Dauphin Island, Ala. — (OBA) — Dauphin Island is preparing for one of the largest saltwater fishing tournaments in the world as the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo returns for its 92nd year. Organizers expect thousands of anglers and spectators to take part in the event from July 17 to July 20. Crowds often reach 100,000 over the weekend, drawn by the fishing, food, merchandise and weigh-ins. This long-running tournament began in 1929 as a tarpon contest and has since become a Gulf Coast tradition.
The rodeo is run by the Mobile Jaycees and features three days of fishing, beginning with the popular Captain T-Bone’s Liars Contest on Thursday night. Fishing officially begins at 5 a.m. Friday, July 18, with a cannon blast and ends at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. The Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament for kids 15 and under will take place Saturday, July 12. Tickets for the Roy Martin event can be purchased on-site, but main rodeo tickets must be bought before the competition starts.
Anglers will compete for nearly $1 million in prizes, including a new Contender 26Bay boat powered by a Yamaha 250-horsepower outboard. The grand prize will be awarded by random drawing to any angler who weighs a legal fish, no matter the size or species. Another drawing will award a 17-foot Reaper aluminum boat in the Yamaha Speckled Trout Jackpot…