Home arrow Press Room arrow S.T.A.R. Tournament Kicks Off
S.T.A.R. Tournament Kicks Off E-mail
The 101-day CCA/Mercury Outboards/CITGO Statewide Tournament and Angler’s Rodeo (S.T.A.R.) kicked off on Saturday, May 26 and concludes on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3. With potential prizes totaling $500,000, the 2007 S.T.A.R. is Louisiana’s richest and longest fishing tournament.

More than 10,000 CCA members participated in last year’s S.T.A.R. and an even larger crowd is expected this year, thanks in part to the competition’s newest prize: A new Chevy Silverado pickup. The Silverado pickup—named Motor Trend magazine’s truck of the year—is worth about $30,000 and goes to the first S.T.A.R.-registered angler who lands a 2007 S.T.A.R.-tagged redfish.

“A lot of the extra excitement around this year’s S.T.A.R. is because of the Chevy Silverado,” said Sam Barbera III, CCA S.T.A.R. Tournament Director. “Somebody’s going to win the truck and everybody is saying, ‘it might as well be me.’ Pre-registration for S.T.A.R. has been red hot and anglers need to keep in mind: they must be registered to be eligible for a prize.”

While the Silverado is grabbing much attention, it is only one of a number of improvements to the tournament, which features a potential $500,000 worth of prizes in numerous categories. Most of the prizes are well-equipped boats and motors of various sizes and horsepower.

Registering for S.T.A.R. is perhaps the easiest – and cheapest – part of fishing for a CCA member: The tournament entry fee is $20 for current CCA members. Non-members must join CCA ($25 dues) and pay the $20 registration fee.

Anglers can register for S.T.A.R. in several ways: through the Web site (www.CCASTAR.com); by calling the CCA office at (225) 952-9200, or by completing instant entry forms available at all S.T.A.R. weigh stations and instant entry stations, including all Academy Sports & Outdoors stores.

As many as 25 new boat, motor and trailer combos will be awarded in a number of divisions including two new ones: the Mangrove Snapper and Amberjack Divisions. Winner of the Mangrove Snapper Division gets a 16’ Alumacraft with a 25-horsepower Mercury and the winner of the Amedisys Amberjack Division takes home a $2,500 tackle package.

In addition to the Chevy Silverado, the signature Tagged Redfish Division offers anglers a chance to win one of nine rigged 211 Mako bay boats powered by 150-horse Mercury OptiMax engines. Fifty redfish have been tagged and released for the 2007 S.T.A.R.

The Early Times Speckled Trout Division offers S.T.A.R. anglers six changes to win in two periods in three zones: east, west and central. Speckled trout competitions in each zone are split into 50- and 51-day contests with the first running from May 26-July 22 and the second lasting from July 23-Sept. 3. The largest trout weighed by a S.T.A.R. angler at a registered weigh station during each competition in each of the three zones will win an 1800 Nautic Star bay boat powered by a 90-horsepower Mercury Optimax. The largest trout caught statewide wins a 22-foot Champion bay boat powered by a 175-horsepower Mercury Optimax.

Winners in the Louisiana Fish Fry Lemonfish Division will each receive an 1879 BayStealth skiff powered by a 50-horsepower Mercury, as will the winner of the Black Drum Division. The largest flounder weighed in each of the two competitive periods will win a 16-foot Triton with a 40-horse Mercury. Tackle packages worth $2,500 and $1,500 respectively will be awarded to the angler weighing the heaviest tuna (sponsored by Shimano) and sheepshead.

Anglers 17 years old and younger are eligible to fish and win in the Academy Sports & Outdoors New Tide Division. The Youth Division has four boat package prizes.
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]