Getting Dirty in Louisiana: Carp Tournament Draws a Crowd

This past weekend, ASGA proudly sponsored the Dirty Carp Tournament in Louisiana — and no, you didn’t misread that. Our team supported and participated in a tournament that lacked any presence of reds, trout or jacks on the leaderboard. Saturday’s rowdy event was a good old-fashioned carp rodeo, and we loved every muddy, tail-slapping minute of it.

You might be asking yourself, “why would a saltwater advocacy group sponsor a freshwater carp tournament?” The answer is simple — community.

ASGA stands for sustainable fisheries management driven by comprehensive science. Our ethos is built upon the spirit of the community we represent and the sport we love. We look for any worthy opportunity to spend time with our community and tap into the spirit that drives our advocacy work.

Fishing isn’t always about expensive technical gear, tracking tide charts and fancy boats. It’s about the people and the experiences we share. Regardless of where you live and what means you have to participate, we all have fond memories of simple fishing experiences. The Dirty Carp Tournament brings anglers of all backgrounds together for a whacky, grassroots day of good cheer. The barrier to participate is low: a single setup, a little bank space and maybe a net if you get tight on a “sewer salmon”.

The Dirty Carp is everything that’s good about a fishing tournament. A cheap entry fee. A wealth of “freebies”. Incredible retailer support from No Wake Outfitters. Positivity and sportsmanship. A level playing field targeted at inspiring youth participation. And a target species that is easily accessible for all skill levels – no ripping skiff or decades of bayou knowledge required. There are very few tournaments where you see competing teams netting each others’ fish and celebrating together. Plus, this derby has a cap on team registration so that it never loses sight of its roots as it gains popularity.

Don’t get twisted – ASGA isn’t entering the realm of freshwater fisheries management or carp advocacy. But events like the Dirty Carp give our team the chance to connect with anglers from all walks of life and listen to their experiences & goals for their fisheries. We enjoyed many heartfelt conversations about a variety of saltwater fisheries, from red drum to sea trout and jack crevalle. At ASGA, we believe that fisheries management should serve the community at large and all stakeholders who rely on it. Carp might not have the glamor of a redfish, but they fight like dogs, dig deep, and show up when the water gets muddy. Kind of like ASGA.

Thank you to Brent & Josh for their hard work, No Wake Outfitters for their support and every participating angler washing canal mud off their boats this morning. We’ll see you next year.