On Aug. 4 2018, the Bayou La Batre Kayak Classic Fishing Tournament will kick off with a 6 a.m. shotgun start at Bayou La Batre City Docks. Sponsored by the Bayou La Batre Area Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the South Mobile County Tourism Authority, the tournament will be held along the coastline of Bayou La Batre and the Gulf of Mexico.

Kayaks around the pier of Wanda Overstreet in Bayou La Batre.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for junior anglers. A Discount Combo of $50 includes entry to the tournament, as well as to the Taste of the Bayou seafood festival to be held June 13th at the Bayou La Batre Senior and Community Center. Complete registration details on the Bayou La Batre Kayak Classic including tournament rules and regulations can be found at http://www.bayoulabatrekayakclassic.org.

Anglers will compete for more than 30 different awards, including both Master and Junior Angler division titles. Junior anglers may fish from pier, land or kayaks. Plaques will be awarded for first, second and third-place adult anglers; juniors will receive trophies. Weigh-in begins at 10 a.m. More than $10,000 in prizes will be awarded.

"There will even be a kayak giveaway," said Chamber President Dena Pigg.

While this day is geared toward the rapidly growing U.S. sport - kayaking - and ultimately pulling in the biggest fish, there will also be plenty of fun for family members and visitors who are not in the competition. Festivities will be going on all through the day at the weigh-in station. Pigg said that there'll be vendors' booths, for example, and visitors can purchase a meal of fresh local seafood, snacks and cold drinks. In addition, there'll be live music to entertain the crowd. The band tunes up at 1:30 p.m. and awards will be given at 4 p.m.

For additional information, contact the Bayou La Batre Area Chamber of Commerce at 824-4088 or visit www.kayakclassic.com. Sponsors are still being sought; contact Pigg at above number for details.

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 Fishing from a kayakGetting in a little practice before the Aug. 16