First-place finishers Steve Ward (left) and Trevor Taylor (right) display their winning fish at the IFA Redfish Tour event at Houma, La., on August 4.
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NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Trevor Taylor, of Panama City, Florida, and Steve Ward, of Panama City Beach, Florida, weighed a two-fish limit that totaled 18.03 pounds to win the second regular-season event for the Louisiana Division of the IFA Redfish Tour presented by Cabela’s on August 4 at Houma, Louisiana. The team won a fully rigged Ranger RB190 boat prize package powered by a 90-horsepower, four-stroke Mercury outboard.
While the team has had two top-five finishes in their three years fishing the IFA, the Florida-based anglers made the trip worth the while with their first IFA Redfish Tour win.
“This is a dream come true,” said Taylor. “We have waited for this knowing we have been so close before. I can’t explain how great this feeling is. The IFA is the best series out there, so this is a blessing.”
The anglers ran about 25 miles. With rain falling most of the day during competition, it didn’t take long for the water to dirty. Once the sun was up, the team were able to sight-fish before eventually dropping their Power-Pole anchors and staying put to fish out the area with soft plastics and copper spoons.
For their efforts, the team won a total of $29,500, including $500 from Berkley Gulp! for their 9.48-pound kicker red and an additional $2,000 in Ranger Cup bonus money.
Second-place finishers Michael Cowart, of Panama City Beach, Florida, and Mark Cowart, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, weighed 17.54 pounds to win $4,000 plus an additional $2,513 in Anglers Advantage cash.
Kristian Robert, of Pearl River, Louisiana, and Stephen Peterman, of New Orleans, Louisiana, weighed 17.53 pounds to take third place. The duo ran 160 miles round trip in rough conditions and sight-fished with soft plastics. For their fish, the anglers took home a total of $3,752 in winnings.
The next stop for the IFA Redfish Tour is set for Orange, Texas, on August 18. Teams that compete in at least two regular-season events will be qualified for the 2018 IFA Redfish Tour Championship.
IFA events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Hobie Fishing, Ranger Boats, Cabela's, Mercury Marine, Berkley Gulp!, Berkley Gulp! Alive!, PENN Reels, Spiderwire, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Power-Pole, Valley Fashions, T-H Marine, ATLAS, G-Juice, Navionics, Garmin and Powertex Group.
For more information or to become a member of the IFA, visit www.ifatours.com.
IFA Redfish Tour – Louisiana Division
Houma, Louisiana (Top 10)
Taylor Trevor/Steve Ward – 18.03 .lbs
Mark Cowart/Michael Cowart – 17.54 .lbs
Stephen Peterman/Kristian Robert – 17.53 .lbs
Kris Howell/Jason McMahan – 16.84 .lbs
Kirk Davis/Kyle Rodrigue – 16.52 .lbs
Casey Brunning/Ty Hibbs – 16.40 .lbs
Pierre Dubord/Ronney Smith – 16.26 .lbs
Bobby Weir/Matthew Schoen – 15.99 .lbs
Chuck Turner/Trey Fryfogle – 15.88 .lbs
Heath Martin/Kelly Green – 15.78 .lbs
Media Contact: Greg Duncan
Blue Heron Communications
(405) 364-3433