Boomer’s Catfish Tournament scheduled for April 4-7

It’s hard to believe, but once again it is time for the Boomer’s Sports Bar Catfish Tournament.

The 14th annual Catfish Tournament is scheduled to begin at daybreak on April 4, with weigh-in on April 7. Entry fee for the tournament is $30, with the proceeds going to the Alvis Malatek Scholarship Fund which donates two scholarships to a pair of Gonzales High School graduates every year.

“The tournament has been around for a while,” joked Pete Wilkerson, who co-owns Boomers Sports Bar along with his wife Leann. “A long time ago it was a money tournament, but we changed it to a scholarship benefit years ago and it has been a big hit.”

“When we changed it to a scholarship benefit, it made it more fun for everyone and it wasn’t so serious,” Leann said. ‘’Now everyone has fun and we try to give at least two $1500 scholarships to two Gonzales High graduates every year.

“The way we decide the Alvis Malatek Scholarship is determined by all the captains of the teams entered. Students who are interested in applying for the scholarship write an essay, and then the team captains who are interested in reading the essays vote and decide who gets the scholarships.”

The Alvis Malatek Scholarship Fund is named after the their dear friend, Alvis Malatek. Malatek was a lifelong friend of the Wilkersons but passed away from cancer over 14 years ago. His nickname was Boomer, due to his prowess in hitting a softball. When the Wilkersons were about to purchase the bar, they learned Malatek had terminal cancer. They decided to name the bar in honor of their friend.

“He was a great friend to both of us,” Pete said. “I am not sure who he was better friends with — Leann or me—but he was a good man and a lot of fun. The image of him catfishing is the logo on all of our T-shirts.”

The way the catfish tournament is set up is simple. All members of a fishing team must fish out of the same camp in public waters in Gonzales County. Lines can be put out prior to the tournament but cannot be baited. Fishing starts at daybreak on April 4, and weigh-in is between 1 and 2 p.m. on April 7. Up to 30 total fish can be weighed; 25 blue and/or channel and five yellow. All teams must weigh in their big fish first and cannot be used on the stringer. Trophies are awarded to the Heavy Stringer and for the Big Fish, with the trophies kept at Boomers for show.

“We keep the trophies here for everyone to see, but the winners will have bragging rights all year long,” Pete joked.

Registration deadline for the Catfish Tournament is midnight, April 3.