The scales were tipped with some mighty catfish during the Third Annual Coosa River Catfish Round-up on June 9-10.

All the fish were caught on the various surrounding bodies of water, including Lake Mitchell, Lay Lake and Jordan Lake.

The event was able to raise $1,225 to be donated to Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center in Chilton County.

“The tournament was a great success,” said Judson Akin, event organizer.

Seventeen fishermen entered the competition and had 24 hours to hook the “big one.”

The winning team was Matthew, Heather, Heidi and Katie Meeks from Goodwater with a total four-fish weight of 172.8 pounds.

It could not have gone much better for the Meeks family, who took part in the annual tournament for the first time.

The second place team of Heath Oglesby, Jake Oglesby, Bucky Stevens and Blake Stevens made the trip from Ozark.

With the result, Heath Oglesby has finished among the top three for the third-straight year.

They had a total weight of 161.6 pounds, which included the biggest fish of the event at 56.6 pounds.

One of the things that makes the Coosa River Catfish Round-up so unique is the fact it allows participants to fish using the method they are most comfortable with.

The 2018 tournament was a perfect example of that, with the top two teams finding success through different techniques.

“It helps people knowing that different fishing strategies and techniques were used,” Akin said.

The first-place team caught their haul using rod and reel, while the second place team and big fish was captured using noodling.

Third place went to Andy Gore, Hannah Gore, Ray Collins and Carson Collins with a total weight of 155.6 pounds.