Bass club invites fishermen to Anglers for Autism event
LAKE ARTHUR — The Bayou Bass Anglers Bass Club invites all fishermen to take part in the inaugural Anglers for Autism Saturday, Sept. 8, in Jeff Davis Parish.
The fishing tournament fundraiser will be held at Myers Landing, 169 Myers Landing Road, on the Mermentau River in Lake Arthur.
“The Bayou Bass Anglers Bass Club President Josh ‘Spanky’ Viator has a child who has autism, and I also have a child who is autistic, and Josh wanted to put something together to help raise awareness about autism and raise money to support families affected by it,” Tournament Director Marcus Crochet said. “So he asked the club if they would support having a tournament and they voted to do it. It’s something we have talked about for a long time.”
The benefit tournament will help children with autism get help that they need through the West Behavioral Center in Jennings. The center serves the five-parish area of Southwest Louisiana.
“All of the proceeds will support the West Behavioral Center so that more children may be able to receive services through their scholarship program, which helps low-income and uninsured families get the treatment and counseling they need,” Crochet said.
In addition to the tournament, activities will include food, music, fun jumps, a live auction and door prizes.
“Even if you don’t fish, you can still come out and mingle with the folks and have a good time,” Crochet said. “We want to try to make as much money as possible for a good cause and hopefully have a large turnout.”
Organizers hope to make the tournament an annual event.
The Alligator Blue Band will perform 5-6 p.m., followed by an auction 6-7 p.m. Richard LeBouef and Two-Step will take the stage 7-9 p.m.
Hamburgers, hot links, jambalaya and drinks will be sold beginning at 1 p.m.
Fishermen will hit the water at first light at 6:30 a.m. The first weigh-in will be at 3 p.m.
Fishermen will have a five-fish limit.
Payouts will be based on 40 boats with cash prizes ranging from $180 to $720.
Fishermen can pre-register at Marshland Tackle, 302 West Plaquemine St. in Jennings or online at www.anglersforautism.org.
Entry fee is $80 per boat for one to two-person teams. Registration payment is due by Sept. 8. No checks will be accepted after Aug. 25.
For more information, call Crochet at 526-6801; Viator at 526-6557 or David Veronie at 246-7333.
The inaugural Anglers for Autism fishing tournament will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, in Jeff Davis Parish.