Bayou LaBatre, Alabama tournament results

[Mullet Key]

A buddy of mine sent this to us.

Bayou La Batre, AL, August 2015 – Kayak fishing is growing fast, and there’s no better indicator than the success of the 2015 Bayou La Batre Kayak Classic (BLBKC). The BLBKC fishing tournament, which took place on Saturday August 1, is only in its second year but has already become one of the premier kayak fishing tournaments in the Southeastern United States. The event featured live entertainment, vendors, T-shirts, arts and crafts, as well as the excitement of kids bringing in their first fish. In the Junior Division, fifteen-year-old Jeffrey Griffin placed first in two of the six divisions to take the 2015 BLBKC Junior Master Angler. At the end of the day the Junior Division Leaderboard looked like this:

Redfish:
(1) Trevor Thrasher 6.88 lbs (2) Tracy Butts 2.49 lbs
Speckled Trout:
(1) Jeffrey Griffin 4.89 lbs (2) Tracy Butts 3.24 lbs (3) Trent Avery 2.78 lbs
White Trout:
(1) Peyton Spalding .97 lbs (2) Nathaniel Cox .80 lbs (3) Tracy Butts .58 lbs
Catfish:
(1) Jeffrey Griffin 1.71 lbs (2) Harrison Sealy 1.0 lbs (3) Steele Sealy .90 lbs
Flounder:
(1) Trent Avery 1.67 lbs
Croaker:
(1) Nick Hyatt .38 lbs (2) Collin Trenton .29 lbs (3) Chance Brown .21 lbs


Master Angler: Jeffrey Griffin

In the adult division, nearly 200 anglers competed for more than $8,000 in prizes. When the scales closed, Nathan Rich beat out four other division winners to become the 2015 BLBKC Master Angler. The final tally in the adult division was:

Redfish:
(1) Nathan Rich 7.38 lbs (2) Sarah Myers 6.82 lbs (3) Linda Lee 6.70 lbs
Speckled Trout:
(1) Scott Ellzey 4.98 lbs (2) John Anderson 3.78 lbs (3) Adam Spence 3.01 lbs
Flounder:
(1) Rick Foster 3.27 lbs (2) James Parker 2.70 lbs (3) Marcie Gatlin 2.49 lbs
White Trout
(1) T.J. Busey 0.87 lbs (2) Robert Haburn 0.82 lbs (3) Donna Greep 0.81 lbs
Triple Threat:
(1) Stephen Oberkirch 10.46 lbs (2) Adam Spence 6.89 lbs (3) Scott Older 6.01 lbs


Master Angler: Nathan Rich

On Rich’s first cast, and first piece of bait, he landed the 7.38 pound prize red fish, which beat out last year’s biggest fish by over half a pound! The Master Angler attributes his win to his competitive nature. “Being in the tournament is a great way to see how I’ve progressed” said Rich. Even if you’re not competitive, being around 200 other fisherman is great way to pick up some tips! When Rich isn’t competing he regularly fishes in the area and claims to have found spots where he often catches 25 inch red fish. Despite catching the prize redfish on his first cast, Rich insisted “there was plenty of suspense.” “Right before the scales closed three other anglers came in with 25 inch fish.”

A total of more than $8000 worth of prizes were awarded to participants, including two anglers that didn’t necessarily make the leaderboards. If an angler registered a legal fish they were automatically entered into the grand prize drawing. The tension was palpable as the lucky names were drawn. Rudy Howell (age 13), who weighed in an impressive .97 pound speckled trout, won a brand new Pelican Apex Kayak. Will Bushman (age 16), who weighed in a 1.05 pound speckled trout, took away the coveted Adult Division grand prize: a fully outfitted Jackson Cuda Fishing Kayak valued at almost $2000!

This year also featured fifteen booths, more than doubling the number from previous the tournament. Fairhope Boat Company, Von’s Catering, Anzetta Thompson and Tupperware all returned for their second year as booth sponsors. New booths included “Hitten’ Bottom Fishing Apparel Co.”, Mostellar Medical Center, Greer’s Market, City of Bayou La Batre, a shared Horizon Shipbuilding/American Heart Association, the Mobile Bay Kayak Fishing Association, J.J. Cool Treats and Sweet Tea Boutique.

This year’s Bayou La Batre Kayak Classic turnout displayed an impressive 10% increase in competitors and a 40% increase in sponsors. Horizon Shipbuilding, Von’s restaurant, Cold Blooded Fishing, ABC Signs, Theodore Scales, The City of Bayou La Batre and Master Boat Builders all returned as second year sponsors while Instrument Technical Services (ITS), Seal Master (based in Atlanta Georgia), Greer’s Market, Alabama Power Co., Master Marine, Mostellar Medical Center, and many more companies signed on as new sponsors. In addition, event coverage was provided by local TV stations and articles were written in several Kayak Fishing publications and blogs. Dena Pigg, President of the Bayou La Batre Area Chamber of Commerce who hosts the BLBKC, expects the tournament to bring in people from all over the Southeast ...

“Our goal is to highlight the kayak fishing possibilities in Bayou La Batre...

“Our goal for next year is to have over $10,000 in prizes, and to reel-in the perfect title sponsor, along with a jackpot prize.” Dena also wants to open up the possibility of a CPR (catch photo release) option. “We understand that one of the tenets of kayak fishing is conservation, and that’s an option I want to provide to anglers who are interested.” Dena can be reached through the tournament website http://www.kayakclassic.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, which provides her contact information and tournament rules. “It’s only our second year,” says Kelsey Lander (co-chair of the event planning committee), “we’re already preparing for next year.” With kayak fishing continuing to grow in popularity, and with the success of this year’s and last year’s tournaments, the 2016 Kayak Classic will boast considerably more participants, larger prize packages and tremendous fun!