Eufaula will receive some national television coverage as more than 400 anglers hit town this week to participate in the Crappie Masters’ National Tournament.

The event is being hosted locally by many organizations and businesses, including Vision Eufaula, Lake Eufaula Association, the City of Eufaula and the Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce.

“This will be good publicity for Eufaula,“ said City Manager Jeb Jones. “There will be national TV coverage by the outdoor channel, which will air the event in March of 2024.”

Competitors began arriving Tuesday as preparations got underway for the three-day Masters tournament which begins today (Thursday, Sept. 21) and continues through Saturday.

Daily check-ins will be at Extreme Amphitheater in the Eufaula Cove.

Fishing hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and anglers must be in the weigh-in line by 4:30 p.m.

The top 50 teams will advance to the championship Saturday.

The weekend ends Sunday with an Operation Freedom Outdoor Event for veterans and a Free Kids Fishing Tournament.

Sunday’s fishing hours are 7 a.m. to noon. Anglers must be in the weigh-in line by 1 p.m.

Veterans and anglers will be launching From Eufaula Cove at 7 a.m. Pairings of all anglers and veterans will start at 6 a.m. that morning.

All anglers 0-18 years of age will be allowed to join the Free Kids Fishing Tournament. Fishing will take place from the bank, and parents or guardians should stick around with their kids for the event.

Every kid that participates will be going home with a bunch of brandnew tackle, a t-shirt and a brand-new rod and reel.