CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Dom Lopez is the luckiest teen in Texas after scoring a prize-winning redfish in the Coastal Conservation Association Texas State of Texas Angler's Rodeo Tournament.
Lopez, 19, was out fishing in Corpus Christi with his grandpa and a friend on Friday when he reeled in a tagged redfish -- the first confirmed catch this year.
Recommended Videos
The first five anglers who catch a tagged redfish that is weighed in and certified win a 2019 Ford F150 “Texas Edition” XLT Super Cab connected to a Haynie 23 Bigfoot with a Mercury 150 L Pro XS Optimax and Coastline Trailer, according to the STAR tournament website.
Apparently this isn't the first tagged redfish catch in Lopez's family but it is the first win.
"When I was 8 years old my father caught a tagged redfish while wade fishing with a friend. Sadly, my dad was not a member and we were not able to receive the truck and boat package," Lopez said.
Only CCA members are eligible for prizes.
Lopez, who plays baseball for Texas A&M Corpus Christi, said he and his father have been members ever since.
After a few redfish catches for Lopez and his grandpa he saw the tag.
"When I saw that tag my whole body just went numb and I slowly netted the fish. It was a feeling I will never forget," Lopez said. "It was an accomplishment of a lifetime. My father and I have talked about it for years and finally, I did it."