ROCKINGHAM – Cold temperatures didn’t stop catfish anglers from filling the Pee Dee River this past weekend as Team Lambert Catfishing (TLC) hosted its Winter Bash catfishing tournament. With morning temperatures dipping into the 30s and only climbing into the low 40s by weigh-in, it was a true winter event, but the bite stayed hot.
Twenty-one teams bundled up launched out, with several reporting catches of 20 to 30 fish throughout the day. By afternoon spectators gathered at the scales to see which crew would take home the top prize.
Team Reel Slime, featuring anglers Chad Holden and Travis Gardner, claimed first place with an impressive total of 96.95 pounds. Their haul included a 33.5-pound catfish that also secured the team the lucrative side pot, for combined earnings of $2,358. Carolina Cracker Stackers followed in second place with 87.85 pounds for $1,005 in prize money. In third place, Carolina Cracker Crushers brought in 75.6 pounds and landed the Big Fish of the tournament, a 40.7 pounder worth an additional $840 in winnings.
Wicked Cats finished fourth with 72.65 pounds and earned $300. Live & Direct captured fifth place with 68.75 pounds and received $200. The remaining teams included: Team Cottingham (68.6 lbs.), Pee Dee River Cats (67.9 lbs.), and TLC (62.1 lbs.), Dream Works (52.4 lbs.), Catfish Cartel (51.65 lbs.), Cat Snatch Fever (46.30 lbs.), Blind Hogs (44.55 lbs.), NC Wild Cats (34.40 lbs.), Sexy Mullet (32.2 lbs.), Towing Tanks (29.1 lbs.), and No Sense Outdoors (24.8 lbs.). All other teams recorded no weight.
Organizers extended thanks to the many hands that made the tournament run smoothly, including weighmaster Mark Coburn, Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, photographer Terry Clark, and the volunteers behind the scenes. They also recognized event sponsors for their continued support.
TLC’s next event, the King of the Pee Dee River, is scheduled for March 28, 2026.