Texas boy sets hook on a tagged red

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Thirteen-year-old Brian Martin of League City, Texas, landed the first tagged redfish of the 2011 CCA Louisiana/Mercury Outboards STAR Tournament, a fish that could have won him a Chevy Silverado pickup truck worth more than $30,000.
Unfortunately for Martin – who was fishing in Calcasieu Lake with his father, Chris Martin, and grandfather, Neal Watkins – the anglers had not registered for the 101-day mega-tournament.

Martin landed the coveted CCA-tagged redfish, one of 50 released off the Louisiana coast, Tuesday morning.

The family fished Big Lake with Captain Mark Huse of Hackberry Charters on June 13 and 14. They were not far from the old jetties working a bank with live shrimp and a popping cork when Martin landed the redfish.

The STAR Tournament lasts from Memorial Day until Labor Day and is one of the longest saltwater fishing tournaments in the country. Started in 1995 as a CCA membership generator, STAR is in its 17th year offering over $500,000 in prizes.
Martin’s grandfather, Neal Watkins, has been a CCA Texas Star member since its creation but never thought about joining Louisiana's event.

“I’m sure they enjoyed a wonderful family day of fishing, but it could have been an even more memorable day had they registered for STAR,” Tournament Director Rad Trascher said. “There are still plenty of tagged redfish to be caught and plenty of time to catch them. We encourage all anglers to register now so they are eligible for one of the many amazing prizes we are giving away.”

In addition to the Chevy Silverado, STAR participants who catch tagged redfish can win a Harley Davidson motorcycle and one of eight 2110 Sport Nautic Star boats with 150hp Mercury Outboards.

Simply by dialing 1-877-4CCASTAR (1-877-422-2782), anyone can enter STAR, anytime from anywhere – whether it happens on the way down to the coast, on the dock or days in advance of a fishing trip. Operators are standing by now to take STAR entries. But all must enter before fishing.