Cruised down Thursday after work and yes, I stopped on side the road to cast a few times. I was utterly disturbed seeing a flounder and trout that a shore fisherman had left on the ground. Shameful! Rolled into Bridgeside right at dusk and was very pleased to see Eric Stacy, who’s been absent for over a year. Then saw Wade Barbay who has also been absent! So great to see all the members at these events! Hung out for a while, then unloaded my gear and got in bed just before Jonathan Aucoin arrived. We spoke briefly and I was out like a light.
Friday
Jonathan and I had some Cafe Bustello and discussed our plans to fish the east end of the island. Based on the wind, we decided the kayak launch would be safer and rolled out. There were 3 kayaks that had already left the launch heading to the island and we got away fairly quick and headed for the reef. Had lots of blowups on topwater and finally connected, landing a legal trout, then another. We got to an area with lots of activity and a huge trout exploded on my topwater, drag screaming. It crossed the reef and dove until the Gamagatsu #2 EWG did its job and hooked the reef. Neither the bait or fish have been seen since. We were in an area that had fish, but evidently lots of small ones, with a few larger trout hanging around. Jonathan mentioned the weather and started heading back, while I saw something move and went a little further to catch a 19″, 18″ and 14″ trout, in about 5 casts. Tournament possibilities. Then I pedaled out to the rocks and started working my way back. Yeah, I got caught, but it wasn’t horrible, just wet and a little cold. When I got back to the launch, Devon Himel was out in the rain strapping down her rig in the rain. Everyone else was hiding in their truck. It was pretty much done so I backed my truck up and started loading. Jonathan came out and I introduced him to Devon and we told her to come on with us to the next spot, which was Fourchon. I was the first away from the launch and saw a red on the first point, unbelievable! I cast my fresh Bomber topwater to the next point and bumped it about 4 times before the red smashed it. 24″ red in the boat. Interesting. We all split up and I made about a 2 mile circle, catching a 17″ trout, 3 reds in 24 to 26 range and a bunch smaller, probably 25 in all. Best day of red fishing in quite some time. I ran into Devon and she’d had little success with the topwater I’d given so I showed how to properly rig and work, catching another red in front of her after 3 casts. Proof! The bite had kinda died so we fished our way back, running into Butch Ridgedell who’d had some trout success not far away. Seemed like a decent option for redfish on tournament day. While we were picking up, Coolhand Luke Beslin rolled up and exchanged pleasantries, loaded and rolled to Bridgeside. Josh Redd was in the room when I arrived. He, Jonathan, Luke Beslin and I were bunking for the weekend and had been upgraded to one of the new trailers which was very comfortable and clean. I showered and changed then drug everyone down to the pavillion to help me load Captain’s bags, which was my responsibility for the evening. When I got there, Josh Lewis(Tournament Coordinator II Extroidenaire), informed me he’d already stuffed ’em.
I was very thankful and had come early to fulfill my duty, so had time on my hands. Time to re-spool. A bunch of people were hanging out enjoying beverages, comiserating, and watching. When I’d spooled the first rod, I asked Josh to show us his FG knot with a Binini Twist finisher. Looked pretty crazy to me but appeared to be solid. Josh showed Jay Shueltis and I kept rigging. When I got finished, a couple people asked about topwater use so I gave lessons on the dock while waiting on dinner and Captain’s meeting. Next was Captain’s Bag distribution which included the best bags we’ve had in quite some time!
Spahr’s Chef Ryan Gaudet and his crew fed us a fantastic Cinco de Mayo meal of chicken fajitas and nachos. Not our usual but excellent way to enjoy double celebration. I was distracted during captain’s meeting then looked up and everyone had moved near the ice machine. We’d brought a unicorn (flounder) pinata and people were getting called up to take a wack with a paddle. Quite entertaining, especially when it busted open and a few hundred bucks worth of baits fell out! Participants were scrambling to grab baits off the ground, some reportedly on their hands and knees(Brenden Bayard). Excellent follow up and great way to end Captain’s Meeting.
Saturday
Butch Ridgedell and I had planned on going up to Bason’s to get big reds, normally my weak species, and left Bridgeside at 430 to do so. Just before leaving, Coolhand Luke said that one of us was going to win the tournament but with my recent lack of success, I doubted it was me. When we got to Bason’s, we noticed how low the water was and Butch doubted we could get to the area he had in mind. We agreed to scrap the idea and headed back south. I was in a little bit of a panic as I wouldn’t be in the water at 6, but had a plan. I launched south of Lance’s where I’d had some luck nearby. Josh Redd, Jay Shultis, and several other excellent anglers had launched there and had quite a head start. Lovely. I spoke with Esteban Herrara who was launching, not competing, and told him I just needed a 20 inch trout. He laughed and said him too! I pulled out ahead of him and cast out the fresh line just to test, all good. On the next cast, a gust pushed my Bomber to the edge of the grass. I popped the line to get the bait off and it came back to me like a whip, no bait. Lovely. I pedaled over and retrieved the bait, cursing Josh all the way. Tied a double half hitch into a loop, doubled it up and tied the leader to it while pedaling upwind to the next point. I cast twice in a fan pattern and just before the third cast, saw a big swirl in the current line. I cast upcurrent and a little past it, twitched the bait 3 times and an explosion erupted around my bait. Immediate tension occurred and the drag started screaming. I gave the fish plenty of time to wear it out but finally got it to the boat, and on the 4th pass, got it in net. Cafe Bustello was nothing compared to the adrenaline boost that charged my brain and body when I measured and photographed the 23″ trout. I was definitely supercharged and was confident I’d win 1st place big trout. I would normally release this size fish and felt bad putting it in the box. I was maybe 400 yards from the launch, yelled to Esteban I’d caught my trout and pedaled back to load up and roll to a redfish hole. My competitive spirit drove me for more.
I sent pics of the netted fish to a few people without the measurement just to boost their competition angst. Then launched by the first bridge, because it was early and no one was there. When I got to the area I wanted to fish, I missed a big red on topwater. I immediately threw a jighead at it a few times but nada. I missed another that looked small, then another hit sounded like a big trout, but ran to the grass like a red, which it was. I landed it and it measured over 24″. I came really close to letting it go, thinking I’d catch one bigger, but put it in the box. I threw topwater maybe 10 more minutes then decided to throw a double Gulp rig as there might be flounder around, and caught at least 10 more reds, and a slot drum, but no upgrades.
The weather started getting ugly so I put on my raincoat and started heading for the launch. Yeah, it caught me, and was much worse than Friday’s rain. I would call it a squall, real butt whipping like. Pretty hairy ride back through the marsh and of course into the wind and rain. Captain Wet@$$! I loaded up and stopped at Matherne’s Campground on Chenier Caminada to visit with Long Tran and Bruce Blanchard beneath the new pavillion as well as dry off a little. We comiserated over the weather and exchanged pleasantries, then I launched at the west side of the bridge. It was still windy and drizzling a little but I said the hell with my wet rain gear and pedaled towards Elmer’s, throwing the Gulp double rig ahead and into the hard falling tide. There was lots of offshore grass balls in the tide and I was pulling it off my line every second or third cast. So when I felt tension on my line, I reeled in fast and wouldn’t you know it, there was a little flounder hanging on. It measured 11 1/4″ and went on top my ice, so as not to shrink it more than necessary. I knew I was in slam money now and nonchalantly kept trying to upgrade my bag, with visions of splendor. I was near the beach when Josh called and said I’d better get to cover as this thunderstorm was bad and he was in Golden driving through Hail. Fabulous.
I pedaled hard and got to the rocks just as the rain and wind kicked in. It was blowing from my left hard enough to make me lean over into it so as not to flip out of the boat. Small Hail and brutal winds were buffeting me. It just got worse so when I got to the first piece of beach, I jumped out and pulled the Ghost up on the beach and ran, yes ran, to take shelter behind a camper. The wind shifted to the east and the rain was coming down sideways, so I backed around the corner to stay out of it. The whole time I’m watching the Ghost and a gust picked up the bow and it’s about to get blown off the beach, so I ran out and pulled it up further, then back to the camper. About 10 minutes later it died a little so I walked back out to check for damage. I’d knocked my net off the deck and it had buried itself in the sand like an anchor. The bungee tether attached to the Hrail was broken except for a thin strand and I’m pretty sure that’s what saved my boat, gear, keys, phone and possibly winning bag from the pass. I was completely soaked and very cold. Adrenaline spent, I mounted the Ghost, pedaled to the launch and loaded. All my towels were wet from the last storm so no relief available. I was only a couple minutes from Bridgeside so pulled up and put my ice chest in line for weigh in. I really wanted to go dry off but waited about 30 minutes, freezing wet, to sign in. I went to the room, dried off, changed, exchanged the days experiences with my bunkies then returned to the weigh in with my extra dry raincoat. Yeah, it was still raining and blowing. Anglers were piling in for weigh in and word had gotten around about my bag so people were thinking I’d won, but I didn’t get my hopes up as I’ve been there before. I waited in line and several people asked to see my fish and were underwhelmed until I lifted the bag of ice to reveal the trout. Gasps all around! When I finally got up on the stage to weigh, I grabbed the trout and held it over my head for a minute. It got real quiet for a second, then the crowd started whooping and wailing. It was awesome! I was at 9.96 pounds and found out someone was over 10. My weight held and I won second place. It’s awesome placing high in a big tournament. Doug Menefee won the Dosgris award for staying out too long and getting flipped from a waterspout that also turned over a shrimp boat in Bayou Lafouche very nearby. He took it well and I respect him for it. I’m also sad that he lost most of his gear and probably a winning bag as he’s a fierce competitor.
I heckled winners and won a rod in the raffle but donated it to the Tiffany Marcello doesn’t secure her equipment and lives in New Orleans found. Chef Ryan fed us an excellent fettuccine which effectively carbed me out. I was like a zombie. When the event was over and cleaned up, I went up to the room, had my fishing favorite desert Nutty Bar and milk, and passed out.
Sunday
Woke at 5, loaded up and rolled to the kayak launch to meet Eddie Tyre(Tyreeeeeeee!), Robert Burkhardt, Ben Day and Danny Compagno for some laid back fishing. Eddie, Ben and I drifted the rocks watching Eddie put on a topwater show. When the bite died, we all loaded up. Those ate up fools moved and fished somewhere else, like I usually would, but I was whipped. I rolled north and stopped for lunch at Spahr’s in Cutoff. Sitting in a restaurant for a meal was great. The place is very comfortable and the service is friendly. I had a salad with fantastic homade ranch and a cheeseburger poboy. Fabulous meal!
I stopped and bathed the Ghost and got home around 330, took a shower and passed out for 2 hours.
What an awesome weekend! Paddlepalooza 2023 went off without a hitch, except for the weather. Thanks to the Board for planning an awesome event! Thanks to all our great sponsors for making it happen. Thanks to our participants cause it ain’t a party without y’all and that’s why we do it! Thanks to the first time participants, looked like y’all fit right in and passed a good time! How can you be around that many people who like to do what you like and not have fun?!? Congratulations to all the winners! No, I still haven’t qualified for the championship, but will work on it. Yes, I can’t wait till next time! See y’all there!
