On a last-minute Sunday afternoon trip, Thomas Solari and his fishing buddy Danny Lanza headed down the Calcasieu Ship Channel in search of speckled trout and redfish. Not long after the arrival to their favorite spot, the tide slowed down and the redfish started moving in.
They were catching and releasing over 27-inch redfish nearly every cast when Danny caught a keeper and put it in the box.
“On my next cast, I hooked a fish that I thought was a keeper,” Solari said. “When it got about 10ft. from the boat, I could see a bright red tag sticking out of its back and I yelled for the net.”
Solari netted the fourth STAR tagged redfish and the 18’ Freedom Patriot boat package complete with a 115 hp Mercury four-stroke.
After Solari searched the internet to see how to handle a CCA Louisiana STAR Tagged Redfish, he used the new Catch, Photo, Clip Release system where he took photos and video, clipped the tag and released it back into Calcasieu Lake waters to swim another day.
“We celebrated the catch with a couple of ice-cold brews and multiple phone calls to fishing buddies telling them of my catch,” Solari said. “My phone has been blowing up ever since.”
CCA Louisiana tags 100 redfish with red tags and 80 with blue tags. Registered anglers catching fish with a red tag can win: a truck and multiple Avid, Freedom and GatorTail boat packages. The blue tags net the winner “beer for a year” from Michelob Ultra.
The Chevy Silverado, the wrapped 23’ AVID Mag boat package, an additional 23’ AVID Mag boat package, and the first of three 18’ Freedom Boat packages have now been claimed but there are plenty of tags still out there and some incredible prizes like other boats from Freedom and GatorTail. STAR is one of the largest and richest saltwater fishing tournaments in the state, offering over $750,000 in prizes. The tournament spans the entire Louisiana coast and is open to anglers of every age. In addition to the Tagged Redfish Division, STAR has over 25 divisions, that cater to all types of saltwater anglers. The tournament lasts until Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2024.
“Just goes to show you, anyone, anywhere can catch a tagged redfish,” CCA STAR Director Sam Hopper said. “There’s a few weeks left in the tournament, anything can happen.”
Solari has been a member of CCA since the 80s when it was known as GCCA.
“If you are not a member of CCA and fishing the STAR Tournament every year,” Solari said. “You could be missing the catch of a lifetime.”
Registration for the tournament is only $35 with your CCA membership. To register as well as see a complete list of divisions, leaderboard, weigh stations, sponsors and rules, visit CCASTAR.com.
For more information about STAR, contact Sam Hopper at (225) 952-9200.