Louisville, Kentucky – It was the apex of an historic year when the upstart American Catfishing Association (ACA) celebrated its first year at its inaugural ACA Awards Banquet that took place in conjunction with this year’s Catfish Conference Expo.
Over 100 ACA members that included VIPs, association leadership and charter members, tournament directors, industry leaders, angler members, division winners and Hall of Fame inductees gathered to celebrate the ACA’s first year.
Organized by ACA Co-Director Mr. George Young Jr., the ACA began its evening with the announcement of the 7 inaugural inductees to the American Catfishing Association’s Hall of Fame. Inducted were accomplished tournament anglers, Mr. John Jamison, Mr. Phil King, and Mr. Daryl and Mr. Jason Masingale, one of catfishing greatest organizers, Mr. Steve Douglas, author and premier catfish story teller, Mr. Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Bass Pro Shop CEO and one of our countries greatest conservationists, Mr. Johnny Morris and the legend himself, Dr. Bill Dance.
Next the ACA awarded over $100,000 in cash and prizes to over 20 ACA Tournament Alliance Division points’ winners which was sponsored in part by Ugly Stik, Abu Garcia and Berkley Fishing. The ACA is responsible for creating the first ever alliance of independent tournaments throughout the USA and to date has grown to over 200 annual catfish tournament events. “We are so proud and grateful of the efforts made by our alliance tournament directors and all the catfish anglers throughout the nation that made the first year of the alliance so successful,” stated ACA Co-Director, Steven R. Miller.
The evening was capped off with a drawing from thousands of entries for a new custom wrapped $50,000 SeaArk boat, powered by a 200hp Suzuki and sitting on a Marine Master Trailer. SeaArk, one of the primary sponsors and supporters of the ACA was on hand for the drawing. “The American Catfishing Association is and has remained committed to bringing over 10 million+ catfish anglers together as an organization that keeps conservation, resources, member services and innovative programs at the forefront. The SeaArk organization couldn’t be more proud to be a supporter of this great organization and community,” said SeaAark President, Mr. Steve Henderson.
To learn more about the American Catfishing Association and the ACA Tournament Alliance Points Race, visit their website at www.americancatfishingassociation.com or by contacting the ACA directly at 833-4-CATFISH, or email at info@acafishing.com.
