Pro fishing tourney slated for Texarkana

TEXARKANA, Texas — Texarkana and Wright Patman

Lake will be the site of the second event of the newly formed National Professional Fishing League.

The NPFL will feature 110 anglers from all over the country, competing for $400,000, including a $50,000 grand prize. The even will be held April 22-24 with anglers fishing Wright Patman and coming back to the Texarkana, Texas Convention Center for the 3 p.m. weigh-in each day.

“We made a couple of trips down, and we believe Wright Patman Lake is a great fishery, as well as a hidden gem,” NPFL founder and president Al McCulloch said. “We want to introduce the lake and Texarkana to the fishing community. Texarkana is a great venue, and it is a great backdrop for a pro tournament.”

Anglers will begin arriving Sunday, April 18 for pre-tournament practice, a media day is scheduled for Wednesday, and the threeday competition begins Thursday, April 22.

John Soukup of Sapulpa, Okla., led from the opening day until the championship weighin for the NPFL’s inaugural event, held last month on Lake Eufaula in Alabama. Two days Soukup’s stringer weight exceeded 20 pounds and he finished with a threeday total of 53-9.

“We’re really looking forward to the Texarkana stop,” McCulloch said. “Working with the City of Texarkana and the Chamber of Commerce has helped make this a great event.”

The weigh-ins will be live broadcasted on the National Professional Fishing League’s Facebook page, along with the awards ceremony Saturday.