No red snapper and no running in each day to accumulate points in the Runabout Division are the only changes in the format for the 50th annual Kay-Cee Saltwater Fishing Rodeo.

The actions were necessitated by law and by common sense, respectively, as fishing rodeo officials plan for the three-day holiday weekend event that starts Aug. 30 and ends Labor Day Monday at Cypremort Point.

The recreational harvest for red snapper ended in state and federal waters Aug. 5. That closure effectively knocks out one of the species in two divisions, Runabout and Offshore.

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Also, with fuel prices so high, the chase for Runabout Division individual and boat captain titles could be cost prohibitive for participants if points were accumulated daily by fishermen weighing in at fishing rodeo headquarters, Quintana Canal. The titles will be decided on the third and last day as they are in the Offshore Division.

“We’re not making them come in every day this year,” said veteran fishing rodeo chairman Ronnie Boudreaux, who outlined those changes last week as he and fellow Knights of Columbus Council 3425 members, along with members of Knights of Columbus Council 10902 in Lydia, put the final touches on preparations for the fundraising event. The decision was made in April, long before fuel prices skyrocketed, he said.

Boudreaux, 65, has been a part of the Kay-Cee fishing rodeos for nearly 50 years. He looks forward to the fast-approaching event, a golden one, for sure.

“It’s our 50th year. We thank the people for supporting us for 50 years. Come out and see us,” he said.

Boudreaux said he is hopeful the high cost of fuel won’t deter saltwater fishermen.

“I hope I’m wrong but the gas (issue) is going to be bad. That’s why we’re going back to the end of the rodeo (for the Runabout Division). We have to do something for those fishermen not to have to spend that kind of money. That’s the only way we could think of for them not to spend that kind of money and still have a rodeo. And the fishermen wanted a rodeo, so we’re going to do what they ask us,” he said.

On the huge plus side, fishing success has been good and getting better each week, he said.

“I have heard that it was good, if you can get around the showers. Before the showers it was pretty good. They were catching some nice-sized specks,” he said. “I don’t believe the showers can mess them up that much. If you can get around the showers, it ought to be good.”

Boudreaux, who will be assisted by co-chairmain Henry Jumonville of Knights of Columbus Council 10902, said there are some special gifts for youngsters participating in the Children’s Division. He said one fishing rod and reel combination will be given away each day thanks to the sponsorship of Hardy Floors owner Davey Landry.

“It’s some nice rod and reels. He came up with that idea and we took him up on it,” he said.

Also, Boudreaux said, the major raffle prize will be a Pro-Drive-powered boat from “the Provost boys out of Loreauville. They’re rigging it up.”

DON SHOOPMAN is outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.