Dawn til Dusk

Dawn til Dusk turns Louisiana into your tournament venue, with the entire network of coastal marshes and inland bayous in play for one day of kayak fishing. You choose any public launch within Louisiana’s legal waters and fish where you want, from quiet marsh drains to high-traffic bayous. The format is catch, photo, and submit through the TourneyX app, so the day rewards planning, mobility, and the discipline to hunt for your best water instead of following a crowd.

You fish from first light to evening with official lines in at 5:30 AM and lines out at 8:30 PM, and every fish lives or dies by your photo and your upload time. With no central weigh in, the leaderboard updates throughout the day on your phone, keeping you connected to the field while you stay committed to your chosen shoreline. Your target is the Cajun Slam, one redfish (under 30 inches), one speckled trout, and one flounder, with a digital finish as final submissions land before the dusk cutoff and winners are announced online.

Expect a serious, self-directed day that suits solo anglers and groups who like to compare notes while fishing separate water. Many participants trade rigging tips and launch intel through local communities such as the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club, and optional calcuttas often include longest trout (Mule Trout) and longest flounder (Saddle Flounder). Only paddle, pedal, or pole-propelled craft are permitted in the standard division, with gas engines and trolling motors prohibited.

Plan like you are guiding yourself: arrive at your launch at least 30 minutes before first light, confirm your registration and app access several days ahead, and test your white navigation light for the pre-dawn start and the late return. Keep your measuring board clean with clearly visible numbers to avoid scoring issues, and pack enough water, sunscreen, and food for a long day on open water. Since the event is statewide, popular home bases include Grand Isle, Cocodrie, and the Lake Pontchartrain area, and you can search fishing camps and rentals via Lake.com. Entry is typically about $50, the event runs rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe, and minors can fish with a signed release from a parent or legal guardian.