Donaldsonville angler sets rodeo record with 115-pound grouper
Billed as the oldest fishing tournament in the United States, the International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo wrapped up Saturday night after three days of competition.
The wind and weather wasn’t always ideal for fishing, but Ben Bernard of Lafayette wowed the crowd with a 705-pound blue marlin taken in the Green Canyon about 100 miles south of Grand Isle.
The fish won first place in its division, and fell just short of a new rodeo record, narrowly missing the 2004 mark set by Louis Gotreaux of 723 pounds.
Kevin Hatcher of Donaldsonville did set a new rodeo record with a 115-pound, 1-ounce grouper.
Best All-Around Angler Awards went to Toby Berthelot of Addis in the Big Game Division, David Moran of Pride in the Shoreline Division and Roy Autin of Cut Off in the Inside Division.
For a complete list of rodeo results, click here.
