Gator-Tail was represented (unofficially) down in Galveston at the 2nd Annual 2010 West Bay Redfish Showdown. Guides were allowed to fish this tournament and 3 placed in the top 5. I fished with a buddy of mine and we placed just out of the money in 6th place.

Here's a report of the day:

Jeremy & I started off the morning early launching at 5:30 and making our first toss at exactly 6AM in some lights in the canals I like to visit. No reds in the first light, we made a quick run to another subdivision to a light that always holds reds, Jeremy hooked a rat red, the spot is always good for a solid red but I noticed one of underwater lights was not on. We didn't hang around long and quickly made our way to our first wade spot on the south shoreline. We jumped out and were immediately greeted by tailing reds coming towards us. Jeremy hooked up and I tossed in but couldn't buy a bite! Jeremy quickly netted a solid red and put it on oxygen. We continued the wade Jeremy hooked into another red which had us two by 7AM. We continued the wade culling out fish for heavier ones but we were not finding any large ones. Mainly 23-25". We made the move and ran into the back lakes. The tides were perfect for the Gator-Tail she had no issues. Jeremy & I poled for a few hours we caught 3 reds back in there and should have had a lot more if I could have hooked up. The reds that were caught were all caught while I was poling which works out I guess :rolleyes: I was having issue after issue. I even lost my dang rod when messing with a fish trying to get it on oxygen it fell in the water and could not be found. So if anyone finds a new curado e7 on an all star rod let me know lol. We found pods of redfish working shrimp and crabs on the flats the weather could not have been more perfect with 0 wind Jeremy and I were spotting all sorts of bait & tails. A few boats tried to make it in but with only 1' of water in the lake there was nobody getting in here but me :p We moved on to another spot and again we are on the reds, on 'em all day but just not the size we needed, every spot we were greeted by them

jeremy-stringer.jpg

Above: Jeremy with a nice stringer, the other 2 reds are on oxygen ready for weigh-in

Much thanks to HookSet Marine Gear, Texas Outdoors Journal, Billy StiX Custom Rods, Big Nasty Bait Co., Pro 02 Systems, Charlie's Custom Rods, Saltwater Assault Guide Service & Lutes Marine!

The next tournament is our Winter Trout Tourney in January!

The Results, 2010 West Bay Redfish Showdown!

1. Team Notorious (13.8 LB) + 1.0 LB (2 Live Fish)
2. Team Third Stone (12.8 LB) + 1.0 LB (2 Live Fish)
3. Tail Chasers (12.4 LB) + 1.0 LB (2 Live Fish)
4. Team Reely Out There (11.6 LB) + 1.0 LB (2 Live Fish)
5. Team BAFM (11.0 LB) + 1.0 LB (2 Live Fish)
6. Albert's Hammer (10.2 LB) + 1.0 LB (2 Live Fish)
7. Team Fish-N-Hunt (10 LB) + 1.0 LB (2 Live Fish)
8. Tall Tailes (9.2 LB) + 1.0 LB (2 Live Fish)
9. Team Ibtsoom (9.2 LB) + 0.5 LB (1 Live Fish)
10. Half Taco (8.2 LB) + 1 LB (2 Live Fish)
11. Popovich / Soule' (8.2 LB) + 0.5 LB (1 Live Fish)
12. Too Legit to Quit (7.2 LB) + 1 LB (2 Live Fish)
13. See N Spots (5 LB)

Here are the photos!

Nice! I gotta try that!