Voters name winners in 87 categories
Louisiana Sportsman took top honors in several categories during the recently concluded 2015 Best of Louisiana competition, which allowed the public to vote on the best outdoor products in 87 categories.
About 68,000 votes were cast in the online competition, Best of Louisiana’s Bruno Prager said.
“The competition is all about what products and services gave you the best experience while in Louisiana — what makes you happy at the end of the day,” Prager explained.
It was a two-part competition, beginning with a round of nominations from which the top 6 in each category moved on to the voting phase.
Categories won by Louisiana Sportsman were:
• Best Louisiana publication
• Best fishing website
• Best fishing blog
• Best classifieds
Venice Marina won three marina categories: best overall west of the Mississippi River, best service and best back-down west of the Mississippi River.
Puglia’s Sporting Goods was named the best bait-and-tackle shop, while Matrix Shad earned the nod in the best Louisiana-born lure category.
There were numerous best-of winners in various divisions of the guide category, which well-known captains including Theophile Bourgeois, Brandon Carter, Jeff Poe, Marty LaCoste, Ryan Lambert and Tommy Pellegrin among the winners.
Other category winners included:
• Best tow vehicle: Chevrolet
• Best boat dealer west of the Mississippi River: Cajun Outboards
• Best boat dealer east of the Mississippi River: Boat Stuf
• Best trolling motor: Minn Kota
• Best fish finder: Lowrance
• Best outboard manufacturer: Yamaha
• Best bay boat: Blue Wave
• Best bass boat: Ranger
Log onto BestOfLouisiana.com to find full results.