Houma Oilmen’s Fishing Invitational set for May 24-26

Living in south Louisiana, it is a given that there will be tons of fishing rodeos taking place throughout the year. However, one rodeo organization has been using its event to contribute to good causes throughout the Tri-parish area.

The Houma Oilmen’s Fishing Invitational has been taking place for 14 years, and each year, the organization has contributed all of its proceeds to local charities. Since 1994, the organization has contributed $653,500 a various charities throughout the region. Some of those charities are TARC, The Haven, DARE Taps, MacDonell Children’s Home, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Children’s Hospital, DePaul’s School, United Veterans League and other medical charities.

Phyllis Landry, representative for the invitational, says that the organization aims each year to give more than $100,000 to TARC, DARE and MacDonnell Children’s Home.

This year the rodeo takes place May 24-26. The fishing events are open only to people directly employed by a drilling, exploration, production or service company and are at least 21-years-old.

According to Landry, the invitational is sponsored by all of the oilfield companies in the Tri-parish area. It takes place at Lake Cocodrie, and weigh-ins are held at the pavilion at the Harbor Light Arena.

“We have over 3,000 participants each year,” said Landry. “The number has doubled since it began 14 years ago. We don’t allow more than 3,000 participants because of limited space”

Even though the participation has capped out, it doesn’t mean others aren’t lining up at the first opportunity to take part charitable cause. “We have a waiting list of well over 70 companies that want to participate in the rodeo,” said Landry. “We try to move the waiting list each year.”

The rodeo’s first cast can be thrown at 12:01 a.m., Friday morning, while fishing hours conclude at 5 p.m., Saturday. Daily scale weigh-in hours are from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

There are 20 different fish categories, with a separate category for the largest legal fish of any kind. There are seven inshore categories, nine offshore categories and four blue water categories. The offshore and blue water categories reward three places, while the inshore categories rewards 10 places for bull red, red rat, and speckled trout, and five places for drum, flounder, sheepshead and sea cat.

Offshore categories are: red snapper, cobia, jack crevalle, king mackerel, bluefish, amberjack, grouper, mangrove snapper and spanish mackeral.

Blue water categories are: blue marlin (tag and release), tuna, dolphin and wahoo.

Door prizes of $100 value will also be given away. Each participating company can donate its own prize, or submit a check to the Houma Oilmen’s Fishing Committee, allowing the organization to purchase.

For more information on the event, contact Landry at (985) 223-3849.