Tournament Update - May 23, 2011
Published by comefishLa.com, Inc.

Here we are, barely over a week away from the 2011 Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic tournament and wanted to bring everyone up to date on a few things. YES, our tournament is 100% on and the fish are biting!

Billy B just returned from a 2-day trip going 1 for 6 on Blues; Pipe Dream released a Blue on Sunday, along with TIA II also releasing a Blue, as did Billy B. Sunday, the rip was located 11 miles Southeast of South Pass. Most all charter boats are fishing whenever the wind isn’t blowing and nailing the tuna. Many charter boat captains are complaining about keeping the marlin off their live baits. Good problem to have!

River Update

Now that both the Morganza Spillway and the Bonnet Carre Spillway are open, the Mississippi River is at 17’ at the New Orleans gauge. We are told that the river should not get any higher than what we have now; the Corps of Engineers intention, by utilizing both Spillways, is to not let the river get any higher, thus creating a “man-made crest”. We actually have not seen that much trash coming down river or out into the Gulf, but by all means, please use extreme caution when traveling the river or any of the multiple passes. The US Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Bulletin that states “Mariners navigating the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and the Head of Passes are strongly advised not to push up into the riverbank and to proceed at their slowest safe speed in order to minimize wake and subsequent damage to flood protection systems”. We do not expect them to enforce this south of Venice, but we will be allowing an extra hour for boats to return for weigh-in on Saturday, June 5 (see paragraph 1 under Tournament Updates). This is only for the main river channel. Please pay attention and be careful as you enter Cypress Cove as the current is rolling.

Tournament Update

Our Tournament Committee has extended our weigh-in time until 8:00 pm Saturday, June 4, instead of 7:00 pm. All boats must be inside the entrance to Cypress Cove Marina and checked in via radio no later than 8:00 pm; this gives everyone an extra hour to arrive at the marina and be checked in via radio. Lines out of the water will still be at 4:00 pm, Saturday, June 4. We want everyone to be safe and get in on time.

Yes, boats are still allowed to depart from any Gulf of Mexico port, but must video their departure (see Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic tournament rules). Tournament headquarters telephones will be installed this coming Tuesday, May 24. On Thursday, May 26, we will publish our Information Sheets online with telephone numbers, Committee Boat information, etc. Our information sheets will also have a Federal Express delivery address for late entries with Certified Checks.

Marina Update

New Owner, Rene Cross, along with Mike Ballay and the wonderful staff at Cypress Cove Marina & Lodge are continuing to update their entire facility. Yes, the swimming pool and restaurant are open and the hotel has just completed extensive room renovations, including free Wi-Fi service.

Presently, the water is more than a foot below the docks and we DO NOT expect it to get any higher as a result of the Corps of Engineers controlling the height and flow of the Mississippi River. Tidewater Road was elevated an additional 2’ last year as far south as Coast Guard Road, which is the access road to Cypress Cove. You should not have any problems driving to our host facility, Cypress Cove Marina & Lodge.

In closing, we are looking forward to a great tournament and good times had by all.

See you on the docks,

Steve Thomas
Tournament Director
Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic

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