Hayes clan reel in big catch in tourney
Published 9:00 am Tuesday, June 14, 2016
The Third Annual Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo brought in hundreds of anglers to Pensacola this past weekend with participating teams reeling in hopes of bringing in the biggest catch of the competition.
Courtesy photo
Emma Claire Hayes from Brewton with her dad, Kyle Hayes holds the 26 pound Red Snapper she caught on Friday.
Among the anglers were Brewton natives Emma Claire Hayes and Brody Hayes, with parents Kyle and LaCresha Hayes. The Hayes family fished on Friday.
The catch finished second place behind a 29-pounder caught by Weston Reed on Saturday. Nine-year old Brody Hayes finished in third place in the division with a 21. 5-pound catch.
Emma Claire and Brody Hayes’ catches were good for second and seventh place respectively in the Red Snapper Jackpot.
Emma Claire Hayes said catching and reeling in the Red Snapper was tough work.
“It was hard,” Hayes said. “It was really hard. It was smooth on the Gulf so that made it a little easier and I had a good (fishing) rod.”
Courtesy photo
Brody Hayes holds his 21.5-pound Red Snapper after he catches it.
Emma Claire Hayes said her family used eels and little baitfish for bait in the competition.
As well as being individually honored for their accomplishments, the Hayes family also received third place in the Boat Jackpot.
The Flora-Bama was the first fishing tournament for Emma Claire and Brody Hayes.
According to its website the FBFR is a multi-species, recreational and competitive fishing tournament featuring 38 categories with first, second and third place prize packages for each category. A portion of the FBFR ticket sales was donated to Operation ReConnect , a nonprofit organization geared to providing combat veterans with well-deserved family vacations.
