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| First S.T.A.R. tagged redfish nets angler $30,000 boat package |
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Fishing Tuesday morning with his recently retired father in Calcasieu Lake, Chris Vallette of Sulphur landed the first tagged redfish of the 2006 CCA Louisiana/Mercury Outboards/NAPA S.T.A.R. Tournament. The lucky redfish wins Vallette a water-ready 221 Mako bay boat powered by a 150-horsepower Mercury OptiMax engine and trailer valued at $30,000. “When the fish came up, I could see the little red tag,” Vallette recalled. “I told Dad it had a tag, and he tripped over things in the boat rushing to get the net. After he netted it, we put it on the bottom of the boat; that’s when we started celebrating with high fives.” Vallette’s redfish was the second major prizewinner since the 2006 S.T.A.R. tournament kicked off Memorial Day weekend. Beryl Eisworth of Zachary landed an 8.15-pound speckled trout off the Grand Isle Bridge to win herself at least a J16 Carolina Skiff with a 25 horsepower Mercury EFI Four-Stoke engine and a Magic Tilt Trailer. The two prize winning fish were both caught on live bait, Vallette luring his redfish with a mullet and Eisworth using a croaker. “The S.T.A.R. tournament is off to a great start with two big prize winners in the first two weeks but anglers need to remember that there are almost $500,000 worth of prizes yet to be won,” said CCA Tournament Director Sam Barbera. “In past years’ tournaments we’ve had several very sad fishermen who landed tagged redfish but had failed to register as S.T.A.R. participants.” S.T.A.R. registration forms are available at all Academy Sports and Outdoors stores and all tournament instant entry and weigh stations. Anglers can register online at www.CCASTAR.com or by calling the CCA Louisiana office at (225) 952-9200. The tournament entry fee is $20 for current CCA members. Non-members must join CCA ($25 dues) and pay the $20 registration fee. The S.T.A.R. tournament lasts 101 days, wrapping up on Labor Day. Fifty redfish are specially tagged and released at popular fishing locations statewide for the annual S.T.A.R. Tournament. The first ten caught by registered entrants win the Mako boat package. Forty-nine of those redfish are still swimming this year. Additionally, the S.T.A.R. Tournament has heaviest fish categories for speckled trout, flounder, black drum, yellow fin tuna and other species. An avid angler who fishes at least three times a week, Vallette has participated in the S.T.A.R. tournament since he joined CCA five years ago. As a shift worker at PPG Industries, Vallette, who is single, gets several days off at a time, giving him many opportunities to pursue his favorite pastime—fishing. Vallette presented his prize-winner at Cajun Fast Mart in Sulphur, an official S.T.A.R. weigh station. When asked if he had any advice for other anglers, Vallette responded: “I wouldn’t go fishing without registering for S.T.A.R. Anybody can catch any fish at any given time.” For more information, visit www.CCASTAR.com. |
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