Trade in the cowboy boots for a rod and reel this July during the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo on Dauphin Island.
This exciting event is the largest fishing tournament in the world and was founded in 1929. It now attracts approximately 75,000 spectators and 3,000 anglers, with an awards package that is valued at up to $1 million.
The fishing rodeo, a multi-day contest where anglers get to show off their skills in various fishing events, is a must-see event for families staying at vacation rentals on Dauphin Island.
Whether you’re an angler or just coming to watch, this is one of the best things to do on Dauphin Island this summer. Below is a guide to the 2018 Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.
Competing at the Deep Sea Rodeo
The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is the summer’s biggest fishing tournament and without a doubt one of the wildest events on the Gulf Coast. Anglers come from all over the world to take on the swimmers of the Gulf of Mexico.
The open competition is the rodeo’s main event. It encompasses a long list of allowed species and is subject to minimum fish size rules.
Other contests fall under it, such as the King Mackerel Jackpot and the Raymarine Big Game Jackpot. Both focus predominantly on the size of the catch; the Mackerel Jackpot is species-specific, while the Big Game Jackpot includes a variety of species.
The Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament is an event for kids under 16, and also has minimum length requirements and types of fish. Unlike the adult categories, tickets for the Young Anglers Tournament can be purchased at the dock.
Every fishing tournament has its own set of rules and stipulations. The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is a three-day Captain’s Choice tournament, meaning that the rodeo rules are determined by local captains, the organization president, and the rules committee chairman. You can find a detailed list of the rodeo rules for 2018 on the tournament website.
Dates & Registration
This year is the 85th annual rodeo, and it will take place over a mid-summer weekend from July 20 to 22. Registration is expected to open June 18. All adult categories require pre-registration, and all ages of both spectators and anglers are allowed.
Prizes and Prices
There will prizes for about 30 categories. Placing depends on a variety of factors including catch weight, length and quantity for King Mackerel, Speckled Trout, and other big game catches. In most cases, prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third places.
The open tournament costs $50 per competing angler. If you want to participate in species and size-specific jackpots, you will pay between $200 and $250. The Speckled Trout jackpot is only $35 per angle. The Young Anglers Tournament costs just $5.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online, as well as in-person through a number of local retailers, including Blue Water Ships, Academy, J&M Tackle, and Fins Bar. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the local fishing culture of Dauphin Island and learn a little about the area to get an edge on the competition.
The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is a blast, and one of the most exhilarating things to do if you find yourself on Dauphin Island in the heart of the summer.
Contact us at (251)-861-3311 for information on the available vacation rentals on Dauphin Island to experience all of the fun as a participant or spectator. Win or lose, you’ll have a comfortable place to rest your head after a day of tough competition.
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