One of the fastest-growing fishing rodeos in South Louisiana is the CRC event held every year in Delacroix. It features hundreds of talented anglers competing for first-place trophies and bragging rights in six categories, followed by a seafood feast and toe-tapping music on the final day.

Last year, my buddy Jonathan Ryan and I came up a little short, with Ryan landing second in the heaviest-redfish category. Determined to nab one of the trophies this year, we set out again the first weekend of June, searching for big bass and redfish.

The forecast didn’t seem to favor our chances — or those of any other angler. Weather prophets promised 100-percent chance of rain on the rodeo’s first day, followed by 90 percent on its second. In fact, several other rodeos that were scheduled for the same weekend cancelled or rescheduled to avoid the promised maelstrom.

But except for one 45-minute thundershower, the skies stayed mostly clear, and the fishing action was absurdly good.

We caught nonstop redfish, and even a few bass, on an assortment of lures, including Echo 1.75 crank baits, Stanley Ribbits and H&H gold spinners teamed with shrimp creole-colored Matrix Shads. The fish were inspired to feed both mornings of the rodeo thanks to falling tides that were aided by brisk southwesterly winds.

Check out the video below from day one of the rodeo. Ryan and I began catching fish almost from the word go. Rodeos like this are what make Louisiana my lifelong home and the only place I’ll ever live.

Like the video? Please give it a thumbs-up, and subscribe to the Marsh Man Masson channel on YouTube. Also, leave a comment below or on the YouTube page. Do you fish rodeos or tournaments? If so, how does your strategy change compared to days when you’re simply fishing for fun?