HOST:	HOST HOTEL:	HOST MARINA:	CAPTAIN’S LUNCHEON
Port Arthur CVB 3401 Cultural Center Drive Port Arthur, TX. 77642 1-800-235-7822 409-985-5584 fax www.portarthurtexas.com patti@portarthurtexas.com	Holiday Inn Park Central 2929 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. Port Arthur, TX. 77642 409-724-5000	Pleasure Island Marina 580 Pleasure Island Blvd. Port Arthur, TX. 77640	Robert A. "Bob" Bowers Civic Center 3401 Cultural Center Drive Port Arthur, TX. 77642

Date	Time	Venue Details
Wednesday, May 28, 2008	6:00 PM–7:00 PM	"Meet the Pros"– Featuring Crocs Team: Tim Young and Jason Catchings, 2007 Redfish Cup Champions and 2008 Punta Gorda RFC Champs: Andrew Bostick and Mark Sepe and many more Redfish Cup Teams. Academy Sports & Outdoors Beaumont, Texas 7130 Eastex Frwy
Thursday, May 29, 2008	4:30–6:00 PM	Net Gains presented by ARC Dehooker Academy Sports & Outdoors Port Arthur, Texas
	6:00–7:00PM	Angler Alley Academy Sports & Outdoors Port Arthur, Texas
		Academy Sports & Outdoors 8453 Memorial Blvd Port Arthur, Texas 77640
Friday, May 30, 2008	6:15 AM	Day 1 Take Off Pleasure Island Marina
	2:00PM	Festival Opens
	3:00PM	Day 1 Redfish Cup Angler Weigh-in Pleasure Island Marina
Saturday, May 31, 2008	6:15AM	Day 2 Take Off Pleasure Island Marina
	11:00AM	Youth Fishing Tournament Registration Pleasure Island Boardwalk
	12 Noon	Festival Opens Sponsors and Exhibitors Open Oh Boy! Oberto, Crocs, Falcon Rods, ARC Dehooker Boat Show, Car Show, Kid's Crafts, Demonstrations
	12 Noon - 2:00PM	Youth Fishing Tournament
	12:30PM	Horseshoe Tournament
	2:15PM	Youth Fishing Tournament Prizes awarded on Redfish Cup Stage
	2:30PM	Redfish Calling Contest
	3:00-4:30PM	Day 2 Angler Redfish Cup Weigh-in
Sunday, June 1, 2008	6:15AM	Day 3 Take Off
	6:30AM	"Frito Lay" Pro-Am Take Off
	12 Noon	Festival Open Sponsors and Exhibiters Open Oh Boy! Oberto, Crocs, Falcon Rods, ARC Dehooker Boat Show, Car Show, Kid's Crafts, Demonstrations
	1:00-2:00PM	Boy Scouts of America Fishing Tournament
	1:30PM	"Frito Lay" Pro-Am Weigh-in
	2:00PM	Boy Scouts of America Final Weigh–in & Awards
	3:30-4:30PM	Final Weigh–in/Awards Presentation

Texas natives Tim Young and Jason Catchings are happy the community of Port Arthur, Texas pulled out all the stops last August during the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup. But they're even happier the Cup is returning to the same site this year, giving them a chance to defend their win in the Lone Star State, as this year's Port Arthur event marks the second stop on the 2008 tournament circuit.

The Redfish Cup comes back to the Pleasure Island Marina Boardwalk on May 30th through June 1st. The decision to return to Port Arthur was an easy one for Redfish Cup officials: Founded on the western bank of Sabine Lake, Port Arthur boasts a rich history, prime redfish fisheries and big Texas smiles.

The city of Port Arthur has a proud history. During September of 1863, a Confederate company of 40 Irish dock workers defended Sabine Pass from a Union invasion with just six cannons. This spirit of independence among all Texans contributed to the rise of oil barons around the turn of the 20th century. Soon the city became the site of one of the largest oil refineries in the world, and today the oil industry still comprises a large part of the region's economy.

As for the redfishing, some of the most lucrative small ponds, lakes and marshes on tour are less than 30 miles from the launch site. And with the higher slot limit in Texas (28 inches for the top limit), anglers will be looking for those hefty bites.

During last year's action, Young and Catchings found success in water less than 3 feet deep, but this year Florida angler Scott Guthrie is predicting a different approach, especially given the time of year for the tournament.

"There are large schools in deeper water over there, so it means a lot slower presentation in 6 to 10 feet of water," Guthrie said. "It's a lot different really – guys stay close, fish deeper and toss quarter-ounce jig heads and medium soft plastics all day long. And they definitely get bit."

With a large number of Cup competitors hailing from the Texas coast, angler familiarity with these waters is both a blessing and a curse. A "home" angler may be able to identify a school of feasting redfish or find a new hole well off the beaten path. On the other hand, the added pressure and knowledge of multiple, proven spots may frazzle the competitor when fishing the waters he or she knows best.

"We consider this a home venue for us, even though it's 60 miles from Galveston," said Redfish Cup angler Ray Malone of Friendswood, Texas. "And we can always expect lots of fish there, and a really great time. We just hope to do better than the seventh place finish we had last year," Malone said. "We should have won it but we just made a bad decision."

Other than defending champs Young and Catchings and the duo of Loring and Malone, be on the lookout for teammates Robert Scherer from Houston and Blaien Friermood from Baytown, Texas. The duo finished fifth there last year, but won the Kemah event just down the Texas coast. With only one stop in Texas on this year's circuit, every team will be looking to make the most out of the Lone Star State.

View 2008 Results >>