Anglers looking to land lunkers for Boys & Girls Club
“This is a fun way for fishermen to come out, have great time and help out a good cause,” said Russell Graeter, tournament chairman and Boys & Girls Club board member. “Last year we had 44 teams competing in the tournament.”
The tournament kicks off at 6 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. with the weigh-in at Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park on the northeastern shore of Lake Buchanan, 16942 RR 2341. Graeter said anglers can put their boats in anywhere on the lake in the morning, but they had better get to the park by 3 p.m. or otherwise their catch won’t be weighed and considered for the rankings.
“Up to two people can be on a team,” Graeter said.
But individuals can compete as well. The target species is black bass — small-mouth, large-mouth or spotted. Graeter said no striped-bass will be considered for the tournament championship. All bass must be more than 14 inches long. This is also a catch-and-release tournament. So after the weigh in, the fish will be released back into Lake Buchanan.
“You bring your best five fish for the weigh in,” he said. “The winning team will get $2,000. The amount of prize money for the other top placers depends on the number of entries we get.”
Graeter helped start the fishing tournament last year because he thought it would be a fun way to raise money for the Burnet unit of the Boys & Girls Club.
“I don’t know how many entries we have so far, but I think we’ll get more than last year,” Graeter said. “I think this is something that will only grow from year to year. There’s a lot of people who love to fish out there.”
The entry fee is $100 per team. Anglers can register at the Highlander Restaurant, 401 W. Buchanan, from 4-9 p.m. Friday and 4-6 a.m. Saturday. People competing in the tournament cannot fish Lake Buchanan from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.
Graeter said all fish must be caught on a rod and reel using artificial lures — no trolling or live bait.All the funds raised from the tournament go to the Burnet unit.
“On Oct. 18 we celebrated our fifth anniversary at the Burnet unit,” Graeter said. “These funds will help the Boys & Girls Club continue offering the programs they have in the past and continue to help our local kids. Right now (the Burnet unit) serves about 100 kids a day. And we have a waiting list.”
People who aren’t entering the tournament are still invited to attend the weigh-in at Canyon of the Eagles.
“I think the weigh-in will be pretty exciting,” Graeter said.
For more information on the tournament, call Graeter at (512) 715-2611 or tournament director Travis Warren at (512) 423-4473.
daniel@thepicayune.com