Kayak division new this year; rodeo set for July 2-4
For the first time in several years, the 62nd annual Iberia Rod and Gun Club’s 4th of July saltwater rodeo will feature a kayak division at Cypremort Point.
Fishing in the event, which features more than $10,000 in cash and prizes, will officially begin at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, July 2, and end on July 4, but no tickets will be sold after 12 noon on Friday, July 3.
Weigh-in times at Quintana Pavillion are 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Brock Pellerin, Iberia Rod and Gun Club president and rodeo chairman, said the popularity of kayak fishing made putting it back in the rodeo’s line-up a no-brainer.
“Kayak fishing is one of the biggest up and coming sports around here,” Pellerin said. “That division will have three categories: slot redfish, speckled trout and flounder, with 100-percent payback on ticket sales. And they can launch anywhere off the Louisiana coast, with any tackle acceptable. But no mothershipping is allowed.”
For a complete list of rodeo rules, click here.
Anglers also can participate in four other divisions for the rodeo: junior, inside, offshore and diving.
Inside and junior division categories include redfish, speckled trout, garfish, drum, white trout, flounder, sheepshead, croaker and slot redfish.
In addition, every junior division angler who finishes with a fish on the board at the end of the rodeo will receive a trophy.
Tickets are available at Cajun Guns & Tackle, Pack and Paddle, Dago’s, Hebert’s Mini-Mart, Buck Fins & Feathers and Dock Side Marina at the Point, and include free meals Friday and Saturday night and fais-do-dos under the Quintana Pavilion.
“The weather is supposed to be beautiful. The wind and rain are supposed to hold up, and they’re calling for calm seas,” Pellerin said. “Hopefully the water cleans up a little bit. I’m hoping with that southwest wind blowing, it might push some good water in.”
For more information on the rodeo, contact Pellerin at 337-380-9347.
Rodeo headquarters will be at Quintana Landing at Cypremort Point.