By PAMELA CODY
Special to the PRESS
The bay front of Louie’s Back Yard looked like the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles during rush hour last weekend, as a record number of boaters gathered and jockeyed for positions for the 2015 Shallow Sport Owners Fishing Tournament. The popular yearly event took place on May 15-16, with Louie’s Back Yard on South Padre Island serving as the event headquarters.
This was the 15th year of the tournament, with a record number of fishing enthusiasts participating; 209 boats launched from the docks at 6:30 a.m. Saturday — most with five anglers aboard. Competition was fierce, with many boats barely making it back in time for the 3 p.m. weigh-in deadline.
Lorenzo “Nuno” Galvan, owner of LGJ Fishing Charters said the weather was definitely a factor. “Fishing was tougher than usual, with the windy conditions we had and an extremely high tide giving fish more areas to move into,” he said. He continued, “The Shallow Sport Tournament has become an event that anglers start planning for months in advance — well-organized and a great atmosphere of family and friends experiencing some lasting memories. Definitely looking forward to participating again next year.”
Wes Hudson, owner of Shallow Sport, was on site throughout the tournament. Wes is the third generation of a family with more than three decades in the boating industry, which includes his grandfather, Willis Hudson, and his father, Rex. Shallow Sport celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2013. Wes spoke of his family’s company and history. “My parents began the company in 1983, and my wife Kyra and I took over in 2006,” he said. For this year’s Shallow Sport Tournament, every registered angler got a chance to win the top prize: an 18-foot Shallow Sport boat and a McClain Trailer valued at $45,000 dollars. Additional tickets were available for purchase at the event, with proceeds benefiting the Shallow Sport Scholarship Fund. Many other prizes were awarded, including various fishing tackle and accessories, parasailing and dolphin boat trips, and an SPI weekend getaway featuring a two-night stay at the Isla Grand, dinner for two at Louie’s Backyard, kayak rentals and a sea life boat cruise
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