Baytown’s Auld big winner at tourney; Pleasure Island’s Elite Redfish Series Open Qualifier ends with a flourish
Published 4:41 pm Monday, October 17, 2016
- First place winner and qualifier Steve Auld celebrates onstage with his wife and son. Lorenzo Salinas/The News
Elite anglers from across the country gathered on Pleasure Island to compete in the Elite Redfish Series Open Qualifier on Oct. 14 and 15.
Steve Auld of Baytown won first place in the Open Qualifier gaining $10,000 and a place in the 2017 Classic Kick Off.
Auld won the qualifier with a total two-day catch weight of 47.81 pounds.
“It was a grind today.
“I’ve had bad luck all this year,” Auld said.
Among his setbacks, Auld had experienced his boat breaking down on him in Galveston and his motor brake giving out on him in Grand Isle.
“I needed some prayers then,” Auld said. “I just kept grinding and couldn’t ask for better fishing yesterday.”
Freddy Frederick holds his third place catch in both hands.
Lorenzo Salinas/The News
Auld had caught 30 fish on the first day of the qualifier; however, that luck quickly turned south the second day.
“I caught three fish today,” said the first place winner. “I didn’t catch my first one until 12:30 today, then the next one an hour before the time was up, and the third one in the last 20 minutes.”
“I was beating myself up when I went out there today,” Auld said.
However, his perseverance paid off as he came in first in the Elite Redfish Qualifier and second in the Big Bag Award.
When asked what he would do with his combined winnings of $11,000, Auld answered, “Well, it’ll be my wife’s birthday, so we’ll probably go on a trip.”
Second place winner Jake Jordan had only good things to say about Auld’s skill and final placing.
“We went pre-fishing the other day,” Jordan said. “We caught a bunch of fish, laughing and talking about it.”
That spirit of solidarity carried over to fellow fishers.
“I know some local guys,” Freddy Frederick, third place winner, said. “All the guys on the tour welcomed me. It was overwhelming.”
For some, like fourth place winner Thomas Barlow, they were just here for Southeast Texas fishing.
“I love fishing here, always,” Barlow said.
- First place winner and recipient of $10,000: Steve Auld with 47.81 pounds
- Second place winner and recipient of $3,000: Jake Jordan with a combined haul of 46.47 pounds
- Third place winner and recipient of $2,000: Freddy Frederick with 45.15 pounds
- Fourth place winner and recipient of $1,500: Lee Daughdrill with 45.12 pounds of fish
- Fifth place winner and recipient of $1,000: Thomas Barlow with 45.02 pounds
Frederick won first prize in the Huk Heavy Bag; Auld won second; and Thomas Barlow won third place.
