CONTRIBUTED BY
CRAPPIE USA
Crappie USA begins its 26th year of providing competitive fishing to crappie anglers in 2022. On Feb. 12, 2022, they are traveling to Lake Harding, Alabama, for a Local event.
The event is presented by Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s. Anglers will be vying for a 100% payout and an opportunity to compete in the 2022 CUSA Classic on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes.
New sash and prizes minimum guaranteed paybacks for 2022 include 100% at Local Events, $15,000 at Super Events, and $20,000 at Mega Events. Anglers may qualify for the CUSA Classic through any of these events and the Points Race. Beginning in 2022, teams must be preregistered for the Classic by Oct. 1, 2022, to avoid a $100 late fee.
Lake Harding, also known as Bartlett’s Ferry Lake, is a 5,850-acre reservoir formed by the Bartlett’s Ferry Dam on the Chattahoochee River. Lake Harding is a deep lake with a depth of over 100 feet at the dam. It is a power-producing lake, so active current will be dependent on the generating schedule.
The lake is populated by both white and black crappie. In fact, the record black crappie was recently recorded. Georgia angler Mickey Peacock set the new lake record with a 3.09-pound black crappie on April 17, 2020. The lake has plenty of crooks and crannies to investigate. Regardless of your favorite method for chasing slabs, you should be able to apply it at Harding.
HOW TO ENTER
Teams may consist of one or two anglers, with a third member allowed if the angler is under the age of 16 years old. Early registration can be accomplished on the CUSA website at https://www.crappieusa.com/Tournament_Registration.cfm. Teams may also enter by calling (502) 384-5924. Entry fees vary by the length of the tournament. All fees are posted on the website linked above. Late Fee applies within 14 days of the event.
Participating anglers must be a member of the American Crappie Association (ACA).
Sign up at www.crappieusa.com/Membership_Information.cfm where the various levels of membership are available. Each membership will include a subscription to the Crappie Digest, the official publication of Crappie USA.
REGISTRATION AND SEMINAR
Late registration and a pre-tournament seminar will be held the day before the tournament at the LaQuinta Inn and Suites, 3151 Capps Way, Opelika, AL 36804,
334-748-9000.
Late sign-in begins at 5 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m. A seminar follows at 6 p.m. local time. Your team is responsible for knowing any additional rules and/or changes mentioned at the seminar. If you or your partner cannot attend you should have someone relay information from the meeting to you. Many national sponsor field test items will be awarded.
The seminar is open to the public. Those not fishing the event are encouraged to attend this meeting and meet some of the region’s top crappie anglers.
THE WEIGH-IN SITE
The tournament weigh-in will be held at
Po Boys Landing
334 Lee Rd
Salem, AL 36874.
Fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and all anglers are required to be in line by 4 p.m. This is the perfect opportunity for non-competitors to learn how the big ones are caught. Interviews of the top five teams are conducted following the weigh-in.
TOURNAMENT HOST AND LODGING SITE
CUSA welcomes all anglers and their guests to the area and invites them to take the opportunity to enjoy the local attractions. More information on the area can be found at www.aotourism.com.
Lodging is provided by:
[1] LaQunita Inn and Suites, 3151 Capps Way, Opelika , AL 36804,
334-748-9000.
[2] Hampton Inn, 334-745-4311
[3] Comfort Inn, 334-741-9977
[4] Quality Inn, 334-745-6331
The number of rooms in the area may be limited. It is recommended that participants make their reservations early.
CRAPPIE USA “FREE CRAPPIE KIDS RODEO”
A free Crappie Kids Fishing Rodeo presented by DMF Bait Co. will be held in conjunction with the tournament at Po Bos Landing. An adult must accompany all participating children. The event is free to all children 12 years of age and under.
Crappie USA is happy to announce a new headline sponsor of our Kids Fishing Rodeos, DMF Bait Company (DMF) will be presenting the kids’ events on the trail and because of them, the annual scholarships will be increased to $10,000 beginning with the 2022 Classic.
Sign up for the Kids Rodeo is Saturday at 8 a.m. with fishing from 9 to 11 a.m. The Crappie USA Kids Fishing Rodeo is a chance for children of the area to get out and enjoy nature, do a little fishing and win some prizes. All participants are eligible for a chance to win one of the ten Crappie USA $1,000 scholarships presented by DMF Bait Co. The scholarships are awarded annually at the CUSA Classic. To date, more than $385,000 in scholarships have been awarded.
THE CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP
The CUSA Classic Championship will be held Oct. 13 to 15 on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, Paris, Tennessee. The 2022 Classic presented by Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s features a guaranteed payout of $165,000 in cash and prizes.
NATIONAL SPONSORS
National Sponsors of Crappie USA are Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Mustad Hooks, Gamma, B’n’M Poles, Driftmaster Rod Holders, Ego Nets, Brushpile Crappie, Charlie Brewer Slider, Crappie Now Magazine, Jenko Fishing, Crappie Magnet, EFX Graphics, Fin n’ Frames, Crown Trophy, Richland Enviromental Solutions, Yeti, Catch Some Relief, Cut Throat Jigs, Bass Tank, Brushpile Fishing, Everhart Outdoors, Cumberland Crappie, JR Madd Breading, Freaky Franks Tackle, Bubba Blade, Flambeau, Smooth Moves Seats, Rejuvenade, Power-Pole, Millennium Marine, Crockett Creek Beef Jerky, Pesky Bug Repellant, Costa Del Mar, Daisy Air Rifles, Garmin, HH Rods and Reels and Beatdown Outdoors.
For more information on the Classic and other CUSA events visit the website at www.crappieusa.com and Crappie USA Tournament Trail Facebook Page.