The 37th annual CCA Texas STAR Tournament will run from 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, to 6 p.m. on Monday, September 7. According to the CCA Director of Operations for the STAR Tournament Ryan Towns, there are new changes for this year’s tournament regarding what was formerly known as the Blue Tag Division.
“Instead of the Blue Tag Division, this year we will have what is called the Tags of Texas Division,” Towns said. “There will be 12 tagged redfish allocated to each of the following tournament sponsors: Academy Sport & Outdoors, Hoffpauir Polaris, Mercury Marine, Mustang Cat, and Lone Star Beer. These tags will be color coded specifically for each of these businesses or entities.”
Towns said the first three eligible anglers that catch a tagged redfish with one of the Tags of Texas will win a new Transport boat, motor, and trailer package, along with a gift package from the sponsor indicated on the tag valued at $750.
“We also have several other additional new changes for this year’s tournament,” Towns said. “The boat prize for the Early Bird Drawing has been upgraded to a Dargel Kuda 230 with a 250HP Mercury motor and a McClain trailer. For the Member Bonus Drawing, we upgraded the boat prize to a Dargel Attacka Flat 203 with a Mercury motor and a McClain trailer. We’ve also added another Member Bonus Drawing for a brand new Ford F-250 Truck.”
Towns said entrants don’t even have to wet a line to win one of the member bonus drawing prizes. Everyone who is signed up for the Star Tournament and has a current CCA membership has a chance at winning these drawings.
“In honor of former CCA Texas STAR Tournament Director Bill Kinney, we have also added an additional $50,000 kids scholarship prize drawing, called the Bill Kinney Conservation Scholarship,” Towns said. “This is in addition to the $25,000 ABC 13 Scholarship drawing. So, we are now offering $75,000 in college scholarship drawings for kids that do not end up on the final leaderboard.”
Similar to years past, the first five eligible anglers to catch tagged redfish with a red tag will win a brand new 23-foot Haynie Amigo boat, motor, and trailer package, and a 2026 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew Cab. The next five eligible anglers to catch a fish with a red tag will win a 23-foot Haynie Amigo boat, motor, and trailer package.
Towns said 120 tagged redfish will be released from Sabine Lake to South Padre Island in mid to late May, just before the tournament commences.
“All the red drum we tag and release are 100% wild caught fish,” Towns said. “The majority of these fish are released from the shoreline in popular fishing grounds and hotspots, including piers, jetties, dikes, causeways, bridges, reefs, boat ramps, and parks. Some fish are also released in popular spots within our bay systems. We want these fish to be caught by anglers.”
Towns said there are over $2 million in prizes and scholarships up for grabs in the CCA STAR Tournament this year.
“I would strongly encourage all anglers to get signed up for the tournament and to ensure their membership with CCA is current and active as soon as possible,” Towns said. “That way, you know you’re eligible to win, and all that’s left to do is get out there and fish.”
Historically, there have been about 10 tagged redfish caught in the first 10 days or so of the tournament each year, according to Towns.
“All of the tagged redfish divisions involve the catch, clip the tag, and release method,” Towns said. “Anglers have to catch the tagged redfish, clip the tag, and then release the fish. The tag must be turned into one of our 18 weigh stations within 24 hours.”
All photos by Mac Elliott, CCA.
