The 6th Annual Keith Combs Sam Rayburn Slam took place on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at Umphrey Pavilion on Lake Sam Rayburn. The team of Tater Reynolds and Harold Moore topped the field with an impressive 25.64-pound bag that was anchored by two Sam Rayburn giants that both eclipsed the 10-pound mark. The duo was awarded $5,600 for the win.
In conjunction with the tournament this year, Keith and Jennifer held the inaugural Keith Combs Sam Rayburn Slam children’s event and banquet fundraiser to benefit the C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation on Friday, September 30th in Lufkin, Texas at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center. The evening began with C.A.S.T. For Kids participant, Dylan Tedder, singing the National Anthem. Dylan knocked it out of the park and set the tone for the rest of the evening. The world’s most inspirational angler and Bassmaster Open’s Pro Clay Dyer was the special guest speaker.
Several special CAST children were in attendance and the live auction opened with cakes that were decorated by the kids. Executive Director Jay Yelas had this to say: “Keith and Jennifer Combs have hearts of gold. What a difference they made in their community and across America last weekend! Their support of the C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation will provide an opportunity for several hundred children with special needs to go fishing and to be celebrated next year.”
“The projected budget totals were absolutely shattered with the event bringing in more than $103,000,” according to Jim Behnken, the Texas Director of C.A.S.T. For Kids. “Texans stepped up in a big way to help the foundation continue to provide days of fishing to children with special needs.
“In summation, it was an amazing 24-hour period. I feel in years to come, this event will spawn many other C.A.S.T. For Kids events in which children with special needs can overcome limitations and have a glorious day on the water with their families. Every child, no matter what their physical or families’ financial limitations are, should be able to feel the tug of a fish on a line, and the wind in their face on a boat ride”.
“We are humbled and completely blown away by the support we received this week,” Keith Combs said on behalf of him and his wife. “To see the community come together and support this wonderful cause means the world to us. The joy on these kids faces is what it’s all about and we look forward to hosting this event on an annual basis. Thank you to our wonderful sponsors and volunteers for your help in making this event a tremendous success.”
