Shane Guidry wields enormous power for a private citizen as Gov. Jeff Landry’s behind-the-scenes power broker on matters large and small in metro New Orleans.
He’s played a key role in negotiating a new lease for the Saints to play at the Caesars Superdome for at least the next 10 years, a deal that is expected to be announced any day.
Guidry is also the majority owner of Harvey Gulf International Marine, a billion-dollar business that has 50 transport vessels delivering construction materials, food, fuel and drilling materials to offshore platforms.
But as anyone who follows his Team Harvey Instagram feed knows, Guidry’s true passion is deep-sea fishing. And he takes it very seriously.
Guidry is feeling pretty good these days because he emerged as the top angler earlier this month at the final tournament of the season sponsored by Marlin Magazine. The event took place at Scrub Island in the British Virgin Islands.
Guidry caught and reeled in the most blue marlin among the 13 boats competing. He was aboard his 82-foot Viking sport fishing yacht. In all, he caught 13 of the giant fish. Under the rules, he released all of them.
Team Harvey has five other men on the boat performing various roles, including changing the bait and looking for fish on underwater sonar.
“When the fish bites, I grab the rod and reel, and I fight the fish,” Guidry said. “You have to video that you grabbed that rod, got in the chair, caught the fish and brought it in yourself.”
Team Harvey won a $65,000 prize. And his performance means that Guidry and Team Harvey will be able to participate at the Rolex Championship in Costa Rica in April, a competition of the top 30 teams worldwide.
Noting that the angler reels in the big fish, Guidry said he returned to that role after losing 70 pounds.
“It ain’t easy to fight those fish,” said Guidry, 55. “I didn’t want to be the reason why we lost. Now I’m back in good physical shape.”