Travis Puls Jr. placed second in the 2025 Ride the Bull redfish rodeo in Grand Isle, Louisiana, but the 18-year-old angler is the first to actually ride his winning redfish across the finish line. Travis’ father, Travis Sr., shares the story.
Ride the Bull, Literally
“It was our first time fishing the tournament,” he starts. The pair had fished southern Louisiana before, so they were excited about joining 260 other anglers in the country’s biggest redfish tournament. Puls picks up the story, “I had just caught a big redfish when Travis shouted that he was hooked up.” The elder Puls released his redfish and moved in to assist his son. “The fish wrapped Travis’ line around the anchor rope, so he stood up in the kayak to free the line.” That’s when the young angler lost balance and joined the redfish in the water.
“‘I’m fine,’ he yelled, ‘I’ve still got the fish!’” his father says. Travis floated in his life vest while an audience of anglers surrounded him, so he continued to fight the fish while treading water. “The drum dragged him around for 20 minutes before tiring out,” Puls says. Once the fish was under control, Puls Jr. climbed back into the kayak and landed the drum. The fish weighed 27.7 pounds, taking second place in the tournament. Despite the wild ride, the father-son team is excited about the 2026 tournament. “We can’t wait,” Dad says.
Hold on for eight seconds. | Feature photo: Travis Puls Sr.
