On South Padre Island, fishing year-round is a high priority, but starting in August things really crank up in the realm of competitive tournament fishing. For some people it isn’t enough to just go fishing, they have to compete against others to see who can catch the biggest and best fish. If you are one of those, gear up, because it’s officially fishing tournament season on South Padre Island!
First on the upcoming list, and the granddaddy of Texas fishing tournaments is the Texas International Fishing Tournament or TIFT. Held at Port Isabel and South Padre Island for the past 77 years, this year’s competition is from August 2nd to the 6th, 2017. A little bit about TIFT:
“The Texas International Fishing Tournament was created in 1934 by community leaders in Port Isabel as a way to let the rest of the country know that south Texas was still on the map. In 1933, a series of hurricanes and storms hit the Laguna Madre area, one of them especially devastating, and threatened to undo several decades of proactive tourism outreach. Missouri Pacific Railway and city fathers partnered to create what was then known as the Tarpon Rodeo and started about the task of letting the nation know that the fish were biting, and they took the bait.”
While women participate in TIFT, they either don’t like the male competition or can’t get enough of the fishing life, so much so that they have their own tournament. The Ladies Kingfish Tournament, or LKT, is also being held at Port Isabel and South Padre Island. From August 11th to the 13th, 2017 the ladies will be going after the big ones that got away just the week before at TIFT.
Each of these tournaments brings lots of people to Port Isabel and South Padre Island. Those of us who aren’t competing but that still get excited about competitive fishing can go to the docks as boats come in from a long day on the water, and view the impressive catches and weight-in. Both tournaments weigh-in at the Southpoint Marina in Port Isabel. TIFT weigh-in times are Friday, August 4th, between 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and on Saturday, August 5th, between and 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The LKT, Bay, and Offshore Divisions, weigh-ins are both on Saturday, August 12th. The Bay Division weighs in from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm, with the Offshore Division coming in between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
The 2nd Annual Wahoo Classic takes place on September 8th to the 10th at Jim’s Pier on South Padre Island. The three categories include Wahoo (of course, it is the Wahoo Classic), Black Fin Tuna, Dorado/Mahi Mahi, with cash prizes totaling $15,000.
The 1st Annual Alpha 5195 Jaime J. Zapata Invitational Fishing Tournament is next on the list. The tournament is scheduled for September 15th and 16th at Jim’s Pier, with a weigh-in on Saturday the 16th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The tournament is in honor of Jaime J Zapata, an ICE agent, who was killed in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi on February 15th, 2011.
Final Call for Alpha 5195
The final call by dispatch to ICE Special Agent Jaime Jorge Zapata came shortly after 11:00 a.m. on a Tuesday in 2011.
“Alpha 5195, this is sector,” an officer with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection called on the radio. No one answered. In the silence that followed, the officer continued: “Sector to all units: Alpha 5195, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Jaime Jorge Zapata, is 10-7 (out of service). May he rest in peace.”
Valley Havens 3rd Annual Boat & Kayak Fishing Tournament is happening September 22nd and 23rd, 2017 at Louie’s Backyard in South Padre Island. $11,000 in cash prizes, customs plaques, raffle, social events and many more activities. We look forward to seeing you there!!
Other upcoming fall fishing tournaments on South Padre Island include Take A Kid Fishing Tournament and the Shallow Stalker Boat Owners Tournament. Both tournaments usually occur in October. As we get more information we will work to pass it on. If anyone knows of others we have missed, please let us know. Contact Us
While fishing is a family adventure, usually not everyone participates in the tournaments. So what is there to do while some family members may be out on the water?
I’m thinking Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark. How can you go wrong? (Maybe forget sunscreen.) There are lots of things for the rest of the family to do on South Padre Island.
Did you need me to make a list for you? Okay…
First there is the beach, the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre, so swimming, surfing, skimboarding, snorkeling, jet skis, parasailing, paddle boarding, kite boarding, kayaking. On land there is horseback riding, golf carts, beach bicycles, Segways, ziplining, shopping, and restaurants. Inland there is the lighthouse, deep water port, and zoo. See lots more Area Info.
Do you rent multiple hotel rooms to accommodate your whole family, or do you all stay in one of the many spacious vacation rental properties available on the island? These are individually owned condominiums and homes that owners share with guests from all over. Padre Island Rentals has a great selection of vacation rental homes for groups and budgets of all sizes. Experience Better with Padre Island Rentals Professional Vacation Rental Hosts. Our best deals are found by booking direct.
SPECIAL OFFER – Book now and receive a $50 SPI Fun Pass to any of the great adventures at Osprey Cruises. Use coupon code $50OspreyFree when booking online. Or call us at 877-567-3157, and be sure to tell our professional vacation rental hosts you want the Free $50 Osprey offer. See More Details.