By DON DUBUC

If there was such a thing as fisherman’s word association and I said “tournament” the number one response would be “bass” right?

Of course it would, but there is another type of tournament circuit, although little known, that is growing.

“What we’ve tried to do is provide some competitive fishing contests for the thousands of anglers who fish for sacalait, crappie or white perch depending on where you catch ’em,” said director of Louisiana’s Best Sacalait/Crappie Tournament director Dan Thornton. “Not everyone can afford the big expensive bass rigs and we’ve tried to keep the entry fees affordable for the average fisherman.”

Rules are similar to bass tournaments but there are some differences. The biggest difference is that live bait, a big no-no in bass tourneys, is OK for these events.

Fishermen can participate as a two-man team or as individuals and a seven fish limit applies. Like bass tournaments, fish must be brought to the scales live with a .10 pound penalty assessed for each dead fish weighed.

Entry fees are $60 per team per tournament with a $10 late fee added if paid after Wednesday preceding each tournament.

A one-time $20 membership fee is required. One hundred percent of entry fees are paid back to the top finishers.

There is a bonus prize of $250 to first place and $50 for second place through the last paid places for anyone whose complete fishing rig was purchased from Gulf Coast Boats of Lafayette.

The circuit’s first tournament was held at Fausse Point last weekend and there are six tournaments remaining followed by a Classic.

The schedule includes tournaments at Lake Verret at Bayside Marina (March 17); Henderson at Basin Landing (April 7); Old River at Old River Landing (May 19); Spillway at Doiron’s Landing (June 23); Mermentau River at Dupe’s Landing (July 14) and Bayou Sorrel at Sorrel Landing (Aug. 4).

The Classic (Sept. 15) location will be announced at the end of the qualifying tournaments. To be eligible for the Classic, a team must fish a minimum of four qualifying tournaments.

For a list of complete rules and more information, Thornton can be contacted at 800-738-6537 or 225-638-4413 or by writing to Louisiana’s Best, P.O. Box 126, Ventress, LA 70783.

Boat show in town

The New Orleans Boat & Sportfishing Show in the Louisiana Superdome wraps up Sunday evening at 6 p.m.

In addition to the latest model boats, motors, engines, personal watercraft, trailers marine electronics, fishing gear, marine finance and insurance, there are lots of demonstrations and events for kids.

Among those scheduled to appear on the Fishin’ Fever Travelin’ Fish Tank are Gary Hain, Steve Shook, Rick Clunn, Steve Shook, Bob Gourgues and Charlie Thomason. Events for kids are “The Great American Duck Race,” the Camp Chevy Fishing pond stocked with farm-raised catfish, and photos with “Skipper” the dolphin, the show’s official mascot.

Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for children 6-12 and under 6 no charge.

Final weekend for hunters

Except for the special goose conservation order in effect through March 10, this is the final weekend for Louisiana hunters until the March 23 statewide opening of turkey season.

The quail and rabbit seasons end Thursday at one-half hour after sunset. This has been an exceptional year for rabbit hunters.

This appears to be one of those population boom years that seem to run in cycles. Quail hunting continues to decline as suitable habitat for public hunting continues to vanish. The future of quail hunting lies in the success of commercial shooting preserves where pen-raised birds are released in a controlled environment.

“Wild” nightlife

Families are invited to go “wild” March 9 from 6-9 p.m. at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center.

The program will feature a journey into the world of nocturnal creatures such as owls, opossums, skunks, bats and more. Refreshments will be served along with other fun events that explore the wild world of nighttime inhabitants.

The Nature Center is located in Joe Brown Memorial Park at the Read Road exit off Interstate 10 in New Orleans.

Admission for member adults is $5, for child members $4 and for non-member adults, $7 and $6 for non-member children.

For more information call 504-246-5672.

DON DUBUC is the outdoors reporter for L’Observateur.