Tiger shark the biggest so far at rodeo

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) - Anglers were reeling in some big catches on Friday, which was day one of the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.

Gene Fox, with the rodeo, said it's already off to a good start.

“We saw mostly inshore fish, speckled trout, and late this afternoon we had three sharks come in,” Fox said.

Two bullsharks came in within minutes of each other. They each weighed close to 200 pounds.

They were contenders in the shark category until the "Rock Lobster" pulled into the dock.

Jeremy Powers pulled in a tiger shark that had the crowd in awe.

“It's just exciting. There ain't nothing to describe pulling in a big shark like that, something you have to experience for yourself," Powers explained.

Powers said it only took 30 minutes to reel in.

“This one worked out, it wasn’t a long fight,” said Powers.

Powers' shark weighed in at 269 pounds, which is certainly in the running for the shark category.

But Powers and the "Rock Lobster" will be back out Saturday, going for bigger fish.

"We're going to keep fishing. We have two more days. We're going to try and get some of these other guys on the boat some fish try and take first, second and third [place],” said Powers.

If Powers takes the shark category in 2012, it will be his third title at the rodeo.