Fishing Rodeo reels in final catches

DAUPHIN ISLAND - With the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo on Dauphin Island wrapping up Sunday, anglers brought in some of their best catches yet.

Early in the morning, officials were already getting excited about Sunday’s rodeo with a yellow fin tuna breaking a rodeo record.

“We finally got some great weather today, and the fish have really come in, we had over a 180 lbs yellow fin tuna come in early this morning and several nice sharks,” said rodeo spokesperson Gene Fox.

Shortly after 3 p.m., officials said anglers hooked a 479 lbs tiger shark. On that same boat, 12-year-old Dalton Taylor said he  reeled a shark in weighing at least 100 lbs.  

“I wasn’t ready for one that big. I was trying to catch smaller ones and the next thing you know. I reel that up so it took about 35 minuets,” Taylor said. “I was hoping it would be 300 lbs so I would get second or third place, so I got a little excited. ”

Ernie Patrick said just getting a catch into the boat is half the fun.

“You try to keep your feet in the boat and not get pulled overboard but you try to get him in before the sharks get after him,” Patrick said.  

“We caught a little bit of everything. We got a big king mackerel, a big gag grouper, a yellow fin tuna, it’s just a big mixed bag,” a rodeo participant said.

Officials said the weather, crowd and catches were a great way to wrap up this years rodeo.

There are 30 categories with prizes for the first, second and third place winners.

The award ceremony for the winners is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Battleship Park.