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Kids Take Center Stage at Lock One Tournament
 Keith Lusher
Being in the fishing industry and working around sportsmen often limits my encounters with folks who aren’t familiar with fishing. When posed with the question of “How long have you been fishing?” The answers are overwhelmingly “Since before I can remember?” Still there’s that one person every now and then that shocks me when they answer “I’ve never been fishing…this is my first time.”
Local bass angler Chad Hartzog of Bush thinks that answer is unacceptable and said he’s doing his best to see to it that everyone gets the chance to experience a fishing trip before the age of 12. “Sometimes all it takes is one fish to turn a kid into a lifelong fisherman,” he said. Hartzog is one of the tournament directors for the Liars and Lunkers Bass Club based in Pearl River. The club holds monthly tournaments and weekly tournaments for adults but Hartzog said it’s the annual kids fishing tournament that he really looks forward to. 
The Liars and Lunkers Kids Fishing tournament is slated to make its 21st start on Sunday, July 11 at the Lock One boat launch off of Highway 41 in Pearl River. The event is free and open to all kids from 3-12 years of age. It will feature 4 categories: Bass, Bream, Catfish, and other. “We’ll weigh anything except a snake. If you bring in a snake, you’re going to have to weigh it yourself,” Hartzog joked. 
The top three places will win a rod and reel combo and a tackle box stuffed with lures. Also 40 trophies will be awarded to those who finish in the top ten of every division.“You should see those faces when they get the trophies - they’re so proud!” Hartzog said. “Even when that tackle box and fishing pole are long gone they’ll still have that trophy sitting up there on the shelf to remember the day.” In addition to the on-the-water competition there will be a casting contest and every kid will receive a goodie bag. Also free food and drinks will reserved to everyone who attends.
Even if you don’t compete Hartzog said it’s a great atmosphere and has become like a family reunion for the area. “It’s just a really fun time out there and we’re so grateful to everyone who has helped out throughout the community to make it happen,” he said. 
Fishing License Reminder
With all the independence Day festivities this past week, you may have overlooked the fact that your fishing license for 2021 has expired. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reminds all sportsmen that all 2020-21 recreational fishing and hunting license expired on June 30, 2021. Licenses for the 2021-2022 seasons are available for purchase beginning June 1 and are valid until June 30, 2022.  Tyler Allgood and Steele Sessions
Tournament Results
The Liars and Lunkers wrapped up their 2021 Spring / Summer Series with a tournament on the East Pearl River. Seventeen (17) teams braved the high winds and heavy rains in an attempt to pick up some points and cash prizes. As the 3:00 p.m. weigh-in rolled around, two familiar names were at the top of the standings. Steele Sessions and Tyler Allgood took the win and the series points title with 15.27 lbs. of bass. They also had the days biggest bass which weighed in at 4.09 lbs. Second place went to Caleb and Cristian Beaudette with 13.44 lbs. Caleb and Christian also took second place in the series points standings. Third place went to Kyle Hills and LaShun Robertson with 12.67 lbs. 
The Double Nickel Bass Club fished the East Pearl River and saw a great turn-out with 21 fishermen showing up to compete. The weather was stormy all day but that didn't seem to hurt the bite one bit as the bags were heavy. Bob Perry lead the way with a 3-fish tournament limit weighing 7.29 lbs. Perry also caught the big fish of the day which was a 3.14 lb. bass. In second place was Ralph Dunn with 3 fish that weighed 6.54 lbs. James Boudreax came in third place with a 3-fish limit weighing 5.76 lbs. Joe Picone came in second place big fish with a 3.09 lb. bass. 
Ralph Dunn, Bob Perry, James Boudreax, Joe Picone
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 Keith Lusher
I created NFR.com in the spring of 2012. Since then it has helped link Northshore fishermen to valuable information and has filled the void of absent information on the web about fishing on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Northshore Fishing Report has morphed into a brand name and can be found not only on the web, but on radio and newspaper. As NFR grows I will continue to work hard at keeping NFR local focusing on local anglers, reports, seminars, and fishing tournaments in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parish. I hope you enjoy the website and If you have any questions please email me at: Keith@NorthshoreFishingReport.com
Look for the Northshore Fishing Report publication every Thursday in The Slidell Independent Weekly Newspaper!
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Eric Ciko joins the NFR Studio by phone to talk about his win in the Liars and Lunker's Thursday evening tournament on Lock One and bass fishing on the East Pearl River.
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