Mark Wright and Erik Nelson, Team Mississippi Army National Guard, put the stranglehold on the field Sunday in beautiful Empire, La.  14 teams competed and caught good fish.  However, these 2 anglers were just a bit better on this day.

2 fish for 15.48 pounds and taking home the top check for $3,000.00 made this team's day.  After driving from Mississippi the night before and with limited practice, this team showed they had the right stuff at days' end.

Second place went to another non local team but 2 anglers that are very familiar with these waters. Scott Ritter and Bobby Abruscato loaded up their rig after competing in the HT Cup in Chalmette Friday and Saturday and brought it down to Empire.  2 more good fish and 14.82 pounds later took home another check ($1,100.00) for this effort. 

Third place and the final pay spot, $400.00 went to Landon Clause and Luke Landry for their 2 fish limit weighing 14.08 pounds.  The top 5 rounded out with 4th going to the team of facility owner Darren Angleo and Louis Houvenaeghel weighing in 13.08 pounds and 5th place going to Joe and John Barcelona with 12.72 pounds.

This was a beautiful weekend in Louisiana and Sunday topped it off.  It was great meeting the new guys that showed up and introducing them to the new stage, equipment and production of the event.  Friday and Saturday were unbelievably great days in Chalmette and having top tour anglers like Robert Scherer, the Broussards, Manny Perez and all the HT Cup guys compliment our efforts was awesome and humbling. 

However, something very special took place Sunday afternoon stage right, after the weigh in.  I asked and received permission to quote this angler, so I will.  The weigh in completed, checks and results pages handed out and stage break down underway when 1 member of the father and son team of Tim and James Craft motioned me over.  "I am 72 years old and we are not on the level of these top anglers that competed today.  However, after fishing tournaments for 50 years I just wanted to tell you, this is the best ran and most fun tournament I have ever fished in those 50 years", stated James.

Such kind words that are not just appreciated but humbling as well.  As stated above it is awesome when you can garner the thanks and kudos of top touring pros, but equally, if not just a bit more gratifying is when we get the chance turn another head and give a seasoned angler a tournament experience that in their words is the best they have ever participated in.

Thank you to all the anglers, old, young, pros and weekenders; it really is you that make the tour and not the other way around.  Thank you also to Vic Burgess and Justin Collison who made the trip out to lend their hand this weekend.  We hope the trip to Bourbon St. Saturday night was all that you had anticipated... :-)

We look forward to seeing all the Gulf Central anglers again, July 25th in Venice.  Till then, thank you again for your support of HT3 Outdoors...