Two-time defending Angler(s) of the Year winners in the Southcentral Fishing Association start defense of their titles March 16.

Maybe? Perhaps? Probably? Mother Nature may have something to say about weather, er, whether the scheduled SFA opener happens or not this coming Saturday morning. Keo Khamphilavong, Craig Landry and Randy Migues will be ready, nevertheless.

SFA director Brooks Amy of Broussard, formerly of New Iberia, said all eyes are on the weather forecast in the days leading up to the first tournament of the year out of Quintana Canal Landing, Cypremort Point.

“The only thing I know is weather is not favorable for this weekend,” Amy said at mid-morning March 12, basing his report on weather forecasts at the beginning of the week showing high rain chances for Saturday.

“We’re going to make a decision Friday morning. If it looks like it’s going to be a little better, we may make a decision at the landing Saturday morning. We’re going to keep an eye on it. If it comes down to 30-, 40-percent, we may just make a decision at the landing.”

However, each succeeding forecast since he was contacted has been more favorable. The National Weather Service forecast for this area at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday showed a 50-percent rain chance Friday, 30-percent rain chance Friday night and a 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 p.m. Saturday, with 5-15 mph easterly winds. It goes back up to 50-percent Saturday night.

And if it comes right down to it, Amy said with a chuckle, “We may just fish in the rain, you never know.”

The 44-year-old owner of Overhead Doors Co. has high hopes that participation increases this year after tailing off last year when seven boats fished one of the regular-season tournaments and seven boats competed in the SFA Classic.

“I’m hoping for at least 15-plus boats,” Amy said a few weeks ago.

Entry fee per boat, with a maximum of five members on board, is $100. Registration will be held the morning before each tournament and ends at 5:50 a.m. Tournament hours for the season opener are 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

SFA’s second tournament this year is scheduled to be held April 27. The third tournament is set for May 18, followed by the SFA Classic on June 22.

The goal this past offseason was to refocus and attract more SFA members in 2024. Cutting the number of tournaments from five to four was one of the steps taken for the upcoming season hoping to spark more interest.

“That’s kind of what we’re aiming for. We’ll finish up (in June). Then we’ve got the Fourth of July (Iberia Rod & Gun Club Saltwater Fishing Rodeo) and St. Thomas More (Fishing Rodeo),” Amy said recently.

Amy’s crew aboard the Fish Karma, a 24-foot Blue Wave, his father, Perry Scott, and their fishing buddy, Jacob Fisher, finished 2023 on a high note by winning the SFA Classic. Their two “slot” redfish weighed 11.05 pounds.

Khamphilavong, Landry and Migues sewed up their second straight AOY title last year by winning three regular-season tournaments. But once again the SFA Classic title eluded the anglers who won AOY.

They fished in a backup aluminum boat because Khamphilavong’s 24-foot Blazer Bay encountered mechanical problems while prefishing for the SFA Classic.