Thursday, May 10, 2001

CCA-Corpus Christi banquet tonight

One of fishing's biggest events - the annual CCA-Corpus Christi fundraising banquet - to benefit anglers' interests in the Coastal Bend and statewide is today.
   Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Bayfront Plaza Convention Center and the final auction gavel is scheduled to sound at 11 p.m.
   Tickets will be sold at the door.
   The $100 admission price into one of the biggest celebrations of conservation anywhere also includes a year's CCA membership, entry into the CCA-STAR tournament, arguably the best fishing contest anywhere, and a $40 charitable contribution to the organization that started it all.
   An active organization
   For an example of CCA's ongoing effort to preserve the sport fisherman's way of life, look no further than the organization's recent denouncement of a Texas Shrimp Association measure, which seeks to reduce the annual red snapper take by 6.12 million pounds. If successful, this petition could lead to the immediate closure of the fishery.
   CCA, along with the general scientific community, believes shrimp trawls have traditionally been responsible for killing a substantial number of juvenile snapper annually. CCA supports the use of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) on shrimp nets. It's the law.
   The TSA blames overfishing, primarily by recreational anglers, for a decline in gulf snapper stocks. CCA officials have referred to the petition as a veiled attempt to retaliate against CCA court victories that have upheld the BRD rule.
   These court battles are expensive, essential and part of CCA's commitment to its members.
   Up for auction
   This year's raffle boat is a 22-foot Pathfinder with a 150 horsepower Yamaha. Not too shabby. Auction items include an Alaska fishing trip, a North Carolina bluefin package, a billfish/roosterfish trip to Cabo San Lucas, British Columbia fishing, Maine grouse hunting, a Casa Blanca trip, original artwork by Herb Booth and Kent Ullberg, LASIK eye surgery and whitewing hunting in Mexico.
   Dozens of other pieces of fishing and hunting equipment also will be available at bargain prices through the silent auction.
   Expected at this year's banquet are Texas Parks and Wildlife Executive Director Andy Sansom, recently elected CCA-Texas President Terry Gray and newly elected CCA-Texas Chairman Will Ohmstede Sr.
   STAR tournament
   This year's STAR tournament will run May 26 through Labor Day, Sept. 3. The 101-day contest offers anglers multiple chances at nearly $1 million in prizes and scholarships.
   The tournament offers two new features this year, a teen scholarship division and a bonus drawing for fishing package to Alaska, Costa Rica and Brazil.
   But perhaps the most sought-after prizes are the Ford pickup/22-foot Blue Wave boat/Mercury outboard packages awarded to the first five lucky anglers who bring in one of the 60 tagged redfish CCA releases along the Texas coast prior to the contest. Few regrets match that of a fisherman who catches a tagged redfish before entering the tournament. It happens every year. Unregistered anglers caught six tagged reds last year.
   The second five STAR entrants who catch tagged redfish will win a Blue Wave 220 and trailer.
   For young anglers, STAR is an even better deal. Young anglers (under 18) can join the CCA youth group, New Tide, for $10 and enter the tournament for an additional $15.
   In the StarKids division, for anglers between the ages of six and 10, three $50,000 scholarships will be awarded or the heaviest flounder, gafftop and sheepshead. Three StarTeens entrants between the ages of 11 and 17 are eligible to win pre-paid college scholarships through the Texas Tomorrow program by catching the largest flounder, gafftop and sheepshead statewide.
   The StarTeens trout division offers scholarships to three anglers with the biggest trout greater than six pounds in their region.
   Current CCA-Texas members also pay a $15 STAR registration fee. Non-members must join CCA-Texas for $25, then pay the $15 STAR entry fee.
   Registration forms for instant entry into STAR, rules and a list of weigh-in stations are available at 100 locations statewide, including most Academy Sports and Outdoors stores and Oshman's SuperSports stores. Mail-in entry forms are available at participating Chevron stations, Ford dealerships, Whataburger restaurants, Texas Marine and West Marine stores.
   For STAR information, call (713) 626-STAR (7827) or visit www. ccatexas.org.