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Angler learns S.T.A.R. lesson the hard way E-mail

Chad Taquino used to buy a ticket for the Statewide Tournament and Anglers’ Rodeo every year, but he stopped participating when he sold his boat a couple of years ago.

“It’s not that I don’t fish – I still do a lot of fishing in Grand Isle with a buddy of mine,” said the 41-year-old Milton, La. angler.

For two years, the decision to ignore the state’s biggest rodeo didn’t matter to him. He never caught a winning fish, so Taquino wasn’t concerned.

That all changed July 26 when the angler landed a redfish while trout fishing the beaches of Elmer’s Island. That 20-inch red sported a small tag that would have earned him a $25,000 boat – if only Taquino would have invested $40 in a S.T.A.R. ticket.

Oddly enough, the fish was almost put back in the water without anyone on the boat realizing what had happened.

“When I caught it, I wanted to throw it back because I’m not much on redfish; I prefer trout,” Taquino said. “I asked my buddies, and one of my friends said he wanted it. If nobody would have wanted it, I would have thrown it back.”

It wasn’t until Taquino began the chore of filleting the fish that the angler’s misfortune was discovered.

“When I started cleaning the fish, I put the redfish to the side, saving them for last,” Taquino said. “When I started cleaning it, I noticed a bunch of green slime sticking off the back of the fish.”

He still didn’t recognize the tag, since it was surrounded by the gooey slime. Taquino could feel the tag, but thought it was a bone. So he simply flipped the fish over and filleted the other side. When he returned to the slimy side of the fish, Taquino pulled on what he thought was a bone, and it snapped in half.

At that point, one of his buddies said the piece of “bone” looked like a fish tag.

“I wiped off some of the slime and saw some writing on it,” Taquino said.

After calling the Coastal Conservation Association, it was confirmed: Taquino had landed a $25,000 S.T.A.R.-tagged redfish.

If only the angler had taken the time to enter the tournament, he would have been the proud new owner of a 2250 FishMaster Travis Edition rigged out with a 150-horsepower Mercury outboard and Magic Tilt trailer.

Taquino said he couldn’t believe it. He did, however, learn a lesson.

“As soon as we hang up, I’m going to buy a ticket,” he said when interviewed. “I’m going to Academy to get a ticket.”

Taquino’s is the second confirmed catch of a tagged S.T.A.R. redfish this year. S.T.A.R. entrant Ronnie Haggard of St. Amant, La. won a fully rigged FishMaster for his efforts; he caught the red in Grand Isle on the first day of the tournament.

There are still 48 other tagged redfish swimming the waters of coastal Louisiana. Nine more boats are on the block to be won by registered anglers who catch tagged redfish, while another 12 boats can be won in various other divisions of S.T.A.R.

But, as Taquino found out so painfully, you have to be registered to win.

The tournament runs through Sept. 1, and entrants don’t even have to catch a fish to win. That’s because a 2003 Chevy Avalanche is being given away by a drawing to be held during the end-of-the-tournament banquet. The Avalanche is donated by Billy Navarre Chevy in Lake Charles; Service Chevrolet of Lafayette; Baton Rouge’s Gerry Lane Chevy, and Banner Chevrolet in New Orleans.

An entry costs $15 for current CCA members and $40 for non-members. The non-members’ fee includes membership into the conservation organization.

Anglers can register by logging onto www.CCALouisiana.com or calling CCA Louisiana at (225) 952-9200.
 
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