Recreational fishing is ingrained in the culture of Louisiana. So much so that the state has the unique distinction of hosting the two oldest fishing tournaments in the country. The Grand Isle International Tarpon Rodeo, a saltwater event, was started in 1928 and takes place the last full weekend in July.
The New Orleans City Park Big Bass Rodeo celebrates its 75th anniversary milestone on Saturday, March 23, 2024 as the oldest freshwater fishing tournament and takes place in one of the oldest urban parks in the country.
The most unique aspect of the Big Bass Rodeo is that it takes place in New Orleans’ historic City Park in the middle of this urban city. Although the hustle and bustle of a big city is not generally associated with good fishing, this fishing oasis is just a few minutes from downtown and is easily accessible.
Co-sponsors
The event is co-hosted by the City Park Conservancy and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The miles of lagoons in City Park are home to many big bass and other freshwater species.
Cara Lambeth is the CEO of the City Park Conservancy. The simple, but extensive mission of the non-profit organization is to “Preserve and improve City Park spaces for recreational, educational, cultural and beautification purposes.” Lambeth fully recognizes the value and significance of the Big Bass Rodeo.
“The Covid pandemic energized people to get outside and enjoy the natural surroundings,” Lambeth said. “The 1,300 acres of City Park provides a wide range of outdoor activities in the middle of New Orleans and the Big Bass Rodeo highlights the great fishing available in the heart of the city.
“This is a great event to lure folks to the Park where they have easy and economical assess to fishing recreation.”
The Conservancy is overseeing the development of the latest master plan for operations of the Park’s continued preservation and evolution, which is expected to include expanded access to fishing and other outdoor recreation such as kayaking.
“People want access to, and to be around water — whether to see, commune, or simply relax,” Lambeth said. “The rodeo is a great way to get them there.”
Danica Bailey Williams is a wildlife biologist and Program Manager for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Having assumed the reigns of the Big Bass Rodeo from the late Kaye Floraine, Williams has participated in organizing the event for over 10 years.
“The Park and Bayou St. John are hidden gems in the heart of New Orleans and offer the best bank fishing in the state,” she said. “Where else can you walk up and catch a 9-pound bass?”
Valuable event
Williams also fully realizes the value of the event for introducing and retaining anglers.
“Covid caused folks to seek different outside activities and fishing was one of them,” she said. “License sales increased as did the sales of kayaks. This is a great event to retain and keep them engaged.”
LDWF’s Inland Fisheries division helps monitor and maintain the health of the fisheries in the Park and Bayou St. John.
In addition to her LDWF duties, Williams also runs the non-profit Wish to Fish Louisiana. The organization partners with local fishing guides to offer inshore, offshore and kayak fishing trips to local youths.
“It is easy for us to say take your child fishing, however, due to lack of equipment and other essentials needed for a day on the water not everyone has the ability to just pack up and take their kids fishing,” Williams said. “Wish to Fish offers that chance with emphasis on the importance of conservation and exploration.”
The Big Bass Rodeo highlights that City Park is also a great place for families to economically and easily experience a great day of fishing.
The Big Bass Rodeo has something to offer for the whole family. It is really four events in one, Williams said. The main event features bank fishing only and attracts the majority of participants. However, there is also the Battle for the Bass division that sees students from grades 7-12 compete as teams for annual bragging rights.
Also, the increasingly popular Boats on the Bayou division sees anglers in kayaks and other non-motorized vessels plying the waters of Bayou St. John for their own competition.
Everything comes together at the family friendly “Fishtival” which takes place at rodeo headquarters in the Park and includes music, games, activities, educational exhibits, and of course, the awards ceremony.
“There will be several organizations exhibiting at the Fishtival including LDWF, City Park, Massey’s Professional Outfitters, Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club, Wish To Fish, Mission 2 Hook Kids On Fishin, University of New Orleans and more,” Williams said. This is a great event for all ages to come out and fish, enjoy the Park and learn what these various organizations have to offer.
For more information and to register, go to: https://neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-park/big-bass-fishing-rodeo/
Mission To Hook Kids On Fishin
Damion Frey is a man on a mission – literally. Frey took the fraught journey of his youth to pass on his love of fishing one kid at a time. He grew up in the gritty projects of New Orleans. His parents were killed in a tragic automobile accident when he was young. He and his younger brother were raised by a drug-addled, abusive relative.
One day he saw a neighbor riding a bike to New Orleans City Park with fishing equipment on board. He asked if he and his brother could tag along and after getting permission from their stepmother, Mr. Charlie Brown took them to the Park to fish. Frey was hooked. What started as a way to escape his troubles, quickly became a burning passion.
Frey immersed himself in fishing under the mentorship of Brown. He became really good at it and has won the City Park Big Bass Rodeo four times.
“I love this Park and the rodeo,” Frey said. “It kept me out of trouble and helped with the trauma of my youth.”
Frey looked for a way to give back to the youth of the community and fishing was naturally it. In 2014, Frey founded the non-profit Mission 2 Hook Kids On Fishin.
“Every kid wants to win, but not all can,” Frey said. “However, they are all winners in my eyes. When they come to our booth at the rodeo, they walk away a winner whether it is a new lure, fishing rod or other fishing related item.
“Our goal is to get more people to care. We try our best to change lives one cast at a time.”
Frey enjoys his role as a mentor and giving back to the community and the sport. He engages with the kids and truly cares about their lives. He regularly checks in with their parents to see how the kids are doing in school and life in general.
“I help them, because I was them,” he said.
Frey and his group of young men from the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas have a strong passion for teaching kids how to fish. A tattoo artist by trade, he saves his tip money throughout the year specifically for the purpose of buying fishing gear to give away to the kids.
“We mentor them and get them to unplug and enjoy fishing and nature,” he said.
Frey invites all to come out to their booth at this year’s City Park Big Bass Rodeo and see what his organization and the Park have to offer young anglers.
“We don’t just teach kids how to fish, we also motivate them to become better children for their parents,” he said.
For more information, or to donate or get involved, go to: www.mission2hookkidsonfish-in.com.
