And they’re off! Volunteers with Coastal Conservation Association of Texas are currently hard at work releasing tagged redfish worth up to $100,000 each from Sabine to South Padre Island. This years’ CCA Texas STAR Tournament, kicking off at 6 a.m. May 29 and running through 6 p.m. September 6, will have a different look than what Texas anglers have seen before. Due to the effects of Winter Storm Uri on coastal ecosystems, the CCA Texas STAR volunteer committee voted to do what they can to minimize our impact on affected fish stocks. All while adding to the $1,000,000 in prizes and scholarships up for grabs!
For the first 31 years of the STAR Tournament, the Texas Ford Dealers Tagged Redfish Division has always been the favorite division of most anglers, with sixty of the specially tagged fish released across the coast. This year STAR is expanding on this model and will feature FOUR tagged redfish divisions, tripling the number to nearly 200 TAGGED REDFISH released along the coast! The Texas Ford Dealers Tagged Redfish Division will remain the same with the first five eligible anglers who catch one of these red tags, taking home a Ford F-150, Haynie boat, Mercury motor, and Coastline trailer package, and the next five taking home the same boat package.
The first new tagged redfish division is the Blue Tag Division. The first three Blue Tag winners will take home a 22’ Mowdy boat, Mercury motor, and Coastline trailer package. The next six anglers will receive a $750 Academy Sports + Outdoor gift card.
As much as we all loved the STAR Gafftop and other species in the Inshore Division, they have been replaced for now by the Green Tag Division. The first three Green Tag winners will take home a 19’ Shoalwater boat, Mercury motor, and McClain trailer package. The next six anglers will receive a $750 Academy Sports + Outdoor gift card.
For those young STAR anglers, we have the STAR Youth Division. Any entrant between 6 and 17 years old who catches a Green or Blue Tag will each receive a $30,000 college scholarship!
There is one other MAJOR CHANGE to this years’ tournament, ALL tagged redfish categories are mandatory catch and release! Anglers now just have cut, pull, or clip off the exposed portion of the tag and turn it in to their nearest weigh station. Catch, Clip and Claim!
So grab the kids, grab your fishing poles, get your STAR entry and head for the coast this summer to claim your share of over $1,000,000 in prizes and scholarships!
When: May 29- September 6
Where: All 600 miles of Texas coast. From Louisiana to Mexico.
What: 2021 Coastal Conservation Association State of Texas Anglers Rodeo (STAR).
