I have been sprung like the beginning of spring and I’m itching to pull the trigger on some tournaments. How about you? I have seen the twinkle in a lot of angler’s eyes, whether it be bait or lure anglers, spring always gets excitement going. I know trout tournaments have kicked off and I’ve been itching to participate but have also been very busy doing the two things they say are best about owning a boat; selling it and buying a new one. Hopefully by the time you read this I will be done with both and will see you all at the first IFA Redfish tournament on April 5th in Port Aransas. I will be sporting my new Majek Illusion, 225 Yamaha SHO, and custom Coastline Trailer.
Tournament weigh-ins can be filled with excitement, pressure or disaster. Don’t spring your catch. The disaster I speak of is dropping your fish on the deck or even worse, in the water. After you have fished many years in tournaments and everyday fishing you will think you’ve seen it all. Here is a few do’s and don’ts that I believe make a difference in tournament weigh-ins as well as fish cleaning. If you don’t own a weigh-in bag please get one. Most tackle shops and sporting goods store carry them. All lure tournaments provide one. If you fish bait tournaments and they have live weigh-ins the bags they come in handy. I find that putting your fish in a bag is the best way to transport them. Lower the water level in your live well to a little below the fish’s back. At this point place the bag in front of the fish’s head and fill with enough water to cover one or two fish depending on if they want one or two or more in a bag.
With the bag submerged on one end near the fish’s head slide the fish into the bag without removing him/her from the water. Once the fish is completely in the bag pick it up out of the tank. Watch your footing getting out of the boat until you are on firm ground. The biggest thing is not to lift the fish out of the tank without them being secured in a bag, which is a recipe for disaster. Trout seem to be easier to bag than redfish. Redfish will give you a hard time especially if you have taken care of them. Reds are very strong and will soak you with water or give you a good slap on the wrist. Once you have performed this technique enough you will learn to sneak up on them. Again, be careful with your footing at the dock when transferring fish from the boat to the dock in an ice chest, bucket or bag. This is where most accidents happen. When cleaning your fish at the area bait stands cleaning stations be careful and don’t place them on the edge near the water if you can help it. On hot days try to keep water temps down in your live well by placing frozen jugs of water or ice bags to lower the temperature. Be aware that there are new live well systems out there that claim to keep water temperatures down. I have not yet come in contact with them or heard any feedback regarding their performance.
I would like to congratulate the winners of the Rudy’s Trout Tournament held at Marker 37 on March 15. 1st place was a couple of good friends and some of the best anglers on this coast Mark Robinson and Shane Prince with a weight of 22.6lbs, 2nd place went to Brett Sweeny and Jason King with a weight of 19.73lbs and 3rd place went to Jimmy Lloyd and Jeff Steckler with a weight of 17.54lbs. Great job gentlemen!!! Hope to see you on the water soon practicing CPR&S Catch, Photo, Release and Smile for your kids and future generations.