[StBernard] Redfish tournament this weekend in St. Bernard

[Westley Annis]

Redfish tournament this weekend in St. Bernard

wwltv.com

Posted on March 22, 2012 at 1:07 PM

Today was great weather if you're a duck or a fish, but not for fishermen.
Unless of course you're competing in a tournament for cash and other prizes
like the 35 teams participating in this week's HT Redfish Series in St.
Bernard Parish. Today and Friday are qualifying days with only the top 10
teams earning a spot in Saturday's finals.

The anglers we interviewed this morning were concerned the changes the
recent weather produced including high, dirty water, the result of stiff
south and east winds switching around to the north. Any pre-tournament
scouting trips are pretty much worthless as ponds swelled into small bays
causing redfish to relocate.

The key to winning will be adjusting successfully to the changing conditions
while on the water today and tomorrow. By Saturday the fish should be
returning to the pre-storm patterns which calls for even more adjustments.

The 2 contestant teams represent anglers both professionals and amateurs
from Florida to Texas. Each team is allowed to weigh two 16-27 inch fish per
day. All fish must be caught on artifical bait only and there are weight
penalties for any dead fish.

The tournament was originally set at Gulf Outlet Marina on Paris Rd in
Chalmette but due to high water from the southeast winds forcing closure of
the Bayou Bienvenue locks the tournaments have been moved to Breton Sound
Marina in Hopedale with both the Thursday and Friday weigh-ins set for 3pm
there. On Saturday the 10 top teams will again leave from BSM but the final
weigh-in will be held in Chalmette at 3pm at the LA Crawfish Festival site.
All weigh-ins are free and open to the general public.

Listening to the post weigh-in interviews can provide valuable information
fo r weekend anglers. I'll be at Breton Sound Marina broadcasting live on
WWL 870 radio announcing the final top 10 teams and their totals.

Next Thursday - fishing out of Slidell with Captain Mike Gallo! Hook 'Em
Hard!

Don Dubuc