Richard Moore Outdoor Report: STAR Tournament

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The biggest and richest fishing tournament on the Texas coast is just about to start. 

With more than $ 2 million in prizes and scholarships offered, the STAR, or State of Texas Anglers Rodeo, casts off this weekend. 

Ryan Towns, assistant director for the Coastal Conservation Association or CCA sponsored tournament, and his tagging team just released 18 of the prize-winning fish in the Lower Laguna Madre. 

“This is the 37th year of the CCA Texas STAR Tournament that starts this Saturday, May 24, at 6 a.m. and runs through September 1. Over 101 days of consecutive tournament action, over $2 million in prizes and scholarships up for grabs.” 

The annual STAR tournament serves as a fundraiser and membership drive for CCA’s many marine conservation efforts, and there are plenty of chances to win a valuable prize, such as a boat, truck, or scholarship, with the catch of a tagged redfish along the Texas coast. 

“We are releasing 126 tagged redfish up and down all 600 miles of the Texas coastline. That is approximately one every 4.7 miles, so there is one in your backyard. So get out there and fish this summer in STAR," said Towns.

The first five red-tagged redfish, like this one just released out from Port Mansfield, that are caught by registered anglers will win them a truck, boat, motor and trailer. 

“That was a red-tagged redfish good for a Ford F-150 and a Haynie boat," said Captain Charlie Buchen.

Once you log on and register with CCA, you also have the chance to win Whataburger or beer for a year. 

“So you will win Whataburger for a year if you catch one of them. There are three of them up and down the coast. We have the Lone Star 1774 tag, the national beer of Texas, and you will win beer for a year if you catch one of those tags," added Towns.