Page 69 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2019

for the Redfish Slot Division. She was really a trooper.” All three celebrities then joined Hancock- Whitney Bank in presenting a $10,000 check to Kidz Outdoors.
While the celebrities ended the day having had a boatload of fun but finding few fish, a number of other veteran anglers did manage to find some luck. David Saucier is known as a top angler who routinely catches big reds. The Joes & Pros was no exception — he took top redfish honors with a 32.4 pound red. Rachel Bosarge led the Redfish Slot category while Tabitha Hatcher
was the Women’s Grand Champion. But it was veteran speck fisherman, Brandon Busby, who ended up with the biggest trout...and the biggest story.
Brandon Busby was the Trout Grand Champion, and then with team winner Jimmy Swinford went on to win the Team Trout Championship netting a combined $7,000. Pretty big story! But that’s not all. He did all that without even entering an 8.1 pound trophy trout that he decided to keep!
But that’s still not all. He was wading fishing when
he hooked the biggest trout of his life. He fought it until finally managing to get it into the net with the
tail hanging out one side and the head the other. This fish was so big, he struggled to get his hands around its “throat.” He was able to get the stringer through the bottom lip, but before he could finish the fish flipped out of the net and swam away. “I’ve caught a lot of nice trout,” he said, “and this one was over 12 pounds.”
While Brandon didn’t need this 12 plus pound speck to win the tournament, he did need it to break the state record AND win the $25,000! When asked how long it would take before he quit having nightmares, Brandon replied, “Probably never.” I believe him.
For a complete list of winners and more information on the tournament, visit www.joesandpros.com.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
July 2019 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 69
Mrs. USA Universal Kimberly Meinhart, Jimmy Swinford and Brandon Busby