Texas Border Business
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – Early Saturday morning anglers hit the waterways returning to the docks before 7:00 p.m. to weigh in their catch.
The Awards Ceremony on Sunday brought anglers and their families back together to recognize those who took top prizes. Winning anglers received acrylic prints featuring the tournament artwork designed by SPI Chamber staff member Dianna L. Harvill. Trophies were also awarded for Grand Champion Bay Division, Grand Champion Offshore Division and the LKT Legacy Award.
This year’s bay grand champion was Carrie Lee Buchen from Harlingen, TX. Carrie Lee brought in all three species (Redfish, Trout and Flounder) for a total weight of 14.2 pounds. She was fishing with Charles Buchen on the Tail Chaser. Amber Hartung from Laguna Vista, TX walked away with the Offshore Championship when she brought in all four species (Kingfish, Bonito, Dorado and Blackfin Tuna) for a total weight of 44.75 pounds. Amber was fishing on the Playin Hooky with Captain Jeff Hartung.
The LKT Legacy Award, created in memory of Ann Wells by her daughter Vicki Lambert, was awarded to Charla Givens from South Padre Island, TX. Ann Wells fished LKT for 35 years prior to her death in 2017. The award was started in 2017 as the “Angler Annie Award”, and was presented to Maria Pinkerton. In 2018 the name was changed to the LKT Legacy Award and was presented to Sandra Veale. Kelsey Wells Garcia received the award in 2019, no award in 2020, Sylvia Wernecke in 2021 and Diana Johnson in 2022.
Additional Photos of all winners and general tournament photos can be found on the SPI Chamber of Commerce website at https://www.spichamber.com/
Mark your calendar for the 43rd Annual Ladies Kingfish Tournament scheduled for August 9-11, 2024 and start your own Island tradition.
