Cedar Bluff Angler Lands $1,000 Tagged Fish in Weiss Lake Crappie Rodeo
CEDAR BLUFF — A local angler is celebrating a big catch and an even bigger payday after reeling in a tagged crappie during the 2026 Weiss Lake Crappie Rodeo.
Butch Richardson of Cedar Bluff was fishing with Sweet Times Guide Service when he caught a crappie worth $1,000 as part of the annual event. Richardson later collected his prize at the newly remodeled Little River Marina, where Jamey Johnson of the Weiss Lake Improvement Association (WLIA) presented the check.
The Weiss Lake Crappie Rodeo, sponsored by the WLIA, runs each year from February 1 through April 30 and is a popular attraction for anglers across the region. The event features more than 1,000 tagged crappie released into Weiss Lake, widely known as the “Crappie Capital of the World.”
Participants who catch tagged fish are eligible for cash prizes of varying amounts, with multiple winners announced throughout the spring. Anglers must purchase a tournament badge to take part, which is available at local marinas and businesses.
Supported by local sponsors, including Alabama Power, the rodeo not only promotes fishing on Weiss Lake but also highlights the area’s outdoor recreation opportunities and community involvement.
Organizers say the event continues to draw strong participation each year as anglers try their luck at landing one of the lake’s prize-winning catches.
