Waking up at the crack of dawn, sitting in a boat floating about on the Alabama River to make that one big catch is a daily occurrence for many fishermen in the Black Belt.

Come June, hundreds will descend on Selma and the Alabama River trying to land a big fish, as well as a big catch for their wallets.

The Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail will make a pair of stops in Selma, starting with a qualifying tournament at the Selma Marina on the Alabama River June 23.

The event in June will give local anglers a chance to compete in the King Kat Classic Tournament, which rewards $60,000 to the winner and will also be held in Selma on Sept. 27-29.

Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said the event will have a positive impact on the community.

“The economic impact of this entire event — which includes the tournament in September — to our community is estimated to be at $800,000,” Smedley said. “This event would not be possible without the collaboration of the City of Selma, Mayor George Evans, the city council members, the Dallas County Commission and Judge Kim Ballard, along with Alabama Power and First Cahawba Bank.”

Darrell Van Vactor, president and CEO of Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail, said Selma was an attractive location due to the quality of fishing in the area, and the organization is looking forward to bringing both events to the Black Belt.

“Several of our fishermen had talked about the river in that area being a really good area for catfish, and when we approached Selma about it they were eager to bring our classic tournament there this fall, which will be late September,” Van Vactor said. “Since we’re holding the classic there, we’ll also hold the qualifying there. That’s where the local anglers will have an opportunity to qualify for that $60,000 classic this fall and the top 25 teams qualify. We’re excited to be there. It should be a good weekend and we just look forward to coming to Selma.”

Smedley said another reason Cabela’s was interested in Selma was due to the closeness of the city’s facilities, including the East Selma Fishing Pond where Cabela’s will also hold a qualifying on June 23 for the classic in Selma in September for its Free Kids Fishing Rodeo.

Elton Reece, director of the Selma Recreation Department, which is in charge of the Marina and the East Selma Fishing Pond, said the department has been preparing for the event.

“They have a youth tournament also at the same time, and we’re going to run that out of our East Selma Fishing Pond,” Reece said. “I put a little over 1,000 pounds of live catfish in there Monday (May 14). On June 23 we’ll have that youth tournament out there at 10 a.m. for (ages) 12 and under, and they’ll fish. When they catch a fish, they’ll weigh it, write it down and then put the fish back in the water. Then we’ll open the pond to the public the next week.”

Smedley said she’s expecting 128 teams.

Ballard said the tournament could have an economic impact beyond those registered, as the event will bring in many from out of town who will shop at local businesses.

“A town or a county is very lucky to have Cabela’s come to town,” Ballard said. “They (participants), of course, buy gas for the vehicles, eat at restaurants, and buy fishing supplies. The whole community will benefit from Cabela’s. They’re a big economic draw, and it’s clean money. You don’t have to really do anything except have a river and good resources to have one.”

Smedley said the St. James Hotel and Jameson Inn will both serve as host lodging for the tournament.

Participants must be a member of the King Kat Association to fish in the event, with a one-year membership costing $25.

To pre-register, go to www.kingkatusa.com or call 270-395-6774.

Signup for the Kids Fishing Rodeo will take place June 23 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the East Selma Fishing Pond located on 501 Plant Street.

All children will receive a prize just for entering and winners are eligible to win one of six $2,000 scholarships.