Creole Classic readies for another record-breaking crowd

Dating back 23 years ago, the Creole Classic was born from several fisherman friends and an afternoon of drinking beer at the camp. Small in size, the first Creole Classic Fishing Tournament boasted all of 32 fishermen.

Today? The tournament hosts over 900 fishermen, musical entertainment, door prizes and a charity auction.

“It got real big,” said Buggie Vegas, of the Bridge Side Marina, in Grand Isle. “Oilfield guys got involved, and business people got involved. They put on a good show, and they give the money right back to charity.

“We’re trying to push for 1,000 fisherman, this year,” he added.

The 23rd annual Creole Classic Fishing Tournament’s first cast is at midnight Friday morning (June 22) and the festivities run through Saturday, June 23, with a host of events for people holding tickets. All events for the weekend take place at the Bridge Side Marina in Grand Isle.

The tournament is divided into three divisions: adult, children and sponsors.

The adult division has 18 different catch categories, the children have five catch categories and the sponsors have six catch categories.

The first three places in each category are awarded prizes, along with a prize for the best all-around fisherman, best all-around fisherette, and the best all-around in the Children’s Division.

The best all-around is determined through a point system, with three points for a First-Place finish, two points for a Second-Place finish and one point for a Third-Place finish.

On Friday, scales open at 2 p.m. and close at 6 p.m., when boiled seafood will be served to ticket holders. But seafood won’t be the only thing on the menu. “We have a deejay on Friday night, and we’re going to have some boiled seafood, too,” said Vegas. The deejay providing the music will be Diversionz. Along with the musical entertainment, door prizes will be given away.

Scales open at noon on Saturday, and close at 5 p.m.

After scales close, a fish fry will be held for ticket holders, and more door prizes will be available for those present.

Also on Saturday will be the annual Charity Auction, with 100 percent of the highest bid on each item going to a charity. “They got some good stuff,” said Vegas. “Some paintings, a boat motor, swing sets, gliders, picnic tables.

“The auction items go straight to charity. We don’t take the money and then give it; you write the check straight to the charity it’s under. You know your money goes directly to them.”

After the auction, Good Feelings band will provide music to cap off the tournament. “It’s a local band from out of Raceland,” explained Vegas. “A really good band.”

Finally, at 6 p.m., the fishing category prizes are awarded to the winners.

Other fishing rodeos taking place during June are:

Montegut Lions Club 50th annual Speckled Trout Rodeo (June 7-9) n For more information, contact Elce Pinell at (985) 594-2437.

Krewe of Terreanians Fishing Rodeo (June 7-9) n For more information, contact Mike Prosperie at (985) 855-6468.

Krewe of Houmas Invitational Saltwater Fishing Rodeo (June 22-24) n For more information, contact Mark Kinnard at (985) 879-4388.

Tee-Caillou Lions Fishing Rodeo and Fair (June 23-24) n For more information, contact Bobby Carlos at (985) 594-2571.