The oldest fishing tournament in the United States gets underway today at Grand Isle. 23 months ago, the state’s only inhabited barrier island, took a pounding from Hurricane Ida. But Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet says Grand Isle is once again ready to host thousands of fishermen and their families.
“All the marinas are open, Grand Isle Marina, Hurricane Hole, Bridge Side and Wake Side are all open and looking good, all have fresh and live bait and things are going well,” said Templet.
Tarpon Rodeo starts today and lasts through Saturday. Templet says it’s more than a fishing tournament.
“The event has a lot of activities now, we have crab races for the kids, on Friday and Saturday a cornhole competition, we have live music each night,” said Templet.
And in another sign of recovery for Grand Isle, Templet says the fishing pier that was closed due to damages from Ida, reopened earlier this month with high quality lights that attract fish of all kinds.
“What’s more impressive is to see the young families out there using the pier, I passed the pier numerous times over the last few days and every time I passed it someone is reeling up a fish,” said Templet.