Tagged Fish Count Continues to Grow with Second LASS Tournament of 2014
OutdoorHub 04.08.14
Anglers landed, tagged and released 71 redfish at Saturday’s Louisiana Saltwater Series Redfish Tournament in Lake Charles at Calcasieu Point Landing. This iconic fishing tournament continues to welcome anglers from across the Gulf Coast to fish in Louisiana’s bountiful waters.
Bart Crader and Todd McKellar, a pair of hard-fishing Louisiana buddies, claimed victory this weekend, competing in their first LASS tournament with a two-fish total weight of 15.29 pounds, earning them over $3000 in cash and prizes.
McKellar said they had a great week of practice and pre-fishing, which in turn helped the team to eliminate many locations that weren’t producing. “Many of the ponds we were fishing lost water from the tide, and we had to change plans, which worked out to our advantage. To win against this caliber of anglers is pretty special,” explained McKellar.
Top finishers included: Gary and Gus Wilson, III, second place; Jason Ellender and Robbie Trahan, third place; Vince Theriot and Ray Christy, fourth place. Charlie and Hunter Howell took home the smallest fish prize.
The tournament continues its secondary mission of exposing youth to the sport of fishing and the catch-and-release approach to conservation. Christopher McElveen, who fished alongside his father Michael, is practically a celebrity within the tournament series, and has competed in well over a handful of LASS tournaments in the Youth Division.
Sponsors for the 2014 series include Shimano, King Cooker, SeaTow New Orleans, Bomber Baits, Cabela’s, Standard Mapping, Omega Protein, Chevron, YETI Coolers, Frabill, Work Sharp Knife Sharpeners, PowerPro, Costa del Mar and Coors Light. A special thanks to Front 2 Back Boat Service for providing a meal to all of the competitors.
The LASS is hosted annually by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, the tournament’s non-profit partner. The LWFF was formed to provide a means for individuals and corporations to become partners with the Department and Commission in the challenge of conserving Louisiana’s wildlife and fish resources.
Visit www.lasaltwaterseries.com for the 2014 schedule, registration and additional details. The tournament’s next stop is The Dock/Dockside Bait and Tackle in Lake Slidell on May 3.
