On
the top of my list this month was covering the Minimalist Challenge, a kayak tourney hosted by the BCKFC. A
full field of twenty-five kayak angler’s hit the water at 5:30 am. from Bessons Marina in Galliano.
The anglers were pitted against each other as in most fishing tournaments, but the Minimalist Challenge was delightfully different
when it came down to tackle. The acronym KISS (keep it simple stupid) would be applicable. The
tournament provided the only tackle the anglers could use for the day: two jig heads, two pieces of plastic, top water bait
and a stringer. The tackle was donated by Texas Tackle Factory and the colors of plastic lures, Liquid Shrimp and Texas Roach,
sounded tasty. The challenge was to load as many legal fish on your stringer and be back at the Launch for noon to weigh-in.
Winner take all. What a better way to determine the best fisherman on this given day. Same tackle, same water, same type of
boat, the only difference would be skill and strategy.
My
wife and I headed “up the bayou” to Bessons Saturday morning and arrived at the weigh in just in time to share
the stories and snap a few photos. Spirits were high and everyone had a great time. I met newcomers to the club and talked
with many of my “ole timer” buddies. It would be fitting to comment that this club has been around for five years
now and has officially grown to the point where the term “ole timers” applies.
The top three stringers
were:
1st Place: David Rogers……..23.10 lbs. Winning $150.
2nd
Place: Roy Pendergraft..15.10 lbs.
3rd Place: Mel Landry………..13.6 lbs
I got to tell you, I like this format. I followed the event from its conception and monitored the thread on the club
website www.bckfc.org . For those hardcore young guys that slept in their vehicles on the Wal-Mart parking
lot in their vehicles I applaud your tenacity. To the seven die hards who paddled all the way to the Sulphur Mine I say “You
da Man!” That paddle must have been a test of strength and persistence as pre frontal winds blew
hard all day making the trip back to the landing quite a long haul. Water conditions
were great and the water temperatures have steadily been on the rise. Given the limited tackle, I was impressed
with the stringers. Only two contestants got skunked (names withheld to protect the innocent). Enjoy the
pictures below!
