ruins a day at the lake like a tournament. If you want to compete go play golf.

[@MikeStokesFishing76]

I think all catfishing tournaments should be live and be strained I also think it should be like college basketball let's run a bracket series

[@CreoleCatfishing]

Mike that’s an old idea that’s been done….twice! Both on Catfish and Crappie KZbin channel. 1vs1 Survivor Series

[@MikeStokesFishing76]

@CreoleCatfishing I guess I live under a rock. I've never. Because I've never seen a 16or32or64 team bracket anywhere in the catfish community.

[@CreoleCatfishing]

@@MikeStokesFishing76 yes sir both happened on the Catfish and Crappie channel. The 1v1 Survivor Tournament was an 8 person single elimination bracket, then the 1v1 March Madness tournament was a 16 person single elimination.

[@MikeStokesFishing76]

@@CreoleCatfishing that's a shame not many people know about it. They should promote it more. But I understand it's not a cash pot.

[@thatdirtylife8685]

Have a wheel to spin at the tournement? The wheel of torture.

[@DieterMelhorn]

I like the dart board idea better....LOL!!

[@riverrat988]

Bass tournaments are losing viewers like crazy with ffs. I love the local size tourneys. Really happy with those. If isn’t broke why try to fix it

[@teamkittytickler]

#facts Deiter vrs Dave 2024

[@DieterMelhorn]

It's like I am Trump and he is Biden.......🙃

[@rogerwynn2131]

Equipment sponsorship could contribute to cash pay out.

[@DieterMelhorn]

There are plenty of options for brands that want to promote their properties

[@CreoleCatfishing]

Unfortunately, not a single unique idea in this video. EVERY so called “new idea” discussed in this video has been developed and done in KZbin by some great people. Shame on you Dieter because you know us all and have watched most, if not all of our live tournaments and know what we have created as a community. If you really wanted it to grow, the TRUE visionaries that created these ideas would have been recognized. Very disappointed.

[@DieterMelhorn]

Sadly, none of the people who attempted them got anywhere with the idea. This is true of MANY ideas that are brought to market, underfunded, and capitalized on by someone else.

[@CreoleCatfishing]

@@DieterMelhorn I just believe in giving credit where it’s due. To call these tournament series’ “attempts” I think discredits all the hard work and the views that were earned. These tournaments had and still have a great following that has grown each year. Why not make these creators a part of the growth of the catfishing sport instead of tossing their contributions aside to claim them as original ideas?

[@dboyMMA7100]

Does Dinker Melhorn even fish tournaments?

[@amuseSurfRigs]

I like tournaments, not fun to watch but like you said - things are changing ... What I would like to see - Throw away those Fish Finders and start fishing ... You stop your boat on top of the fish and drop your bait on its head ... That's not fishing to me ... Fish Finders are good if your making videos and have to keep your ratings up ... Show me you can fish without the Fish Finder ...

[@DieterMelhorn]

That would be a radical change….

[@fishin-impossible2992]

You know yourself that you do a lot of videoing to make a 20 min KZbin video, I know the guy in the kayak does live content and it's 2 hrs long or longer, I can't stay there and watch for that long, You've done live feeds and you are a talker , I've always said you have the gift of gab. These bass series shows are mostly pre recorded and a lot of editing, live 1v1 may be interesting to some but it's not for me. The best thing for the big catfish series is to not get to big , Get kids involved and talk a lot of conservation . To do something like that in a big tournament, You'd have to have enough biased judges in separate boats running from boat to boat for official weighing and videos .

[@ben7111]

Fishing used to be good before 150 catfish boats started hitting the lake on a very regular basis. I wish they were banned/outlawed

[@dougaskew5056]

Patriot catfish club Northeastern North Carolina 2 fish weight 10-12 boats Roanoke, Northwest Chowan Tar Rivers lake Gaston come fish with us let’s us show you how we are on conservation And the Sport