Bo’s Boat for the Solo Tour Kick Off
Bo Favre has stacked the trophies up since 2015 on the Elite Redfish Series regardless of what boat, motor, rod or reel he has used. In 2022 the Elite Redfish Series became the first and only professional series to add tower boats to the list of rigs not allowed for use during official practice and competition periods. Air boats, duck boats, extended prop drives, offshore boats, multiple engine and other significantly customized or non normal bay, inshore and flats boats that offer some competitors a distinct advantage over others in the field are no longer allowed.
The Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship showed us and millions of viewers last November in Port Aransas Texas the competition is more exciting to watch and obviously more fair when all competitors fish from the same or similar type rigs.
The opinions have been loud and passionate on one side of the argument with the other side allowing their fishing to do the talking. Bo Favre is one that can see both sides of the issue as he is one of the few that owns both a tower and a bay boat. “I don’t care if we are fishing from a jon boat, I want to compete and prove I am one of the best in our sport.” ~Favre
With the Solo Tour kicking off this past weekend and Bo’s new Mamba boat not ready for delivery until March he contacted a friend and asked to borrow his Gator Tough 20 so he would not miss the big event at Family Gras in Metairie Louisiana. Day 1 did not go Bo’s way, a north wind pushed all the water out of the marsh and even left canals high and dry which is where Bo spent the major part of his day 1. Without the advantage of an air boat or tower boat to run super shallow Bo spent very little time on day 1 actually fishing and zero’d.
Bo lands best limit of day 2…
Bo lands a top 5 finish out of a borrowed boat while waiting for his new boat to be delivered…
Day 2 started out similarly but Bo didn’t quit, looking for shorelines that held enough water to float and fish that he could boat Bo once again found himself running out of time when at 12:30 he still had zero fish on a time shortened day due to festival scheduling.
“I thought I better head back to the ramp and get ready to go in but within eyesight of the ramp I saw a shoreline that looked favorable so I put the trolling motor in the water and decided to give it a quick look, I saw fish everywhere. I was within spittin’ distance of the ramp.”
Bo quickly boated 4 fish, culled 2 and began the 2 hour drive back to the Family Gras Festival grounds in Metairie. What came next was remarkable. After zeroing on day 1, Bo weighed in the heaviest limit on day 2, 15.35 pounds and landed in 5th place making the big stage presentation in front of the thousands in attendance.
“What a tournament, I never quit, I know how fast it can happen with redfish when they turn on.” Bo told the crowd.
We are changing things BACK to what they used to be in redfishing and if there is 10-12-15 or 50 that want to help make that happen we are thrilled to have the best of the best ANGLERS, like Bo and others along for the ride. The term best of the best does not apply to anyone in any sport or activity that can only reach the top of their field under a single set of circumstances, techniques and/or equipment. The best of the best are those that make it to the top by showing up and competing regardless of the rules, regulations or equipment as long as they are the same for the rest of the field without favor, and that defines Bo!
It wasn’t long ago that specialized and custom manufactured creations to normal bay and flats boats along with the techniques they make possible to be used were not prevalent in our sport and for reasons of conservation, more level playing fields and the overall image of the sport we are working to return to a time when the focus was sharply on angling and not super specialized equipment and/or techniques that equipment allows.
Congratulations Bo and all of the other anglers this season on your courage to do what many fear and that is trust your fishing abilities and be willing to compete under any set of guidelines, rules and procedures as long as they are the same for the entire field. Also, for the many emails, calls and text messages from current and past anglers and those behind the scenes for your support. Thank you as we look forward to you joining us soon. We feel with 2 events so far in the young 2022 season producing 2 first time winners, we are on the right track and we are thrilled so many agree.
2016 Bo joins the Elite Redfish Series…
Bo wins the Cayce Seal Benefit in Bay St. Louis…
Bo’s 2021 rig…
Bo’s tower boat, stowed for Elite events…