Bassmaster Classic and One Louisiana Fishing Tournament
The 2008 Bassmaster Classic is currently being held. According to Wikipedia, this fishing tournament started in 1971 and was first held at Lake Mead, NV.
Of course, ESPN now tends to cover the tournament and has done this for years. It has become a national spectacle. Many people tune in to watch people fish and to watch the weigh ins of all the bass caught.
According to ESPN, the 2008 Bassmaster Classic is being held in eleven (11) states – South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Iowa, New York, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
I am not a huge fan of fishing as I don’t tend to like messing with the worms or the fish. I may like it better if I liked the outdoors more than I do. My body just does not like me to be outdoors all that much because I get very hot or very cold quite easily. It is a rare day when I enjoy staying outside for long amounts of time. Of course, this may be part of living in Louisiana as I have been in other states and stayed outside, but I am still more of an introvert and prefer writing and reading.
However, when I was young, I was always my dad’s fishing companion. We would go to the state park and go fishing. Other times we would go out to other places, such as Lacassine refuge to go fishing. One time this was not so fun as I ended up catching a four foot alligator gar and I was very scared.
Even though I was starting to not enjoy fishing by the time I was a teenager, there was a tournament held by Coastal Conservation Association called the “Big Trout Shootout” and I decided that I would go with my dad.
I can remember packing a sandwich and plenty of granola bars to eat in a bag. I also remember slathering myself in sun screen.
My dad has made some fishing rod holders from some metal rods, masking tape, and the containers from Crystal Light powder for lemonade. That way we did not have to always hold the rods and could just watch them and pick them up and real the fish in when we got a bite.
My line barely moved. There were definitely a few false alarms as it seemed my line moved, but nothing was there. There were also a few fish that just nibbled, but I did not catch anything.
I forget why I had left, but I needed a break. I do not even remember if it was my dad or another person who ran to tell me that I had a bite on my line. All I can remember is that I was told I had a bite on my line.
Being that this was a tournament, I could not have anybody help me with the reel. I remember how strong a fish seemed. I was amazed that it could pull so hard on the line. Yet, I persisted and I kept reeling in the line. Eventually, I had caught a trout. After catching that fish, I was done for the day because I was so tired.
My dad and I went to the weigh in when it was time. I did not expect to place at all, but I definitely wanted to see if I had placed. After all, this was a tournament and I wanted to participate in the tournament.
Being that I was a teen, I was in the junior category. They weighed the fish and I ended up placing 14th! I was quite surprised at this result. I remember that I got a T-shirt and a savings bond, which I think was for $200 and it seems I can only redeem it in full once I am 30. However, even placing was exciting.
I can remember going home and taking a picture with the fish. I stood in front of the garage door, held up the fish, and smiled. My hair was a mess and I was sweaty and stinky, but I was showing the fish I had caught.
I can only imagine how the first place winner felt, though I do not remember the name of the person who won, the weight of the fish, or the prize.
It was a good feeling, but it has not motivated me to go fishing again. I’m sure that it would motivate those who truly enjoy fishing. It is just not for me.
In fact, I do not truly enjoy watching fishing on television all that much, but when my dad watches it, I will sometimes watch it as well. Thus, I tend to see parts of tournaments, especially the Bassmaster Classic when it is being held.
Fishing World has many updates and news about the Bassmaster Classic tournament.
