91st ADSFR Adds Dock Space, New Categories

The red snapper category and Craneworks Red Snapper Jackpot are pretty much locks right now with the projections from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Marine Resources Division (MRD). Snapper Check data indicate there will be plenty of red snapper quota remaining for the rodeo. The 2024 catch limit is 659,654 pounds. As of June 17, MRD's data showed that the harvest had not reached the 200,000-pound mark.

"It's looking really good for red snapper," Glass said. "Harvest numbers right now are low, so the statistics show we will absolutely have the red snapper. It's a huge part of the rodeo."

Ticket holders who weigh in a legal fish in the 91st rodeo will be eligible for more than $450,000 in cash and prizes, including a Contender 25 bay boat with a Yamaha 250-horsepower outboard. The winner of the boat-motor package will be selected in a random drawing from all participants who weigh in a legal fish or enter a legal fish in the catch-and-release categories during the tournament. Your chances of winning the top prize packages are the same if you catch a 14-inch ladyfish in the surf along the Alabama Gulf Coast or haul in a huge billfish from the Gulf of Mexico.

The ADSFR started as a tarpon tournament in 1929, long before a bridge allowed easy access to the island, with 250 anglers. With only a break during World War II, the rodeo has grown exponentially and was designated the world's largest saltwater fishing tournament by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011. This year's rodeo is expected to draw about 4,000 anglers from all across the nation.

One aspect of the ADSFR that has also grown exponentially is the sale of rodeo t-shirts. Despite having a multiple-window t-shirt sales booth, the line waiting for t-shirts has gotten longer and longer each year. To alleviate some of the wait for t-shirts for the anglers who come to the rodeo site by boat, the rodeo is receiving help this year from one of its sponsors to sell t-shirts near the weigh dock.

"One of our sponsors, Almost Home Portable Buildings, donated a building, and we're going to use it as a dock t-shirt booth," Glass said. "We're placing the building near the crane so that anyone who is coming by boat can get their t-shirts there and won't have to get in line at the other booth.

"One of the great things about being president is I got to design the artwork for the t-shirt. Everybody loves our t-shirts, and everybody wants this year's edition. It was awesome to work with local artist Brandon Finnorn to design this year's t-shirt."

One of the highlights of last year's rodeo was the state record tiger shark of 1,019 pounds, caught by Brett Rutledge. This year's rodeo will again feature shark categories for tiger shark and bull shark. Each shark weighed must be at least 80 inches, measured from the tip of the snout to the fork in the tail. The Gulf Hauling and Construction Shark Jackpot will also be divided into individual species.

The South Response Services King Mackerel Jackpot, Yamaha Motors Speckled Trout Jackpot and the Meadow Electric Big Game Jackpot are also available. Regular rodeo categories include 15 inshore species and 18 offshore species. Each category has a minimum size. Go to https://adsfr.com/rodeo-rules/ to find the rodeo species and minimum sizes.

As usual, the Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament will be held the Saturday (July 13) prior to the ADSFR and is available to anglers 15 years old and younger.

A project of the Mobile Jaycees, the ADSFR kicks off on Thursday, July 18, with the Captain T-Bone's Liars Contest, followed by three days of fishing competition. The big rodeo opens with a cannon blast at 5 a.m. on Friday, July 19. The ADSFR closes with another cannon blast at 5 p.m. on July 21.

ADSFR and Roy Martin tickets can be purchased at www.fishingchaos.com. All ADSFR tickets must be purchased before the rodeo starts, but tickets for the Roy Martin tournament can be purchased when you get to the rodeo site with your fish.

"We're excited and getting ready for the rodeo," Glass said. "It's getting here fast with the Fourth of July coming up. We'll have one more work weekend and then the Roy Martin rodeo."

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