Satilla Riverkeeper wrapped up the 2021 Satilla River Fishing Tournament on Sunday, April 25. The tournament ran from April 17 -25. Participants competed by taking photos of their catch and submitting through an app called FishDonkey.
Participants were allowed to fish anywhere in the Satilla River or any of its tributaries. Each participant received a measuring bump board, generously donated by Waycross Convention & Visitors Bureau. To be eligible for the cash prizes all fish had to be measured on this official bump board. Youth under 16 were allowed to participate with a registered adult.
The Satilla River has been really high for much of the early spring, but water levels dropped just in time for the tournament to begin. Anglers caught several beautiful fish, and the leaderboards were very tight. See photos from the tournament on Satilla Riverkeeper’s Facebook page.
$1,000 in cash prizes were awarded to the top catch by length in each of five categories:
- ● Red Myers’ Longest Redbreast sponsored by John S. Myers P.C, Attorney at Law paid $200 to Will and Carter Steed of Hortense, GA. They brought in the winning redbreast sunfish measuring 10.5 inches.
- ● Longest Native Catfish sponsored by Capt. Bert’s Catfish Catcher Jigheads paid $150 to Aaron Dixon and Zachary Cook of Waynesville, GA. They caught a white catfish measuring 20.5 inches. (Flathead catfish were not eligible.)
- ● Longest Panfish (other than Redbreast) sponsored by Southern Fishing Company paid $150 to Shane Kindle of Nahunta, GA. Shane Kindle caught a black crappie measuring 11.25 inches.
- ● Longest Largemouth Bass sponsored by Jim and Elizabeth Cottingham paid $150 to Craig James of Waycross, GA. Craig James brought in a largemouth bass measuring 23 inches.
Longest Redbreast Stringer Prize sponsored by Brantley Telephone Company paid $350 to Will and Carter Steed. Will and Carter Steed’s three longest redbreasts totaled 31.25 inches.
All winners also received a free meal for 2 adults and 2 kids donated by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Waycross.
\All tournament participants received a complimentary annual membership to Satilla Riverkeeper, whose mission is to protect, restore and educate about the Satilla River. “The Riverkeeper serves as the eyes and the ears for the river, taking action when there is a threat to the river,” says Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper. “This isn’t just the responsibility of a single organization. The best stewards of the river are those that spend countless hours on the water, know the bounty it provides, and experience the beauty that it holds. We know the value of protecting such a resource, so that our great-grandkids and generations to come, will be able to reel in a beautiful redbreast sunfish one day, too.”
This fishing tournament would not be possible without the generous support of the community. Gold sponsors include: John S. Myers, P.C. Attorney at Law; Brantley Telephone Company; Waycross Convention and Visitors Bureau; Greg and Joan Williford; Yamaha Rightwaters; Douglas Rotary Club. Silver Sponsors include: Capt. Bert’s Catfish Catcher Jigheads; Southern Fishing Company; Clay and Wendy Montague; Jim and Elizabeth Cottingham; Deep Bend Landing; Mike and Tic Lee; Harris & Company, P.C.; Jeanette and Guy Moorman; Cracker Barrel. Community Partners include Georgia Department of Wildlife Resources, Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, Satilla River Water Trail Partnership.