Even with the wind and threat of some possible weather, the PRC Touchdown Club 1st Annual Saltwater Tournament went off with out a hitch and had great participation.

The winds did blow and blow all day, and made the fishing tough for everyone. The main folks that had a problem were the smaller boats that could not handle the wind and were forced to stay inside in the marsh and bayous to fish. The water was high in the marshes and made the fishing tough.

The boat teams were fishing for 5 big speckled trout to weigh in and 2 red fish under the 27 inch rule. The trout were not very hard to catch, but the red fish proved to be the toughest of all. Several teams had a few trout to weigh, but no red fish. I know that the redfish caught on our boat were all to long to weigh in, and too small to win the big red fish.

There were a total of 20 boats exactly entered and here is how the top three placements in each division went. First place Speckled Trout limit and $500 went to Chas Champagnes and Eric Dumas with a 5 fish weight of 15lbs 11oz. Second place went to Jeff, Lynda and Brandon Kauzlarich and Colby Wallace with a weight of 11lbs 14ozs. The third place slot was take by Justin Herring, Lloyd Braun and Trey Taylor with 11lbs 4oz.

The Red Fish first place prize of $500 went to Jimmy Hancock, Josh Hancock and Blue Groom with a weight of 13lbs 10oz. Second place plaque went to Chas Champagne and Eric Dumas with a weight of 12lbs 11oz. The third Place spot went to Jay Hancock, Carson Landrum, Norman Landrum and Jerry Landrum.

As for the big fish in each category, the biggest red fish and $140 went to Chas Champagne with a 15lb 3oz hog. The largest speckled trout turned in was by Eric Dumas with a weight of 4lbs 4ozs; Eric took home $120 for the big speck.

Without many sponsors, this tournament would not have been a success and Coach Weir asks that if you fished the tournament or have young folks that will benefit from it, let these sponsors know how much you appreciate their willingness to give. Sponsors for this years tournament were LaFrances Marina, Wal-Mart Super Center, The Deer Stand, Academy Sports, Dup Herring Ford, Ryan’s Steak House, Coast Electric Power Association, Auto Zone, Quick and Grice, The Bait Shop, Skips on 43 and Coke-a-Cola.

I look forward to next year and congratulations to everyone at the PRC Touchdown Club for a great tournament. Be sure to catch up on all the fun in the outdoors, or make your own fun up. Nothing is as fun as putting a few bucks in a fruit jar and fish for winner takes all, or what ever format you would like.

I loved fishing with my buddies during the summer time and betting a coke on the biggest or most. It would be nice to be fishing the holes on Stanfield creek with Lee again or cast the many lakes and ponds that Tommy and I frequented. I guess we are all getting old, especially going to the area graduations and seeing kids from my classmates graduating. Be sure to enjoy the time you have with family and friends and as always, get outdoors and enjoy what Gad has given us.