Now that hunting season has ended for most of Texas, it is time to put the guns back in the safe and get the rods and reels out because it is fishing season again. The weather and the water are beginning to warm back up and so are the fish.
Jim Elrod and Scott Simmons of Simrod Outdoors are founders of the Cabelas Saltwater Tournament Trail, home of the Redfish and Trout Series in Louisiana and Texas.
This year's Redfish Series line-up will kick off its 4th year in a row in Port Aransas on March 6. There are 125 teams entered for the tournament and tournament co-founder Simmons said they expect the waiting list to get up to 50 boats.
This year's tournament contenders will range from local legends such as Cliff Webb, the 2008 Team of the Year Aaron Loomis and Glen Hornsby, to 18-year-old captains.
The Texas Saltwater series is not just for the pros – there are several categories including the children's, kayaking, father and son, and husband and wife divisions. The tournament allows wade fishing, but is an artificial-lures-only tournament. There will be a live weigh-in on Saturday, March 6 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
The live weigh-in, or as Simmons called it, "the 4th quarter" and the day that "matters most," will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon
In 2010, $350,000 in cash and boats will be awarded. In every tournament throughout the series, there will be a $400 entry fee for all 125 teams.
For every tournament, the payout will be 40% to all teams fishing in the top 25, including points towards the Overall Team of the Year cash and prizes.
"This year is going to be exciting," said Simmons. The predictions have all been good according to Texas Parks & Wildlife and "The fish are all looking healthy."
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