Arizona Mule Deer Organization: 2nd Annual Mal Hiatt Memorial Crappie Tournament

[OneBlade]

The Arizona Mule Deer Organization (AMDO) presents the 2nd Annual Mal Hiatt Memorial Crappie Tournament at Alamo Lake on April 18th and 19th. From AMDO:
 
It's that time again folks! It's been about 3 years since we lost Mal Hiatt and this will be the second annual Crappie Tournament at Alamo lake. We have a lot of fun, some will win money, some will win raffle prizes but all will have a great time and catch fish!
 
We will post up a link to buy entry fees and we will post rules as well. We have a huge camping area rented out and all you need to do is get up there and fish! You will probably need to buy your Alamo lake pass at the store.
 
For more info, contact Terry Herndon at 623-696-5579 or Terry@azmuledeer.org.
 
Follow the AMDO Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550961339882

[OneBlade]

I confirmed the tournament for this is only Saturday, April 18th

[OneBlade]

They have the large group site and weather looks good.  Who's going?  Here's more info from AZMDO:

Hey all! Come on out and support AMDO while catching fish! Saturday the 18th of April at Alamo lake!
Be there Saturday at 5 am and check in. Two people per team and $150.00 per team to enter. You can have two teams in each boat.
Once you are there you can add to the Big Fish pool and the Goon Fish pool.
The team winners will be for 1st,2nd,and 3rd after the 50/50 split for AMDO. Goon (any fish other than Crappie) and Big Fish (crappie only) will be a strait 50/50 split with AMDO.
We will be at the big event's campground but  you will need to go to the Alamo Store and get your daily permits.
We have a great time and Saturday we have a burger and dog dinner.
We will have several items for the bucket raffle and the top prize will be a firearm.
Please come on out and let's have some fun!
#crappiefishing
#alamolake
#arizonafishing
#HuntingHeritage
#drivenbyconservation
#arizonamuledeerorg
Randy Blachley Jr.
#mudsharkmarine

[OneBlade]

The 2nd Annual Mal Hiatt Memorial Crappie Tournament is officially in the books.

This event was presented by the Arizona Mule Deer Organization (AZMDO) and Terry Herndon, and hosted by the Mudshark Marine Crappie Tournament crew alongside AZ Crappie Sniper Guide Service.

Mal Hiatt was a dedicated angler who loved nothing more than being out on the water crappie fishing with friends. He was a member of the Arizona Crappie Association (AZCA) and part of the original group that fished the AZ Corn Belt Crappie Trail and AZ NCL Crappie Series. Mal passed away in 2024 and is deeply missed. After a memorial gathering at Alamo Lake, AZMDO established this annual tournament to honor his legacy.

This year's event featured 11 teams, with a total payout of $1,575 returned to participants.

Results:

* 1st Place (Total Weight): Florin Nesiu – 9.76 lbs ($412.50)
  * Also took Big Fish with a 2.15 lb crappie ($500)
* 2nd Place: Randy Howton, Brock Howton, and Gunner Bernard – 7.80 lbs ($247.50)
* 3rd Place: Daniel Gutierrez Sr. and Daniel Gutierrez Jr. – 7.65 lbs ($165)
* Goon Fish: JT Butler and Tim Mraz – 3.09 lbs ($250)

The Mudshark Marine Crappie Trail crew provided burgers and sides for all attendees on both Friday and Saturday nights. Richard Johnson of Get Out and Fish LLC fried up fresh crappie on Friday evening and supplied many of the jigs used throughout the weekend.

Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and helped make this event a success. It was a great weekend honoring the memory of a true friend.