ESPN Tournaments

EMPIRE, La. — When Tadd Van Demark learned he and partner Kevin Shaw were leading the 2008 Redfish Cup U.S. Invitational at the Delta Marina, the wiry redfish angler said he hadn't planned on winning the qualification tournament but "sure would like to."

Half an hour later, Van Demark's wish came true. Using Cajun Thunder floats, Van Demark and Shaw, from Florida and Texas respectively, held onto the top spot with a total weight of 32.10 pounds over the two-day affair.

The team snagged a unique fish around 12:00 p.m.to push them into the driver's seat. Disease had ravaged the tail of a hefty redfish to leave nothing but a small stub. The naturally-disadvantaged fish fit just inside the 26-inch slot limit to be legal.

"It would have probably been a 28-inch fish," Shaw said. "All I know is, when we weighed it, I saw 9 pounds."

The unfortunate redfish turned into potential fortunes for Van Demark and Shaw as the team earned a berth in the 2009 Redfish Cup and received a $5,000 credit towards next year's entry fees.

Taking the second slot in next year's Redfish Cup, Blair Wiggins and Travis Turner found 16.27 pounds for a 31.82-pound total. The Florida anglers from the east coast also secured a $3000 credit.

"The bite was on all day today," Wiggins said. When conditions changed midday, Wiggins and Turner simply switched shorelines to find their fish with popping corks. "We knew it (the bite) would turn on and we knew they would be turning on with bigger weights."

Third place went to Chris Cenci and Jim Taylor with 31.37 pounds. They received $2000 in entry fee credits. Fishing most of their careers in Florida waters, the team was surprised to find the effectiveness popping of corks and Slayer jigs.

"We caught more fish over the last couple days than a whole year in Punta Gorda," Taylor said.

Avoiding a potential tournament-ending mishap, Chief Tauzin and Clark Jordan secured a fourth place finish with 30.86. Tauzin and Jordan earned a $1000 credit as did the remaining teams which qualified.

The two Texas anglers blew a lower unit early but were fishing close enough to get towed into the marina and find a replacement boat.

"We didn't even start fishing today until noon," Tauzin said.

Finishing the tournament in fifth place, the Landry brothers — Lloyd and Luke — netted 30.74 pounds.

The familiar faces of Jon Loring and Ray Malone scooped up 30.71 pounds to land in sixth place and reclaim a position in the 2009 Redfish Cup. In seventh place, the Alabama duo of Scott Rittier and Robert Abruscato caught 30.68 pounds. Scott Henninger and John Eggers nailed down eight place with their 30.51 total.

But a three-way tie for ninth place forced Redfish Cup officials to allow for an eleventh team to qualify for the 2009 Redfish Cup. Eric Taylor, a 2008 Redfish Cup angler, fished with new partner Eric Holstman to catch 30.41 pounds while Joe Crosby and Rick Steckelberg, and Blake Pizzolato and Dwayne Eschete shared the same weight to complete the list of qualifiers.

For complete coverage, visit RedfishCup.com.