gulf shores: Baytown duo takes top prize in tourney

By Richard Kotrla
Correspondent

Published July 3, 2006

TIKI ISLAND — Rainy skies proved to be an expected challenge for fishermen competing in the Redfish Nation Series Redfish Tournament, which ended today with the Baytown team of Tim Young and Jason Catchings walking away with the $15,000 first prize.

Their combined weight total for two days of fishing was 26.77 pounds.

The tournament, which was sponsored by Academy Sporting Goods, had 38 entries that competed over a two-day period for the prize money and the right to compete in the Redfish Nation Series national tournament in September at Gulf Shores Alabama. The tops teams from this tournament earned the right to compete in that event.

Todd Casey of Galveston and his partner, Joe Lindeman of South Padre Island, placed with fourth with a two-day total of 21.11 and will advance to the national event.

“The rain definitely had a negative effect on the fishing,” said Bob Sealy of Redfish Nation Magazine, who sponsors the series. “Fish just behave differently when it’s raining, and it makes it hard for the fishermen to figure out their feeding patterns.”

There were several fishermen from the Galveston area who fished in the tournament, which Sealy calls the “semi-pro division” of the popular Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup series that is featured on ESPN’s “Saltwater Sunday” television series. That tournament made a stop in Kemah last month.

“This particular tournament series is designed for those fishermen who want to learn to fish in tournaments,” Sealy said. “This gives them a chance to decide if they can or want to compete in the Redfish Cup.”

In conjunction with the tournament, the popular Berkley Strike Team appeared at the Galveston Academy Store. Visitors to the store during the tourney weekend had a chance to have their rods refilled with free fishing line, saw product demonstrations and had a chance to engage in fishing video game.