As a junior in high school, I caught my first-ever huge redfish on Sabine Lake’s Pleasure Island.
At the time, catching a restriction of reds in Sabine was a status symbol, as populations had only rebounded also, but catching a 36- foot red in the “lake” was a big deal.
I gave the great red on my head a kiss before diving it back into the water to fight another day. Through the STAR event, I had only joined the CCA and was familiar with the tale of the “redfish wars” and how a victory over having redfish reach breeding size.
I had the honor of accompanying CCA STAR authorities on a Sabine Lake redfish transfer that had been tagged.
About 100 miles from where I caught the first-ever great dark, two of the colors were released.
It’s in a position where people fish. I’m referring to working-class people who reside in this area because they want to use their limited time to enjoy the wonderful outdoors.
As I took these stunning red slides into the water there, I could n’t help but hope that the fish catches is STAR-eligible.
The Sabine area’s four transfer locations were exactly like those where people gathered to have fun with their families and calm by fishing that day.
The aspect that bothered me was how CCA officials specifically targeted these areas so that landbound anglers and wade fishermen who were on boats may have a chance to get the Reds.
The bass is float wherever they like, but generally speaking, they are most likely to be caught in those waters.
When you hear numbers like$ 1.9 million in awards and scholarships, you can get the idea that this is all a large, multinational thing, and to some extent, it has to check off some of those boxes. But in truth, STAR is grass.
From the managers to the volunteers who help capture and carry bass, it’s all about forwarding CCA’s vision of protection. Using STAR to approach people and possibly save some lives is how it is intended to impact protection.
What child could not use a fellowship in these trying times?
What if one of those land-bound fishing wins a new boat?
The possibilities are endless.
It was interesting to see how passionately everyone involved with the organization and the tournament felt about the original ( then ) Gulf Coast Conservation Association founders ‘ efforts to maintain a standstill burned in them.
No one has forgotten where they came from, either.
They placed the labelled red where they could be easily caught.
How awesome is that?
—Chester Moore
