Anglers hit the Dauphin Island coast for 91st annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Friday wrapped up the first day of anglers fishing off Dauphin Island hoping to reel in a prized catch.

Big fish, small fish, redfish, and even a “big black fish” all pulled out of the gulf for the 91st annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.

The rodeo had an estimated 4,000 anglers ready to compete!

“So the last numbers I checked, we had representatives from 24 states angler-wise and a few from the United Kingdom and Canada,” Tommy McNicoll with the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo said.

And the anglers this year are competing for cash prizes and a chance to win a boat!

“So, we’re actually giving away two boats this year,” Chase Farley with the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo explained. “One is the contender bait, which we got to weigh a fish in our 33 categories, and then we’re giving away the Reaper 17-foot boat.”

And so far, the anglers are optimistic about their catches.

“Feeling pretty good today; really pretty good for today,” one angler said. “Especially with the weather.”

An angler who’s feeling extremely optimistic is Derek Rogers who caught a bull shark weighing 432 pounds!

“We knew it was big,” Rogers said. “We didn’t know how big it was, but we knew it was a—It was a good one.”

Aside from friendly competition, the anglers said it’s the love for fishing that keeps them coming back each year.

“It’s always a family event,” one angler said. “My brother’s been fishing with me, my dad, my nephews this year, always a family trip, always fun.”

The 91st annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo will continue through Sunday evening.

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