Tournament will be held March 13-14, 2026
The Southeast Big Money Showdown is coming to the Santee Cooper lakes in March, and will replace the much anticipated return of the Santee Cooper Monster Cat Quest, which canceled its return in late January.
The last-minute cancellation caused very little distress among anglers, many of whom had already scheduled vacaction time from work and booked hotel rooms and camping spots for the March 13 – 14 event, thanks to the quick efforts of Jamie Williams and Clay Henderson, along with Ralph Willey and Mark Coburn.
The Monster Cat Quest’s abrupt cancellation, which was announced on Facebook, drew quick reassurance from Coburn, who was set to serve as weighmaster of the event.
“I am confident this will all work out,” Coburn posted as a few folks began to complain.
Very shortly after that, the folks at Blacks Camp, the site of the tournament weigh-in and other activities, posted that another organization had stepped in to hold a tournament the same weekend.
Mark Coburn will be weighmaster
The Southeast Big Money Showdown followed up with their announcement.
“Attention: Do not cancel your rooms at Santee! After speaking with Ralph Willey and Mark Coburn, we have decided to have the Southeast Big Money Showdown March 13 and 14 at Santee Cooper Lakes at Blacks Camp,” they said.
The Southeast Big Money Showdown usually holds their yearly tournament at Lake Wateree or Lake Wylie, and they had initially planned to hold it at Lake Wateree this year.
Henderson said while the tournament will take place March 13 and 14, many anglers will make a whole week of the event.
“Our plan is to have pre-registration tournaments Tuesday and Wednesday out of Hills Landing and Canal Lakes, and then the Showdown weigh-in will be at Blacks Camp.
Coburn said he will still serve as weighmaster, and he expects the tournament to be unforgettable.
Keep your rooms booked
“The brand new edition of the Southeast Big Money Showdown will be epic,” he said. “Together with Jamie, Clay and Ralph, I personally promise to bring the best I have in me to give you the show and experience you expect at the biggest annual tournament on Santee.”
He said many other folks have stepped in and offered to help.
“The support has been tremendous, and I am driven to put on the best show ever,” he said. “Just stick with us. Keep them rooms booked. We just might outdo ourselves on this short notice.”
For more information on the tournament, visit facebook.com/southeastbigmoneyshowdown. ■
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