I would like to thank the Houston Big Game Fishing Club for awarding me scholarships in 2012 and 2013. The scholarships have opened opportunities that otherwise would not have been available. I am focusing on a Marine Engineering and Technology degree at Texas A&M at Galveston. I grew up on the coast fishing and working on boats. I want to use this degree to offer me a successful career for my future.

Freshman year I was able to get through many classes such as calculus, marine engineering, and life boatman training. I was a successful member in the corp of cadets and had the opportunity to march at Texas A&M football games. Unfortunately I was not able to fish much this summer as I was abroad on a cadet training ship (The Empire State). This year I am looking forward to a full schedule of engineering classes. Leading up to an internship opportunity in the summer of 2014.

It means a lot to me that Houston Big Game Fishing Club has honored me with these scholarships. I look forward to volunteering and fishing with the club in the future.

Get involved in the year long tournament by submitting a verification form for each catch and release! Click here for Club Awards Program information and verification forms.

The competition is on! 

Texas Division- Will Lett's Mojo is still leading the Top Boat Category with 4,502 points, George Gartner's Legacy is in second place with 4,123.6 points and Monty Scruggs' Happy Hour is in third place with 3,500 points. Richard Richardson is holding first place Top Male Angler with 3,373.6 points, Eric Alarid is in second place with 2,250 points and Alan Latham is holding third place with 1,902 points.  Mandy Trahan is still the leading Female Angler with 600 points and new member Carla Hadley is in second place with 200 points.  In the meatfish divisions, Richard Richardson holds first place Blue Marlin with a 561.8 catch, Lisa King is still in first place with her 97 pound Wahoo. Ron McDowell is now holding first place Yellowfin Tuna with a 107 pound catch and Sherry Potter is still leading the Dorado division with a 50.5 catch. Brandon Perthuis' Chase This is leading the Swordfish division with 1,000 points. 

International Division

Take a moment...the engine room is good, all the things you have been worried about all week are fixed and the pressure is off. Break the jetty and set your course then let the autopilot take over. Put your feet on the wheel, sit back and take a minute to think about how lucky you are to be able to do what you're doing. Remember the people and friends who have passed that you have enjoyed this sport with.  Be thankful for the people fishing with you now and the family and friends you have waiting for you when you get home.  After that, holler to your mate over the wind and the engine noise "let's go catch one"! He gives you a thumbs up; life is good.