STILLWATER, Okla. —
Corn is usually on the menu of any Fourth of July celebration.
It was Evan and Rebecca Cartabiano’s secret weapon Wednesday morning at the Boomer Blast fishing tournament at Boomer Lake.
“It’s my secret bait,” Evan Cartabiano said. It worked well enough for the Cartabianos to capture third place in non-boating division. The couple caught 5.2 pounds of fish in less than four hours.
Evan Cartabiano said he enjoys carp fishing and carp usually can’t resist corn pulled straight from the can and threaded onto the hook.
Wednesday, the carp in Boomer Lake ignored his secret weapon, but the catfish didn’t.
“Catfish like corn more than carp do,” he said.
Tournament director Brad Eads said 38 teams participated in the 15th-annual Boomer Blast fishing tournament.
“It went well,” Eads said. “We’ve had as many as 56 teams, but it depends on what day of the week the Fourth falls on.”
The tournament is family-oriented, Eads said. It’s run like a bass tournament. Anglers submit up to five of their largest fish at weigh-in. The only difference is any fish species counts on Independence Day.
Prizes are awarded to the top teams in the boating and non-boating divisions.
“It’s just a fun time for families,” Eads said, adding the tournament relies on its sponsors for funding and prizes.
Evan Cartabiano said his wife learned about the tournament on Facebook, and they decided to enter.
“I love to fish for anything,” he said. “It was something fun to do in the morning on the Fourth of July.”
Boomer Blast Fishing Tournament Winners
Team competition
Non-boat division
1. Jeff, Tim, Cam and Hayley Sweeden, 9.3 pounds
2. Jacob Presswood, Jacob Ellis, Hom Acharya and Purga KC
3. Evan and Rebecca Cartabiano
Boat division
1. Brian, Earl and Nash Frazier, 9.7 pounds
2. Kyle, Brenda, Bruce and Jeannie Brando
3. Charlie Vasso
Largest fish
Youth division
Nash Frazier, 2.13 pound channel catfish
Adult division
Charlie Vasso, 3.15 pound black bass
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