46-pound-plus alligator gar takes the award in the Fly Fishing Division
An 18.63-pound monster mangrove snapper out of Cocodrie and a 246.63-pound tarpon out of Grand Isle will be recognized as the 2015 Fish of the Year by the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association at their annual convention next month.
In the Rod & Reel Division, Tim Champagne of Lafayette, who caught the mangrove snapper on a free-lined live croaker at a platform in Ship Shoal 222 on July 22, will share the award with David Prevost of Schriever, who reeled in a 246.63 pound tarpon on Oct. 15 in the West Delta.
Champagne’s mangrove qualified not only as the new state record, but also as the new International Game Fish Association’s World Record. Prevost’s tarpon also qualified as the new state record, and finished in the Top 10 of the IGFA records, according to Don Keller with the IGFA.
In the Fly Fishing Division, Victor Tedesco of Houma will be presented the Fish of the Year award for landing a new first place 46.04-pound alligator gar off of Fifi Island near Grand Isle.
All three fishermen will receive their awards on Saturday night, Aug. 13, at the LOWA awards banquet at the Holiday Inn in Shreveport.
The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association has been the curator of the state’s fishing records since 1940.
