EASL Members Challenged by Weather at this year’s Saltwater Challenge

For the second consecutive year, foul weather proved to be the most challenging part of the “Terry Melancon Saltwater Challenge”.

EASL hosted this popular annual event for the tenth time, July 17 through 20 in Grand Isle. Turnout was a little lower than usual, probably due to the 70% chance of severe thunderstorms that was forecasted. But most of the regulars were not deterred, and even when that 70% turned into 100, they certainly didn’t let it spoil their fun.

The festivities didn’t officially kick off until Friday evening, but many folks extended their weekend by arriving a day early for some extra fishing and crabbing. EASL reserved three nights at two brand new camps, located adjacent to each other and right on Caminada Bay. Twenty-five members spent the weekend there, and the camps also served as the perfect headquarters for event activities.

The Friday night registration supper featured a full 18-gallon pot of delicious jambalaya cooked by Charlie Moore. It was as good as it gets, but it almost didn’t happen! At about 3 that afternoon, just as Charlie and his help were getting started, a terrible thunderstorm blew through for about an hour with heavy rain, lightening, and gale force winds – everyone was soaked. But after the storm finally passed through, it calmed down nicely and Charlie was able to do his thing – just a little later than planned. At the registration, thirteen teams, a total of 40 people, signed-up for the Challenge.

At around 3 a.m. Saturday morning, anxious fishermen were awakened by the distant rumble of approaching thunder. The storm was returning, and well before daylight the entire island would be slammed with high winds, heavy rain, frequent lightening and thunder so loud it rattled the dishes in the camp kitchen. It would have had to get better to be called a hurricane, and this went on all morning. But to everyone’s surprise, at around noon the storms finally cleared out, the wind calmed, and the sun even came out a little. There wasn’t much time before the 3 p.m. deadline so most people left the boats on the trailers, grabbed their tackle and headed up Hwy. 1 for some side-of-the-road tailgate fishing. The strategy didn’t work for everyone, but enough fish were caught to fill out every category, and more importantly, provide supper that evening.

And a fine evening it was; a beautiful island sunset, great food, good friends, and even some live entertainment. Good times, for sure.

-by Keith Saucier

SWC Neuts Raiders

“Newt’s Raiders”  Vince Diez Sr. and Thelma Diez; Frank King and Beverly Cook captured 1st place in 3 categories; 5 Largest Trout; Largest Redfish; & Other Fish

SW Bama Toad Stranglers

Team “Bama Toad Stranglers” Torey & Joe Hayden, James Mason, & Len Higginbothom took 2nd place in the category “2 Largest Reds under 27”.

 

SWC Team Optomism

Team “Optomism”; Vince Diez Jr (pictured), Valerie & Brad Hymel (not pictured) placed 1st in the “Largest Trout” category; and 2nd place in the “5 Largest Trout” category. At right is Krissie Deshautelles of Team “Fishy Business”. Krissie was the award presenter for the evening.

SWC Team Chasin Tail

Team “Chasin’ Tail”; members Steve Peltier, Keith Tassin, Jim Scott, Steve Shesser, & Rick Store, were the big money winners this year. They took 1st in the “2 Largest Reds Under 27”, Flounder, and Cajun Slam

SWC Barney & Dominic

Barney Callahan & grandson Dominic , part of Team “Red Runners”.

SWC Charlie Moore big trout

Charlie Moore caught the undisputed biggest trout of the weekend (one day too early). Charlie cooked an awesome jambalaya for everybody Friday night.

SWC Vince Jr frying fish

Vince Diez Jr. was the head chef Saturday night. Fresh caught fried fish & french fries.

SWC Fish cleaning

Fish cleaning experts Barney Callahan, Vince’s Sr. & Jr. gave a fish cleaning clinic.

SWC Friday night supper

Good friends enjoying the Friday night supper; Jambalaya & white beans by Charlie Moore. Good as it gets!

 

Terry Melancon Saltwater Challenge: July 18-19, 2014

Saltwater Challenge Time!  EASL’s 10th annual “Terry Melancon Saltwater Challenge” is coming next month: July 18th and 19th in awesome Grand Isle.

You don’t need a boat to fish with us. Some past winners have been surf fishers. Last year, Mac Daigle caught a 5 pound trout right off the pier of the camp – but it didn’t count because it was before the official start time. – sorry Mac! Also, the island has two brand new fishing bridges, and at Elmer’s Island you can drive a car right up to some of the best surf fishing in the world. There’s even a good lighted fishing spot right under those camps we rented.

EASL has reserved two really nice waterfront camps for our members to use. They’re almost full, but as of this writing there were still a few spots available. You can call Keith (225-715-9487) to check availability. Friday evening sign-up and all other event activities will be held at these camps. They’re located right behind the “Cajun Holiday Inn”, right over the bridge on your left.

If you haven’t yet made reservations for the weekend, it’s not too late, but you better make them now. There’s lots of lodging info on Grand Isle’s official website: http://www.townofgrandisle.com/lodging/

One more thing – we added a new optional “Cajun Slam!” category. See details below.

Friday, July 18th events:

  • 6:30 p.m.: Team sign-up at the camps behind Cajun Holiday; free supper (BYOB and chairs).
  • Midnight:  Fishing starts

Saturday, July 19th events:

  • 3 p.m.: Weigh-in at camps behind Cajun Holiday
  • 6:30 p.m.: Back to the camps for free fish fry (BYOB and chairs) and announcement of winners

Registration fee:

  • $10 for EASL Members, $25 for non-members (includes EASL membership). Registration fee includes dinner Friday & Saturday evenings. 100% payback to the winners.
  • Optional $10 per team for the Cajun Slam! category

Rules:

  • Entry fees must be paid no later than the Friday evening team sign-up.
  • Maximum of 5 anglers per team. (Note: Surf fishing, kayakers, & other anglers not sharing the same boat must remain within sight of their teammates at all times while fishing.)
  • Both live and artificial bait are permitted.
  • Fishing boundaries – anywhere within boating distance of Fourchon/Grand Isle
  • Fishing begins at midnight Friday – ends at weigh-in time.
  • Must be at the weigh site no later than 3 pm Saturday.
  • 100% of registration fees will be divided among winners of the following categories;
    • Combined weight of 5 speckled trout;  1st & 2nd place
    • Big spec;  1st place
    • Combined weight of 2 redfish under 27”; 1st & 2nd place
    • Big red (any length);  1st place
    • Big flounder;  1st place
    • Biggest ‘other’ fish; 1st place (“other” means any legal fish that does not fit any of the above categories).
    • All above category winners will share equal percentages of the total entry fees with the exception of the “other fish” category which will receive $20.  Second place finishers will receive an amount equal to one-half of the first place prize.
    • Cajun Slam! is the combined weight of each team’s biggest redfish, trout, and flounder. You don’t have  to catch all three to qualify. You can weigh one of each, or all 3, and those fish are also eligible for the other categories. The team taking 1st place in the Cajun Slam! category will get 100% of the optional $10 entry fee

This is going to be a lot of fun. Looking forward to seeing you there!

or more event info, contact Keith (225-715-9487).

saltwater challenge food

2012 Saltwater Challenge

saltwater challenge 2012 team fish or die

2012 Saltwater Challenge