Participants will kick off the 2019 CUSA Tournament Trail by competing in amateur and pro divisions at the November 2 and 3, 2018 crappie tournament at Kuttawa, KY

Louisville, KY - Crappie anglers from several states will travel to lakes Barkley and Kentucky at Kuttawa, KY to participate in a two-day Crappie USA Super Event. They will be competing for cash and prizes. The event is an early-bird qualifier for the 2109 CUSA Classic to be held October 23 thru 26, 2019 on Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin, TN.

The earlier April 2018 CUSA tournament on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes saw Henry and Jo Haley of Carmi, IL win the top spot in the Pro Division with 20.28 pounds. Marshall and Ray Stearns, from Frewsburg, and Kennedy, NY claimed top honors in the Amateur Division with 18.31 pounds.

These lakes are strewn with both natural and man-made structure for anglers to target. Traveling anglers can find this structure with their electronics and use their favorite crappie fishing method to tempt the fish. Organizers expect a good bite given the November timeframe.

“Lake Barkley should be at its best for our fall early bird qualifier,” predicted CUSA Operations Manager Darrell Van Vactor. “We are expecting some good weights and the weather promises to be beautiful. Come on over and get qualified for the 2019 Cabela’s Crappie USA Classic.”

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 or by entering at the mandatory pre-tournament seminar on the night before the tournament begins. Entry fees vary by length of tournament. All fees are posted on the website linked above. Late entries are subject to a $25.00 late fee.

Participating angers must be a member of the American Crappie Association (ACA). Each membership will include a subscription to the official publication of Crappie USA, one of the top crappie fishing publications in the nation.
See the various membership levels at https://www.crappieusa.com/Membership_Information.cfm.

Registration and Seminar
Late registration and a pre-tournament seminar will be held the day before the tournament at Lyon Convention Center, 172 S. Lee Jones Road, Eddyville, KY 42038

Registration begins at 5:00 pm. A National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing accompanies the seminar starting at 7:00 pm local time. This seminar is open to the public. Those not fishing the event are encourage 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 Kuttawa Harbor Marina, 1709 Lake Barkley Drive, Kuttawa, KY beginning at 3:00 pm. This is the perfect opportunity for non-competitors to learn how the big ones are caught. Interviews of the top 5 teams are conducted following the weigh-in.

Sponsor and Host Lodging Site
The Lake Barkley Tourist Commission welcomes all Crappie USA anglers and their guests to the area and hope they take the opportunity to enjoy the local attractions. For more information on the area visit the website at http://www.lakebarkley.org/ or call 270-388-5300.

Host lodging is provided by Days Inn, 139 Days Inn Dr., Kuttawa, KY 42055 (270-601-4060). 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 will be held in conjunction with the tournament at the weigh-in site.

Sign up will be Saturday morning at 8:00 am. The Kids Rodeo is from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. 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. The event is free to all children 12 years of age and under. All participants are eligible for a chance to win one of the six, Crappie USA $1,000.00 scholarships to be awarded at the 2019 Cabela's Crappie USA Classic. All participating children must be accompanied by an adult.

Crappie USA and their anglers have contributed $350,000.00 to the "Crappie Kids" Scholarships since 1997. CUSA is very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in the tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Crappie USA Kids Fishing Rodeos.

The Classic Championship

The CUSA Classic Championship will be held October 23 – 26, 2019 on Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin, TN.

For more information on the Classic and other CUSA events visit the website at www.crappieusa.com and Crappie USA Tournament Trail Facebook Page.