MANDEVILLE, La. — If you believe in having a lucky number, you're going to find this story incredible.
A Northshore family won a big prize after the same number kept falling into place.
It was Ben Schulz's golden birthday, 11-years-old on June 11. So, the Mandeville family celebrated with a charter fishing trip out of Hopedale to Delacroix.
“I just like the excitement when I hook into a fish, and the thrill of reeling it in,” said Ben Schulz, 11.
And guess how many fish they caught that day.
“We catch 11 fish,” Ben added.
But none of those fish had a special CCA tag on it. You see, the family joins the Coastal Conservation Association every year to support its mission.
“We are essentially the voice for recreational fishermen. We try and bring back the oyster reefs that disappeared, or the fisheries that once were. We try and make them the way they were back in the day,” said Sam Hopper, Director of the CCA STAR Tournament.
And every summer, CCA puts on the Statewide Tournament and Anglers Rodeo (STAR), to increase membership. And every time the Schulz family fishes, mom, Ally, constantly asks if the catch has a winning tag. Well, 11 days after that 11th birthday, on June 11th, with 11 fish, they head out on the waters again.
“I was catching fish left and right, and my dad couldn't even have time to unhook the fish,” remembers Ben.
Then mom hooks a redfish.
“And then we saw that it said CCA STAR Louisiana, or 2024 CCA STAR Louisiana, and the tag number, and we went crazy,” Ally Schulz laughed.
And guess what time it was?
“She actually sees that it does have a tag. So, we just start freaking out. I give my dad the net, and we net it and it's 11:11 a.m.,” said Ben.
Ally is only the fourth woman in the history of the CCA tournament to be one of the winners. And boy did she win big. A 23-foot boat, 200 horsepower motor, and trailer, all worth $65,000.
“I just thought we're going to live like millionaires from now on,” laughed Ben.
CCA says 180 redfish have been tagged from Sabine to the Biloxi march. Previously, two men, each fishing from separate shores, have been big winners too. One got a Chevy Silverado, and the other, a boat like Ally's. Last year only 15 of the tagged fish were caught, but only one person got a prize because the rest were not registered.
“We've had people as far as Hawai'i join, and it's funny. Last year, we had three out-of-state anglers catch fish,” said Hopper.
So, now the Schulz's have one more task, to name their new boat. Maybe Ocean's 11?
The tournament goes through Labor Day weekend, and there are many more big prizes, but you have to sign up.
To register, click here.
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