Coughlin, Haynes win top honors in qualifier

Chris Stephens and John Toutt of Newbern, Tenn., won first place in the Cabela's King Kat qualifying tournament Saturday on the Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau.

Close to 80 anglers from seven states competed, heading out from the Red Star fishing access launch in Cape Girardeau.

Stephens and Toutt brought in 153.6 pounds of catfish, topped by a 41.4-pounder they caught using big skipjack on drops in 55 to 75 feet of water. They earned a top prize of $1,900.

The event also was a qualifier for the Cabela's King Kat Classic set for next October on Pickwick and Wilson lakes in Sheffield, Ala.

David Coughlin of Jackson, Tenn., and Gary Haynes of Troy, Ala., finished second with 147.05 pounds of fish. They used the same technique as the winners, but had to settle for $1,050.

Greg Edwards and Dale Kerns of Norris City, Ill., finished third at 128.05 pounds. They used live shad and skip-jack in 30 to 40 feet of water. They earned $800.

In fourth was a local team --David Mirly and Matthew Richter of Jackson. They brought in 79.55 pounds using skipjack in 30 to 40 feet of water. Mirly and Richter earned $375.

Mirly and Richter also brought in the big fish, weighing 50.9 pounds. They received an additional $500 for the lunker.

In fifth place, Cary Ricketts of Darden, Tenn., and Ronald Ricketts of Cumberland, Tenn., brought in 69.55 pounds. They finished in 50 feet of water using skipjack. They earned $200.