NEW ORLEANS – Heading into the final day of Redfish Open competition, Gerald Rabroker of Belton, Texas, had a rather comfortable 2-pound lead over his nearest rival. However, Rabroker’s comfort level quickly evaporated after getting a first-hand look at what big-time, final-day tournament pressure is all about.
“It was really touch-and-go there for a while,” said Rabroker, who partnered with second-place pro finisher Todd Dufour during the finals. “We just couldn’t get our fish to bite early. And when we went to Todd’s main spot, there were already boats on it. We went to his next spot, and there was another boat there and we couldn’t get in to fish. At that point, I was starting to get really nervous.”
However, a late gamble by Dufour ultimately proved to be the deciding factor in Rabroker’s victory.
“Finally, we had no choice but to go with Plan B,” said Rabroker. “Todd decided to make a huge gamble late in the day and make a 20-minute run. At that time it was about 1:30 p.m. Once we got to our new spot, it wasn’t more than five minutes when I caught a 7-pound, 10-ounce fish. At that point, I was feeling a lot better.”
With time ticking away, the duo eventually boated a stringer weighing 14 pounds, 10 ounces.
“I knew that was probably enough weight for me,” said Rabroker, who ultimately recorded a four-day catch of 58 pounds, 6 ounces. “But Todd thought he needed at least 15 pounds to win. So we kept looking for more fish. In the end, we just couldn’t improve on it.”
While the team’s final weight wasn’t enough for Dufour to capture the title, it proved to be just enough for Rabroker.
“It feels great to get the win,” said Rabroker. “But even if I didn’t win any money, this tournament would have been worth it. I fished with a lot of really good pros. And I learned a lot from these guys. I just had a great time.”
White runner-up
Barnie White of Brewton, Ala., grabbed second place overall with a four-day catch of 57 pounds, 4 ounces. Although he didn’t get the win he’d hoped for in the end, White said he had few regrets.
“I fished as hard as I could fish,” said White. “I got a chance to see what the pros do out on the water, and I really learned a lot all week. It’s amazing. No matter what happens out on the water, the pros never seem to lose their focus. This tournament has really increased my confidence level.”
For his efforts, White earned $2,500 in prize money.
Best of the rest
Day-one co-angler leader Eugene Abadie III of Covington, La., took home third place and a check for $2,250. Abadie ultimately recorded a total catch of 56 pounds, 7 ounces.
Billy Blackwood of San Antonio, Texas, netted fourth place with a total catch of 55 pounds, 7 ounces. Blackwood walked away with $2,000 in winnings.
Rounding out the top five co-angler finalists was Dwain Bankston of Cypress, Texas. Bankston earned $1,800 in prize money after recording a total catch of 49 pounds, 7 ounces.