Redfish Classic Kicks Off in Texas

The Elite Redfish Series “Redfish Classic” held at the City of Orange Boat Ramp in April showed that Texas has what it takes when it comes to redfish and redfish anglers.

Texan Clark Jordan weighed in a three-day total of 70 pounds for a big win.

This was his second victory in as many classics, and he won handily. Second place Dwayne Eschette had a 65.40 bag. Third place was Kevin Broussard with 61.38 while Kevin Akin took fourth with 59.92 and Mark Sepe with 59.63 at fifth.

Jordan won a $75,000 Yellowfin boat and $5,000 cash for his efforts and set himself up as being the top angler on the Redfish Elite Series trail.

A three-day total of 70 pounds is impressive when you consider that’s with a three fish limit here in Texas. Overall, the average redfish weighed at the event was 7.01 pounds, and the average weight per participant was 28.06 pounds.

A total of 31 anglers weighed in 128 redfish weighing 897.91 pounds. The average angler catch was 4.13 fish and the live release weight was 127. In other words only one fish perished at or before the scales.

Jordan’s winning bag of 70 pounds consisted of nine reds. That’s a nearly eight-pound average and when you are talking about fish in the Texas slot limit of 20-28 inches those are huge.

• • •

Wardens Aid in Houston Area Floods

Texas game wardens have been busy responding to devastating floods that inundated a dozen southeast Texas counties over the last few days, conducting over 170 water rescues of individuals and families who were caught in the quickly rising waters.

“The Texas game wardens’ knowledge of the waterways and back country areas have allowed them to quickly locate and rescue those who have been trapped by the floods,” said Texas Game Warden Maj. William Skeen. 

“Conditions out there have been difficult, but I’m very proud of the efforts by our game wardens,” he said. “They have saved many lives. Regardless of how dangerous it is, our men and women will stay engaged with local communities and state response efforts until this event is over.”

Wardens were dispatched in all affected counties, including: Palo Pinto, Parker, Johnson, Harris, Waller, Austin, Montgomery, Grimes, Fayette, Colorado, Falls and Milam. In addition to water rescues, wardens conducted 78 evacuations, rescued 27 pets, performed 240 welfare checks and assisted in the recovery of one fatality in Waller County.

For more than 100 years, Texas game wardens have provided professional law enforcement, search and rescue and water safety while working to conserve and protect our natural resources. Texas game wardens respond locally to natural disasters and also operate a statewide search and rescue team. Game wardens also work closely with the Texas Division of Emergency Management during large-scale disasters.

• • •

Alan Henry produces its first Sharelunker in nine Years

After 4.5 months with no entries into the Toyota ShareLunker program, Bruce Butler of Amarillo ended the dry spell with a 13.13-pound fish from Lake Alan Henry.

Butler caught the season’s second ShareLunker about 4 p.m. April 13 from the reservoir southeast of Lubbock. 

It was 26 inches long and 21 inches in girth. No other details on the catch are available.

ShareLunkers are no stranger to either Lake Alan Henry or Butler. In 2004 Butler caught ShareLunker 364, a 14.8-pounder, also from Alan Henry. That fish came during a spate of catches from the lake that saw it produce 22 ShareLunkers between 2004 and 2007.

Lake Alan Henry is now tied with Sam Rayburn Reservoir for second place in the number of entries into the ShareLunker program, 26. Only Lake Fork, with 257, has produced more.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens.

The person who catches the season’s largest entry will be named Angler of the Year and will receive a prize package from G. Loomis of a top-of-the-line rod, Shimano reel, PowerPro line and G. Loomis hat. If the Angler of the Year is a Texas resident, that person will also receive a lifetime Texas fishing license.

ShareLunker catches can be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the season, by calling 903-681-0550. If poor cellphone service prevents use of the voice number, anglers can leave a phone number (including area code) at 888-784-0600. 

That number is also monitored 24/7 during the season.

From staff reports

 

—from TPWD

Return to CONTENTS Page