The CCA Louisiana Statewide Tournament and Angler’s Rodeo (STAR) began its 19th year of competition on Saturday, May 25. One of the largest, and richest saltwater fishing tournaments in the country, offering over $500,000 in prizes, STAR spans the entire Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast and is open to anglers of every age. It lasts for 101 days as the tournament runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2013.
In the signature Tagged Redfish Division, the first 10 tagged redfish turned in by registered STAR anglers will win some incredible prizes, the first of which is a brand new Chevy Silverado pickup truck worth approximately $30,000. Any additional tagged redfish caught by STAR anglers will win a boat, motor and trailer package.
“We gave away a truck last year to one lucky angler,” said Rad Trascher, STAR Director. “All it takes is one cast that could change your life.”
“And it is so easy to enter STAR before going on the water,” Trascher said.
Sign up for STAR by dialing 1-877-4CCASTAR (1-877-422-2782), anytime from anywhere. Whether it happens on the way down to the coast, on the dock or days in advance of a fishing trip, operators are standing by to take your call. All must enter before fishing.
The Nautic Star Speckled Trout Division offers STAR anglers four chances to win in four zones: east, southeast, southwest and west. The heaviest trout in each of these divisions will win a Nautic Star, Mercury and trailer package. The Mississippi Division returns for its second year, awarding a boat, motor and trailer package to the heaviest speckled trout caught.
Boat packages will also be awarded in heaviest fish divisions for speckled trout, flounder and kayak divisions. The heaviest flounder weighed will win a 16’ Weldbilt with a 40-horse Mercury and the heaviest trout caught in each of the four Kayak divisions (east, southeast, southwest and west) will win a brand new Hobie Outback.
This year’s STAR will see its offshore boundaries extended to now include the entire coast of Mississippi to the Alabama state line. $5,000 tackle packages are offered in the Mangrove Snapper (sponsored by Otto Candies LLC), Dorado (sponsored by K2 Coolers), Lemonfish and Red Snapper (sponsored by Whitney Bank) divisions.
Both the Fly and Sheepshead Divisions boast $1,500 gift cards to Academy Sports + Outdoors giving anglers an east and west division spot.
The successful Ladies’ Only division continues to make a buzz with the female anglers around the state as they have their chance to win a $2,500 travel voucher for reeling in the summer’s heaviest trout.
All kids 17 and under participate for free courtesy of Academy Sports + Outdoors. All they need is a current CCA membership and register for the tournament. Their entry into the tournament is free.
The Louisiana Youth Division will award winning opportunities in four divisions: east, southeast, southwest and west. One of four boat, motor and trailer packages will be given to a lucky New Tide angler who weighs in a speckled trout or flounder measuring at least 14 inches. The Mississippi Youth Division also awards a boat, motor and trailer package to a lucky youth angler who catches a flounder or speckled trout. Winners for both the Louisiana and Mississippi Youth Divisions will be randomly drawn at the end of the tournament. New Tide anglers are also eligible to fish in all other STAR divisions.
The Calcasieu Calcutta returns for the fourth year in a row. Participants fishing on Calcasieu Lake may catch, weigh and release live speckled trout at Calcasieu Point Landing to be entered into the Calcutta. Winners will be determined by the heaviest trout registered and released alive.
There are weigh stations throughout the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast: Cajun Fast Mart, Sulphur; West Marine, Lake Charles; Calcasieu Point Landing, Lake Charles; Pecan Island Food Store, Pecan Island; Gulfway Sporting Goods, Kaplan; Maxie Pierce’s Grocery, Intracoastal City; Don’s Boat Landing, Erath; Dago’s, Lydia; Ivy’s Tackle Box, Morgan City; Four Point Landing, Dulac; Eschete’s Seafood, Houma; Tradewinds Marina, Cocodrie; Boudreaux’s Marina, Cocodrie; Gail’s Bait Shop, Leeville; Port Fourchon Marina, Fourchon; Bridgeside Marina, Grand Isle; Sand Dollar Marina, Grand Isle; Joe’s Landing, Barataria; Myrtle Grove Marina, Myrtle Grove; Delta Marina, Empire; Venice Marina, Venice; Cypress Cove Marina, Venice; Breton Sound Marina, Hopedale; Seabrook Harbor, New Orleans; Shubert’s Marine, New Orleans; Puglia’s Sporting Goods, Metairie; Chag’s Fishing and Marine Supply, Metairie; Roussell’s, La Place; Bayou Adventures, Lacombe; Dockside Bait and Tackle, Slidell; Rigolet’s Bait and Seafood, Slidell; Bay Marina, Bay St. Louis, MS; The Tackle Box, Gulfport, MS; Gorenflo’s Tackle and Marina, Gulfport, MS; and Mary Walker Marina, Gautier, MS.
For more information about STAR, contact Rad Trascher at (225) 952-9200 or visit CCASTAR.com.
Entering its 30th year, CCA Louisiana is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the state. With more than 30,000 members and volunteers in 24 local chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. Visit www.CCALouisiana.com for more information.
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