ADSFR Celebrating 90th, Expects Large Turnout

Officials with the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (ADSFR) are expecting big numbers for the rodeo’s 90th anniversary celebration on July 20-23 at the rodeo site on Dauphin Island, Outdoor Alabama reports. In what started as basically a tarpon tournament in 1929, the initial group numbered only 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. Now, the event sees 4,000 anglers who participate yearly, with more than 120 sponsors. The rodeo is a project of the Mobile Jaycees, and the four-day event begins with the Captain T-Bone’s Liars Contest on the night of July 20, followed by three days of fishing competition. Participants will compete for more than $450,000 in cash and prizes, including a Contender 25 bay boat with a Yamaha 250-horsepower outboard engine. New this year is another random drawing for a generator package from Meadows Electric valued at $10,000. Those who weigh in a legal fish will be entered. The Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament will be held July 15, prior to the ADSFR, and is available to anglers 15 years old and younger.