Kayak Fishing Rodeo Aug. 17 in Grand Isle

GRAND ISLE -  “Ride the Bull,” Louisiana’s first extreme kayak fishing tournament, will take place Aug. 17, 2013, at Bridge Side Marina in Grand Isle.

“Last year’s tournament drew 261 kayak fishermen, making it the largest kayak fishing tournament in the state and the third largest in the country,” said Captain Danny Wray, who started the tournament along with his wife, Captain Kristen Wray. “This year’s event promises to be even larger.”

Ride the Bull is a unique, catch and release fishing tournament where kayakers only fish for Bull Reds in Caminada Pass. Once a fish is caught, there are support vessels available to help transport the catch to Bridge Side Marina, where it is weighed and then released.

Participants can pre-register online at www.calmwatercharters.net for $50. The registration fee is $60 on the day of tournament, with $20 of each entry fee going to the Calcutta to be divided on a percentage basis among the top 10 redfish weighed.

A Captains’ Dinner hosted by the CCA (Coastal Conservation Association) will take place Friday, Aug. 16, 2013, at 7 p.m. at Bridge Side Marina. The Calmwater Film Festival follows dinner. Enter your favorite fishing video in the film festival for a chance to win one of several GoPro Cameras.