Kinler misses out on 2014 Chevrolet Silverado pickup
For the second time this summer, an angler not registered in the CCA STAR Tournament caught a tagged redfish and missed out on a brand new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
While fishing Elmer’s Island with her husband Monday afternoon, longtime Coastal Conservation Association Louisiana supporter Stacey Kinler reeled in a redfish with the red STAR tag.
After verifying the tag, they tried reviving the fish but were not successful.
“They tried to release it and couldn’t make it take off,” said Rad Trascher, STAR tournament director. “It’s just one of those things. She was pretty heartbroken about it.”
Since the fish didn’t survive, Trascher confirmed it hadn’t moved very far since he put it in the water personally in mid-May, and was surprised it had taken this long for it to be caught.
“That fish didn’t go anywhere. I drove with my boat on the trailer out to Elmer’s right at the beach and made a U-turn, ran back to my livewell and put it back in the water,” he said. “You think about how many boats have fished Elmer’s Island in the last six to eight weeks.
“I was down there for the Fourth of July and it looked like a parking lot.”
In a CCA press release, Kinler said she simply forgot to register for the tournament, which started on May 24 and ends on Sept. 1.
“It is a shame that Stacey lost out on the truck. I have known her and her husband for years, but it happens all the time,” Trascher said. “People get busy in their lives and forget about the simple stuff like registering for the tournament, and this time it really cost her.”
With 48 tagged redfish still available, the first registered angler to land one will win the Silverado, and up to nine anglers who catch tagged redfish after that will win 21-foot Nautic Star boat packages.
To register for the CCA Louisiana STAR Tournament, click here.
