Livin' the Smackdown Catfishing Lifestyle

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

Stacey Gaston has been catfishing all his life, just like his daddy and granddaddy did before him. “I have always loved to fish,” he said. “I grew up hunting and fishing. It was just part of my heritage. “

About 12 years ago, he set his sights on using rods and reels to catch trophy catfish. The challenge was first to find the big cats and then bring them into his boat. Many thought this couldn’t be done. When he started to catch 40-50-pound cats, he took pictures of these trophies, but some skeptics still did not believe him. To prove that he could use a rod and reel to catch these big cats, he used his cellphone to record his catches, and then he posted the videos to YouTube. That’s when viewers started to take notice.

While fishing on the Tennessee River, Stacey learned about going live on Facebook. Each time he snagged a big fish, he went live and yelled, “Smackdown!” His exclamation caught on and soon became his signature!

“I’m just a redneck with a cellphone,” he laughed, “but people started watching and ‘smackdown’ caught on!” Now, most of his thousands of fans even call him “SmackDown.”

Stacey Gaston can find the big ones everywhere. These two big cats were caught on Lake Guntersville.

Joey Kirby (l) caught this 91 lb. blue catfish. Stacey Gaston holds a 99 lb. beauty.

With his fishing partner, Joey Kirby, Stacey started a weekly Facebook live show, called “SmackDown Catfishing.” His goal was to help anyone else getting into this sport. The show airs each Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on Facebook and YouTube. Thousands follow to comment, ask questions and even win prizes, offered throughout the show. Stacey often has guests join him virtually to share their success stories and offer advice. He passes along tips on catching the big cats on rods and reels, using the best equipment and choosing the right bait to bring them in.

Stacey has become a social media sensation with thousands of followers from all over the U.S. and Canada. He has even created his own line of fishing products, which he sells on SmackDownCatfishing.net.

One of his inventions has redefined this growing sport, giving sportsmen the ability to work with more rods and bring in more fish. Stacey uses Meat Hunter rods, made in Arkansas, but developed in the rivers and lakes of the South for heavy-duty fishing. Needing a holder for the rods, Stacey used his welding and fabricating skills to design something that would grasp when a 100-pound catfish struck the line. It took him three years of designing, fabricating and then fishing with the holder to get it just like he wanted. He mounted the holders on his own Tracker Targa 20 boat and demonstrates their value to serious big cat fishermen. He now offers seven different colors and a choice of bases that fit nearly every boat.

Cayden Wise is living that Smackdown Catfishing lifestyle. He is one of Stacey Gaston’s biggest fans. He caught two big cats on a fishing trip with his Pawpaw, Scott Childres. Cayden and his family use many of the SmackDown products such as the rod holders in the background.

Troy Smith holds up two large cats caught while on a Smackdown excursion with Stacey.

Stacey Gaston is passionate about fishing for the big cats, and he has enjoyed great success. This love of the sport, along with his infectious enthusiasm, makes him an entertaining and knowledgeable speaker. He often headlines Fishing Expos and Conferences, and he is a crowd favorite at wild game dinners and fundraisers. He has appeared in numerous fishing and outdoor magazines, and has been a popular guest on “Gettin’ Outdoors with Big Daddy Lawler.”

Stacey Gaston is a busy family man. He lives in Greenville, Alabama, with Dawn, his wife of 28 years. He has three children, two grandchildren and one on the way. He teaches welding at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen and serves as the pastor of Goodland Baptist Church.

Every weekend, Stacey Gaston can be found on the Alabama River between Camden and Montgomery, looking for the illusive big flatheads and blue cats. In the last two years, he has put the “SmackDown” on six fish, all weighing over 80 pounds. One was over 100 pounds. The Alabama blue cat record is 120 pounds, and he once caught a big blue that weighed 103. While fishing one night, he and his buddy caught a 99 pounder and a 91 pounder back-to-back.

Stacey shows off a large catfish caught from his boat. He has a “catch and release” policy and puts anything over 15 pounds back into the water.

For Stacey, the Holy Grail of big cat catching is the illusive 100-pound club. “The thought of catching a monster catfish appeals to me,” he laughed. “The adrenaline rush of 80-100 pounds of fish ‘done got the best of me’!”

Stacey practices only “catch and release,” putting anything over 15 pounds back into the water. He protects the environment and all the creatures that live therein, so that future generations can enjoy these things as much as he has.

“I do a lot of fishing,” he explained. “Whenever I catch these big fish, I put them back in the reservoir. It’s up to you and me to protect that which we love to do. I like to look after what I love to do!”

Stacey Gaston fishes with energy, enthusiasm and excitement. He enjoys competing in fishing contests all over the South. Another great pleasure is carrying others out in the waters to catch the big cats. Some of his favorite guests are veterans and children. About 50% of the time, however, Stacey is on the water by himself.

“I just love gettin’ out on the water,” he said. “I could sit there hours on end. When you get on the water, your mind goes to another place. It’s very relaxing and fun, and the peacefulness there is unbelievable!”

In addition to his busy schedule, Stacey does a live video each Sunday morning, encouraging everyone and offering support for those in need.

Stacey Gaston loves the Lord, his family and catfishing! He’s living that SmackDown lifestyle, and he’s lovin’ every minute of it!

“I’m really a blessed man to have caught so many,” he said. “All of this is just the favor of the Lord!”

Stacey said that the rough water did not affect the catfish. He caught a number of big ones on this outing. (Photo Credit: James Lawler)