Chum On, Winning POCO Team
League City resident, Rodney DeVillier, Captain of Chum On (a local POC boat), and owner of One More Cast Charters, inshore fishing in Galveston Bay (www.omccharters.com), brought in the winning 551 lb., 109 inch Blue Marlin in the annual Poco Bueno Fishing Tournament.
The win was celebrated by Boat Owner Dr. Kevin Horn, orthopedic surgeon, Baytown, Texas and Crew Members Chris Horn (angler who brought in winning fish), Ben Horn, David Horn, Jake Horn, Michael Horn, Shaun Essery and Joey (Sully) Sullivan.
Poco Bueno, is an invitation-only, family-run fishing tournament held every July in Port O’Connor, Texas. It was founded in 1969 by Walter W. Fondren and several friends with the intention to draw attention to Port O’Connor and the rich resources it has to offer offshore, recreational fisherman.
Captain Rodney DeVillier, who runs the marine electronics department at Fathom Maritime service, says he has been participating in POCO since 1999. In that first year they won third place and won again in 2002 with the second place prize. Rodney explained that even though this year there was an option to weigh in on the second day, they choose to weigh in on the first day because it can bring in an extra $15,000. In addition, cooling the fish overnight can cost you some weight.
Captain DeVillier enjoys both offshore and inshore fishing with his charter service in Galveston Bay and enters other tournaments in both Texas and Louisiana. When asked what he especially enjoys about the Poco Bueno tournament in Port O’Connor, he explains that the format and rules are different from other tournaments. It’s all about tradition. They have many scheduled activities to involve participants and the community, including parading the boats down the Intracoastal at the beginning of the tournament.
“It’s fun and feels like hanging out with friends and family,” says Rodney. He plans to continue participating in POCO for as long as it continues to keep its traditions and the intentions of its founders.
POCO has grown to include an Inshore and Fly Fishing Division as well. Through the efforts of Walter Fondren and Randy Bright, Poco Bueno has grown to include over 100 offshore and inshore boats, but through the years has kept its original spirit of promoting the sport of fishing in and around Port O’Connor, Texas.
