The 45th annual Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament is this weekend, so head out to this fishing village about 20 miles east of Raymondville. More than 200 anglers are expected to participate in the two-day tourney raising funds for the local chamber of commerce.
Registration is Thursday. Fishing takes place Friday and Saturday. The award ceremony is Sunday.
The tourney is the largest such contest here and the one which attracts most people whether they fish or not. Port Mansfield, a community of about 300 permanent residents, is a fishing enthusiast paradise. Surf, boat and pier fishing are the most popular ways to fish here whether for speckled trout, red fish or flounder in bay waters. Red snapper, king fish and other species are in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
The tournament creates a windfall for the motel-hotel industry, the village’s three restaurants and the three bait shops that sell live and frozen bait such as croaker, mullets and shrimp. Sybil Simmons, a local businesswoman, said she has a good number of units available for those wanting to stay overnight.
“Come on over,” she said. “I believe the tournament is going to be fantastic.”
Simmons said the units she either owns or manages are booking fast but there still is time to get a place. She can be contacted at Y-Knot Rentals at 956-944-2575 or go to harbor@granderiver.net or www@yknotrentals.com.
John Sterling, a chamber member, said the pavilion has new improvements.
“This is the only fundraising event the chamber has for its annual operations,” he said. “We expect some 300 anglers.”
To get to Port Mansfield, take Expressway 77 North, or I-69E, to Raymondville. Once there, take a right on Texas Highway 186 East until you see a sign welcoming you to Port Mansfield. Watch out for the village’s wild white-tailed deer population, which numbers in the hundreds.
