RFRI PRESENTS DERBY DAYS

TAG IT LOUISIANA

In 2024 RFRI & CCA Louisiana will run a Red Snapper & Redfish tag and release tournaments designed to collect information used in making management decisions at state & federal levels. The tournaments collect valuable scientific data, include key stakeholders, and demonstrate novel approaches to collecting info real-time. The Red Snapper tournament will run concurrently with Louisiana’s recreational red snapper season starting generally the Friday before Memorial Day. The inaugural 2024 Redfish tournament will run from: April – June & August – October. Check LDWF’s website for the latest season info for the Red Snapper and Redfish regs.

TIMAU’S TAG IT LOUISIANA VIRTUAL TOURNAMENT SERIES

Catch, Tag, Win!

Help us collect data on your favorite sport fish by taking photos of your catch (via our Angler Almanac app) and tagging your releases. Red Snapper tournament runs concurrent with Louisiana’s recreational red snapper season.

About the Tournament

Who

Any properly licensed recreational angler in Louisiana. You are required to have a Louisiana Basic Fishing and Saltwater Fishing Licenses and a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit if fishing for Tunas, Billfish, Swordfish, Amberjacks, Snappers, Groupers, Hinds, Cobia, Wahoo, Dolphinfish, or Gray Triggerfish.

When

The Red Snapper tournament runs concurrently with Louisiana’s recreational season. Generally, starts the Friday before Memorial Day and ends when the quota is filled. The inaugural 2024 Redfish tournament will run from: April – June & August – October. Check LDWF’s website for the latest season info for the Red Snapper and Redfish regs.

Where

Anglers can fish anywhere in Louisiana state waters or the Federal waters off of Louisiana during the open recreational red snapper season, click here for details.

What

Catch, Tag, Win! Help collect valuable info on Red Snapper & Redfish by participating in these Tournaments.

Why

Tag returns when combined with estimates of catch and effort can be used to estimate red snapper abundance which is critical in conservation biology and building robust management programs. Your participation will also continue the amazing work started during the “Great Red Snapper Count” & help us better understand redfish habitat utilization.

How much

Registration is $20 & you must be a registered tagger in TAG Louisiana and download the Anglers Almanac App. Funds will be utilized exclusively for tournament expenses and to advance our understanding of red snapper and redfish.

2023 Tournament Prizes

1ST PLACE
Shimano Tekota 800PG $299.99
Shimano Talavera Rod $119.99
Shimano Tonno Bag Rod $145.99
Bubba Hook Extractor $43.99
Brun 20QT Ice Chest $200.99
Plus Braid • Plus M&B Gear

2nd PLACE
Shimano Tekota 500HG $219.99
Shimano Talavera Rod $119.99
Shimano Tonno Bag Rod $145.99
Bubba Hook Extractor $43.99
Brun 20QT Ice Chest $200.99
Plus Braid • Plus M&B Gear

3RD PLACE
Shimano Sedona 5000 $84.99
Shimano Talavera MH $99.99
Brun 20QT Ice Chest $200.99
Plus Braid • Plus M&B Gear

HOW TO ENTER

Registration

Registration can only be done via TAGITLA. Individual participants must establish an account with a valid email, textable phone number & a mailing address. All tournament materials will be mailed.

Angler Requirements

Participants will be required to have a smartphone & utilize a ruler in every photo for a catch to be valid. 

TOURNAMENT RULER

TAG IT Tournament Rulers are available upon request. Tag@taglouisiana.net.
We will accept any TAG Louisiana tags that an angler already has in their possession. Tags will be assigned to individual anglers.

Download the Angler Almanac App for tournament use.

Tagging & Catch Submission Rules and Requirements RP

HOW TO WIN

16 inches

0 pt.

16-24 inches

0 pts.

24-27 inches

0 pts.

27-inches & above

0 pts.

Bonus Points:

1

TOP 3 ANGLERS
BASED ON POINTS

2

CATEGORIES:
OPEN

3

DIVISIONS:
RED SNAPPER & REDFISH

4

If fish that are tagged are recaptured, tagging angler will receive recapture info and recapturing angler will also receive data about the original capture.

Tournament Rules

1. It is the responsibility of all participants in the TAG IT Tournament to read, understand, and comply with all of the tournament rules and requirements. If you have a question, do not hesitate to contact us via the CONTACT US TAB

2. This tournament is for Red Snapper or Redfish only landed in the state of Louisiana during the open recreational season.

3. All catches must comply with all requirements set forth by TAG IT regarding fishing rules, photo rules, & submission requirements in order to be considered a valid catch and have points awarded.

4. It is the responsibility of the participants to adhere to LDWF recreational fishing regulations while fishing. Red Snapper Info Sheet & Redfish Info Sheet  

5. Unsportsmanlike conduct before, during and after the event can result in disqualification and being banned from future TAG IT events. Disputes or grievances will be handled with TAG IT in private.

6. All rules and requirements are subject to change during the tournament. Any rules and or requirements changed will be communicated to individuals. It is understood that a catch prior to an update of these rules is exempt. TAG IT is part of a non-profit entity (RFRI).

LOUISIANA FISHERIES PIONEER

On Valentine’s Day 2018, Louisiana’s saltwater fishermen lost one of the best friends they ever could have had when Maumus “Timau” Claverie passed away.

Timau was saving fish long before saving fish was cool. He got his start in fisheries management in the mid-70s when he saw a problem with foreign longliner boats catching lots of yellowfin tuna and billfish, and Timau knew this had to stop or we could lose our billfish stocks close to home. It was his dedication and untiring efforts that lead to legislation stopping foreign longliners from operating in the Gulf of Mexico.

Timau moved on to be one of the founders of Save our Specks. He was one of the founding members of CCA Louisiana in 1983. Timau knew more about fisheries management than most, and served in many areas of CCA, including chaire of their science committee and on the national board of directors. Timau gave thousands upon thousands of hours of his time to save the fish: He took time away from his family, his law practice and even fishing to save and protect our marine fisheries resources.

Timau served four terms on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, including being chairman for one year, and was a longtime member of the board of trustees for the International Gamefish Association, the Billfish Foundation, and the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. Timau made many trips to both the state and nation’s capital to testify on fisheries conservation issues. When Timau spoke, people listened because he always based his comments on sound science and facts – not emotion.

We lost a giant in fisheries management. He was the best friend that speckled trout, redfish, billfish and tuna ever had in Louisiana. Timau came up with the idea for the speckled trout and redfish tagging program, and is the man that put together all the tagging kits, made the tag sticks, entered the information of tagged fish and then logged the recapture information via computer. Timau knew how critical this information would be for fisheries management and put in thousands of hours for the program.

For all of Timau’s hard work and dedication to fisheries management for more than 30 years, he was inducted into the Louisiana CCA Hall of Fame.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT US?

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

Managing the future of fishing in Louisiana is a monumental task and in order for the RFRI to tackle fisheries, habitat, and coastal restoration projects, funding is required. Your contributions will greatly protect, enhance and maintain the Gulf Coast Marine Fishery through science, education and public involvement.