This past weekend the Texas B.A.S.S. Federation & the Texas Bow Fishing Association held two separate Grass Carp fishing tournaments for a combined total of 5,000 lbs of fish! Ron Gunter, assistant state conservation director said the tournaments help in solving a major problem on Lake Conroe. “Texas Parks and Wildlife decided that there were too many Grass Carp, and they weren’t allowing the plants to expand again,” said Gunter. “We’re trying to reduce the number of Carp, not eradicate them...these tournaments are for TPW to find the ‘magic number’ of carp needed for the lake.”

These tournaments which were held at Stow-A-Way Marina in Willis are family friendly events. Registration for the Grass Carp tournament was $35. A portion of the registration fee went to the Lake Conroe Native Aquatic Plant Restoration Program. Vince Anderson, a manager at the Marina said, “We saw fathers and sons out here, people with their kids. It’s not like bass tournaments, where it’s more cutthroat. I hope they’ll do it again, everybody out here enjoyed it”. The TPW will make their decision for future tournaments based on the results of this year’s tournament. “TPW sanctioned the tournament, so everybody participating was told they could ‘catch, keep, and retain’,” said Gunter. “Grass carp are still protected and they are not an open species”.

According to the Seven Coves Bass Club website, Keith Caka was the over all winner. He brought in 28 Grass Carp. The fish were weighed hourly and participates were awarded cash prizes for highest quantity caught and highest weight reeled in. James Tucker came in second place reeling in 16 Grass Carp. “I did this because it was for a good reason, a good cause,” said Tucker. “It brings people together, too. Fishing with friends wears you out, but you have fun."