Published: May 19, 2009 01:50 pm      

Locals dominate Cabela’s Speckled Trout USA tournament

ORANGE — One of the newest additions to the Texas Cajun Heritage Festival this year was a fishing tournament, and what a tournament it was.

This past Saturday and Sunday Cabela’s Speckled Trout USA held a two-day, $10,000 event at the City of Orange Boat Ramp featuring competitors from across the region.

With an overwhelming lead Albert Bates of Orange, Texas took first place with a two day total of 31.74 pounds and earning $4,000. Bates also had the largest Speckled Trout of the event, which weighed 7.91 pounds, earning him an additional $500.

Second place went to Damon Mayfield, also from Orange, with a weight of 22.33 pounds and earning $1,500.

In third place was Raymond Collins of Sulphur, La., with a weight of 21.31 pounds. Collins earned a $1,000 payout, while Orange resident Johnny Cormier claimed fourth place with a total weight of 20.77 pounds and earned $700 in the process.

In fifth place was Gary McElduff of Nederland, who received a $500 payout for his 17.54 pound weigh-in. Sixth place went to John Havens, who weighed in a total of 15.91 pounds and brought home an 80 pound thrust Minn Kota Trolling Motor.

Sulphur, La. resident Robby Trahan placed seventh with a weight of 14.33 pounds and earning a new Hummingbird Matrix 12 fish locator.

Bringing in big redfish of the event was Kent Carson of Cameron, Louisiana with a 8.86 pound redfish and earning $500.