LASTING LEGACY—Southeastern President Randy Moffett, left, meets with family and friends of the late Jason Thompson to help mark the establishment of the Jason Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund at SLU. Joining Moffett to mark the first payout from the scholarship fund are, from left, Timmy Breaud, Jason's sister Courtney Thompson, former fraternity brother and friend Nick Guth, and standing in back, family friend Paul Jones.

MANCHAC-There's a spirit about the Jason Thompson Memorial Bass Tournament that transcends fishing.

The tournament, which goes off for the fifth consecutive year this Saturday at North Pass Landing in Manchac, is as much of a memorial social outing as it is a bass fishing competition.

But it's a great bass competition, to be sure. Anglers will be competing for a $500 first prize, with payouts to the top ten finishing teams, plus $100 for the single biggest bass.

But if that's all there was to it, it wouldn't be what it's come to be, said tournament organizer Timmy Breaud, a self-described "Holy Ghost kindergarten through college" best friend of the late Thompson.

First and foremost is the camaraderie - but not far behind is the Jason Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Southeastern, which cleared a significant milestone with last year's event, Breaud said.

"We do it in remembrance of Jason, and then we have the scholarship, which is a good cause," Breaud said. "It brings everybody together, all his friends, and it's a good cause and somebody benefits off of it.

"We actually reached our goal last year, which was $10,000 (in the scholarship fund) and that was a big accomplishment for us," Breaud said. "We were able to set up a scholarship, and that's what our goal was.

"From here on out we just want to keep putting forth funds toward the scholarship and keep it going. The bigger it gets, the better. Hopefully someday we'll be able to pay for somebody's full tuition."

Toward that end, all hands are pitching in - and inviting more hands to pitch in. Dozens of area businesses have donated door prizes of merchandise, restaurant gift cards and free business services.

And everyone is invited to come out and claim a chance to win - anglers and non-anglers alike.

"It's not just a fishing tournament," Breaud said. "It's more or less a gathering and get-together, and of course we do have the fishing tournament. The guys enjoy themselves fishing, but it's not just that. We enjoy our time out there and it's a great time and we invite everyone to come out. They don't actually have to be a fisherman to enjoy it."

If you do want to fish, the entry fee is $50 per angler. Fishing hours are from first safe light to the 3 p.m. weigh-in deadline. And if you need an entry form or want to register, you can go by Thompson Tackle & Hunting Supplies in Ponchatoula or call Danny Paul at (985) 386-5353. Information can also be obtained from Bryan Wolfe at (985) 929-3229 or Rodney Teel at (985) 502-0494.

One of the most gratifying problems Breaud has had in recent years is giving prize money away to the winners. It's sometimes harder than you think.

"We've had in the past where fishermen have won prize money and they've donated it right back to the fund, which is great," Breaud said. "It just goes to show you the guys are not just out there to make money from it. Everyone's out there for the same reason. We've got some great guys that come out there fishing."