DANIEL TYLER GOODEN

PHOTO 1: A KISS FOR GOOD LUCK Jaxon Roussel plays around with his brother Rudy’s Lemon fish, caught in the Louisiana Sportsman’s Invitational fishing rodeo. (Staff Photo by Daniel Tyler Gooden) GRAND ISLE – Who said fishing was a sport of relaxation? The 13th annual Louisiana Sportsman Invitational fishing rodeo drew fishermen from all over the country for a weekend of fishing and fun. Hard-core fisherman spent their days and nights out on the piers or on the waters, famous for their plentiful fish. Spare time was reserved for hustling up bait, relaxing at the camp and if any time was left over, a wink of sleep. The weather was perfect for the three day fishing rodeo. After a few weeks of heavy winds blowing in off the gulf, the weather calmed down and the waters were smooth. The Bullfighter team, captained by Larry Roussel of Convent, St. James Parish started their trip late Wednesday night. Crab traps were set out, fishing reels restrung and the boat was prepped for three days of continuous operation. Thursday morning the crew got up, shook away their pains of relaxation the night before and started the work. Crab traps were checked and re-baited. Their clothes were wet and muddy from casting their nets and stocking up on shrimp and mullet. The biggest catch of the day was a 150 lbs. plus truck tire heaved in from their trawling net on the north side of the island. Ripped free from the docks where it served as a bumper, the tire complete with it’s chain ended up on the side of the boat, much to the teams displeasure. May no one have the difficult task of pulling such a unwelcome prize into the boat to be untangled from their nets. PHOTO 2: SUPPORTING GRAND ISLE the Louisiana Sportsman’s Invitional rodeo awarded Lorelei Nicholson and Jonathan Combel with college scholarships. (Staff Photo by Daniel Tyler Gooden) After a long afternoon nap the night crew was ready for business. At 12:01 a.m. the rodeo was to begin, and certainly the Bullfighter was out in the water ready for the long-haul. Thursday morning started the crew off right. From midnight to after daybreak the crew was pulling in Redfish. All night the reels were singing. By the time the sun was turning off the stars and brightening the sky, the Bullfighter’s crew was exhausted. As the reel spun and the redfish took off with the line, the fishermen would look at each other thinking it’s not my turn, I pulled in the last one.’ Scores of Redfish, most close to 25 pounds, were pulled in that night. The team took their limit of four, each one sitting right around 30 pounds. If this was an indication of what Grand Isle had in store for the team, it was going to be an excellent, if exhausting, rodeo. Unfortunately, though the top three Redfish made it on the rodeo board that day, they didn’t stay permanently. The fish still came in night after night, but certainly not of the same caliber. Nevertheless the night crew had a blast. There’s something about fishing. Whether you reel them in hand over fist or never get a bite, as long as you’ve got a line out and some friends to talk to, you won’t trade the experience for anything. The day crew made the board on a variety of fish. Bluefish, Spadefish, Lemon Fish, Jack Crevelle, Speckled Trout and others landed a place on the board as the day crew found some sweet spots in the water. In between fishing, more bait was netted (real fisherman have no need to buy bait, of course) and fish were cleaned. Crabs were boiled and beer was drunk. Though everyone was relaxed and having a good time, their minds weren’t far from their next turn at the reels. “You never know what your going to catch out here” they said and it was certainly true. A massive variety of fish was brought in by the fishing teams. Some fish were astounding in size others were astounding in their rarity. The rodeo lasted until 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The fishermen each moseyed past the board to see how they measured up. As the afternoon carried on, the LSI officials gathered everyone in the Sand Dollar Marina pavilion for the awards ceremony. Everywhere were sun-tanned skins and broad smiles. It felt good to fish and the fact the LSI were working for Camp Challenge in St. Charles Parish made everyone enjoy it the more. LSI founded the rodeo to help the camp, which provides camping experiences for cancer victims. for the last 13 years the group has been donating the money they’ve raised to make sure these kids get to live life like they should. Even down to the last minute, donations were being handed in to the officials for the camp. Also, in appreciation of Grand Isle, the rodeo again gave scholarships away to four Grand Isle High School graduates. Based on need, LSI annually helps out students with their education. This year Jonathan Combel, Lorelei Nicholson, Joscelyn Daily and Jennifer Gaudet were awarded scholarships. Sponsors also contributed to the rodeo, both in monetary donations and gifts given out to the fishermen. Blue Bell ice cream donated 350 ice cream snacks to keep everyone cool during the ceremony. In the end, it’s no wonder so many people fish the LSI rodeo. Everyone had a good time, whether you’re from Grand Isle, the River Parishes or across the country. Fishing Grand Isle waters seems to bring everyone together. When your talking about fishing in the south, the love of Grand Isle waters is something that every fisherman has in common. The winners, ranked by size, are: Adult Shoreline Division: Redfish: Bruce Dodd, 35 lbs, 6.5 oz; Gayle Pitre, 33 lbs; Bootsie Toups, 32 lbs, 12.75 oz. Sheepshead: Mark Davis, rodeo record, 7 lbs, 1.5 oz; Mike Brady, 5 lbs, 14.5 oz; Alice Landlois, 5 lbs, 12 oz. Red Snapper: Charles Bruce, rodeo record, 28 lbs, 3.25 oz; Margaret Hatten, 16 lbs, 9.5 oz; Danny Jackson, 16 lbs, 3.25 oz. Snapper: Keith Gremillion, rodeo record, 12 lbs; Brian Harries, 11 lbs, 9.5 oz; Brian Harries, 11 lbs, 3.25 oz. Spadefish: Paul Frey, 5 lbs, 9.5 oz; Gayle Roussel, 3 lbs, 14.5 oz; Magaret Hatten 3 lbs, 7.25 oz. Amberjack: Paul Trahan, rodeo record, 40 lbs, Ray Keller, 38 lbs, 12.75 oz; Ed Clark 36 lbs, 9.5 oz. Blue Fish: Tommy Templeton, 3 lbs, 4.75 oz; Ray Keller, 3 lbs, .75 oz; Ed Clark, 2 lbs, 15.25 oz. Bonito: David Hoff, 11 lbs, 3.25 oz; Scott Caillouet, 10 lbs, .25 oz; Brandon Frey, 9 lbs, 9.5 oz. Cobia: Clyde Hatten 45 lbs; Rudy Roussel, 44 lbs, 9.5 oz; George Simon, 38 lbs, 9.5 oz. Croaker: Brandon Frey, 1 lbs, .75 oz; Frank Dreher, 11.25 oz. Drum: Troy Glasgow, 22 lbs; Fred Wittber, 21 lbs, 9.5 oz; Brad Brown 12 lbs, 12.75 oz. Flounder: Brian Mathieu, 3 lbs, 12.75 oz; Michael Davidson, 10.5 oz. Grouper: Clay Ardoin, rodeo record, 49 lbs, 9.5 oz; Mike Brady, 30 lbs, Neal Foret, 16 lbs, 12.75 oz. Jack Crevelle: Evelynn Flynn, 29 lbs, 9.5 oz; Sam Jackson, 28 lbs, 3.25 oz; Jim Nicol, 27 lbs, 9.5 oz. King Mackerel: Jason Leblank, 34 lbs, 6.5 oz; Mel Richard, 28 lbs, 9.5 oz; Frank Dreher, 25 lbs, 12.75 oz. Spanish Mackerel: Scott Caillouet, 3 lbs, 12 oz; Robert Bohne, 2 lbs, 13.5 oz; John Wittger, 2 lbs, 13.5 oz. Speckled Trout: 6 lbs, 9.5 oz; Terry St. Cyr, 5 lbs, 6.5 oz; Terry St. Cyr, 5 lbs, 6 oz. White Trout: Darryl Efferson, 4 lbs, 6.5 oz; Clarence Foret Sr., 3 lbs, 9.5 oz; Darren Dier, 3 lbs, 3.25 oz. Blackfin Tuna: Daniel Landry, 23 lbs, 12.75 oz; Ronnie Carter, 17 lbs, 6.5 oz; Drew Landry, 16 lbs, 6.5 oz. Most Unusual: Look Down: Jim Morries, 12 lbs, .75 oz. Adult Blue Water Division: Barracuda: Victor Mann, 25 lbs, 3.75 oz; Jay Perniciaro, 14 lbs, 3.75 oz; Dan Theriot; 12 lbs, .75 oz. Dolphin: Kevin Higgins, rodeo record, 45 lbs, 12.75 oz; David Hoff, 2 lbs, .75 oz; Johnny Davenport, 2 lbs. White Marlin: tag and release, Kevin Higgins, rodeo record, 45 lbs. Yellowfin Tuna: Rusty Osteen, 64 lbs,m 12.75 oz; Brian Mathieu, 63 lbs, 9.5 oz; Dan Theriot, 58 lbs, 3.25 oz. Wahoo: Danny Krieger, 31 lbs; Briand Mathieu, 19 lbs, 12.75 oz; Chris Landry, 13 lbs, 3.75 oz. Best Boat: Shake That Thing, 14 points. Best Charter: Cherece IV. Best Angler: David Hoff. Spear Fishing Division: Sheepshead: Wayne Neyland, 5 lbs, 9.5 oz; Wayne Neyland, 5 lbs, 6.5 oz; Chase Donaldson, 5lbs. Cabera Snapper: George Donaldson, rodeo record, 96 lbs, 6.5 oz; Kurt Brignac, 23 lbs, 6.5 oz; Toby Rabalis, 22 lbs, 3.75 oz. Mangrove Snapper: Troy Westel, 13 lbs; Troy Donaldson, 12 lbs, 9.5 oz; Troy Donaldson, 10 lbs, 12.75 oz. Misc: Kirk Rhinehart, Drum, 36 lbs, 12.75 oz; Camero Brice, Almaco Jack, 30 lbs, 6.5 oz; Wayne Neyland, Drum, Wayne Neyland, 29 lbs, 9.5 oz. Best Dive Boat: Something Fishy. Best Dive Club: Get Em. Best Diver: Kirk Rhinehart, Get Em Dive Club. Junior Division: Catfish: Jaxon Roussel, 6 lbs, 15.25 oz; Jaxon Roussel, 6 lbs, 8.75 oz; Mathew Herman, 6 lbs, 8 oz. Croaker: Brian Siebert, 8 oz; Ryan Gautreaux, 6.5 oz; Renee Gautreaux, 6.5 oz. Sheepshead: Robert Vagas, 5 lbs, 9.5 oz; Justin McNabb, 4 lbs, 3.25 oz; Kassie McNabb, 4 lbs, .75 oz. Redfish: Gary Champagne, 37 lbs, 3.25; Jean Dufrene, 22 lbs, 6.5; Rudy Roussel, 19 lbs, 9.5 oz. Spadefish: Zack Lossett, 3 lbs, 11.25 oz; Zack Lossett, 3 lbs, 4.75 oz; Zack Lossett 3 lbs, 3.75 oz. Flounder: Robert Vagas, 2 lbs, 1.5 oz; Ashley Herman, 1 lbs, 9.5 oz; Warren Virgets, 1 lbs, 8 oz. Speckled Trout: Sheldon Cantelli, 3 lbs, 4 oz; Justin McNabb, 3 lbs; Kaitlyn Daucat, 2 lbs, 14.5 oz. White Trout: Robert Fisackerly, 2 lbs, 4 oz; Phillip Durrett, 9.5 oz; Eric Wondele, 9.5 oz. Drum: Steven Gros, 25 lbs, 6.5 oz; Rudy Roussel, 7 lbs, .75 oz; Megan Montgomery, 6 lbs, 15.25 lbs. Weighmaster: John Dameier. LSI officers: Leo Barbison, vice, Glen Vial, president, Carroll Richard, treasurer, Michael Cruthirds, Secretary.