07-18-2013, 11:10 PM
The fifth tagged redfish of the 2013 CCA Louisiana STAR has been caught making another entrant a lucky winner. Anthony "Tee" Manuel of Kinder caught his prize-winning tagged redfish on Calcasieu Lake Saturday and is the third prize winner in this year's STAR tournament. "I entered the tournament early this spring hoping to win an early bird drawing" said Manuel, "but I never even dreamed of this!" After returning late Friday night from a business trip in Austin, TX, Manuel was told by his friend and Lake Charles native, Daryl Kingery about a reliable trout bite. In pursuit of their trophy trout, Manuel pulled in more than he expected. Manuel, his father and Kingery launched into Prien Lake at the foot of the I-210 bridge in Lake Charles. While "making bait" near L'Auberge du Lac casino on the Ship Channel, they realized they had neglected a very important detail, like putting the plug in the boat. After resolving that problem, it was time to get down to business and Manuel made his first cast in the water. After a short fight, the "unintended" species was simply flipped from the water straight into the ice chest without even using a net! Soon it became apparent what exactly he had just landed - the second 2110 Sport Nautic Star, Mercury 150 hp 4-stroke, and Mike Gerald's Trailer Depot trailer package, to be awarded this year in the CCA Louisiana STAR tournament. The men continued fishing for a little while until Manuel's father, Kermit, just couldn't take it anymore and he urged his son to bring the fish to Calcasieu Point Landing to claim his bounty. After an interview with CCA board members, Manuel and his father gave much deserved thanks and praise to the men and women of the Armed Forces who have given their life for this country, so that guys like them could enjoy our many freedoms, such as fishing. Both men were wearing military-style dog tags around their necks in remembrance of their son/brother, US Army Staff Sergeant William S. Manuel. SSG Manuel, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment of the Louisiana Army National Guard, was serving in Iraq as Commander of a Bradley transport vehicle on January 10, 2005, when an IED took his life, along with one of his passengers. "Since we have already had tagged redfish division winners in Lake Pontchartrain and in Grand Isle, we are excited to be giving another tagged redfish prize away on the West side of the state now." said STAR Committee Member Bryan Williams, "Congratulations to Tee and his entire family." There are still seven more Nautic Star and Mercury boat packages to be given away just in the Tagged Redfish Division alone, and many other prizes still up for grabs. To sign up for the CCA Louisiana STAR, call 877-422-2782 or visit www.ccastar.com.