Winners at the 80th Annual TIFT

by Tony Vindell/LFN

Dozens of winners were named during the 80th annual Texas International Fishing Tournament and anglers from all ages went home with trophies and certificates while others won the right to have their names on perpetual mementos owned by the organization.

Among them were Jacqueline Lawrence, an 11 years old girl from Baytown and Rick Guerrero.

Lawrence took first place in the jack crevalle and second place in the heaviest stringer categories while Guerrero grabbed the number one spot with the heaviest speckled trout in the adult category.

The two anglers fished with their dads in bay waters of the Laguna Madre.

Lawrence’s father, Jeremy, is originally from Pharr and has relatives in Weslaco, South Padre Island and Port Mansfield, while Guerrero is from Harlingen.

“I won first place for the largest jack crevalle this year and two years ago,” Lawrence said. “I feel real good about it.”

Her mother, Gena, said they been fishing TIFT on and off through the years and added this is the one and only tournament they participate.

“We will be back next year,” Jeremy Lawrence said. “Jackeline will move to another division as she will turn twelve.”

Meanwhile, Guerrero could not hide his enthusiasm after his name was mentioned during the Sunday, Aug. 4 award ceremony.

“This is great,” he said, holding a certificate and a work of art he received. “My name is going on a perpetual plaque.”

Guerrero fished with a team of relatives including his 95 years old father, Tito, and they were among a contingent of about 1,100 anglers who participated in one of Texas largest and oldest fishing tournaments.