MERCEDES — Rene Munoz made plans to attend the annual Lions Club Fishing Tournament, and his daughter Daniela was not going to miss out on all the fun.
Early on a recent, fresh, windy Saturday morning, the two of them headed out to the south side of town to find a good fishing spot on the banks of the canal.
They hooked their bait and cast their fishing line and waited for their bobber’s to sink.
The two enjoy fishing together and it was their first time at the local tournament.
And not even an hour into the contest Daniela reeled in an 11-inch catfish and took it to the judges on the hook to be measured and weighed.
But, they were not the only family enjoying their morning using stinky bait to catch a big fish in the choppy water.
Mercedes resident Chris Moscorro, 14, has been participating in the fishing contest for more than three years with his family.
Last year he said he won in the category for weirdest catch after he pulled in a turtle and took it to the judges to mark.
He said over the course of the year he comes to the canal to practice to find the perfect spot to catch a good fish before the tournament.
Chris attended the event with his brother and father.
“Families who love to go fishing come year after year,” said Sylvia Carlin, a Mercedes Lions Club member. “This is one of our largest activities.”
The Mercedes Lions Club has been hosting its annual Fishing Contest and Chupacabra race for more then 10 years.
The Chupacabra race is a raffle the club announces after the fishing tournament. It offers many prizes to those who purchased tickets to help support the club. More than 60 prizes were passed out this year.
The event was organized by the club to coincide with the many activities that took place in 2007 when the city was celebrating it centennial.
The club chapter formed in Mercedes in 1945.
“Our number one mission is to help children regain their eye-sight,” Carlin said.
Youth Contest Winners
For longest catch
Aaron Mascorro 12.25 inches
Gene Castaneda 11.5 inches
Daniela Munoz 11 inches
Adult Contest Winners
For longest catch
Jose Martinez 10.75 inches
Eleazar Castaneda 10.25 inches
Michael Loya 9 inches
Youth Contest Winners
For heaviest catch
Aaron Mascorro 1.03 lbs
Rey Mascorro .67
Jose Garcia .57
Adult Contest Winners
For heaviest catch
Michael Loya 2.22 lbs
Jesus Marcado .37
Michael Loya .22
