By DAVID RAINER, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
A new dock and boardwalk, a new live weigh-in category and a new species for catch and release are among the highlights for the 91st annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (ADSFR), set for July 19-21 at the rodeo site on Dauphin Island.
The new dock and boardwalk will increase the capacity for the number of boats that can be tied up to head to the weigh-in station, and the boardwalk will also provide access to the north side of the rodeo property.
“We added a dock 7 to help alleviate pressure during the busy weigh-in times,” said Matt Glass, ADSFR President. “Also, between docks 1 and 2, we added a platform across that with pilings and stringers to make a huge platform. The reason we did that was to be able to tie up two small boats on the end of the platform or back two big boats into the slips to get to the crane to weigh in your big fish like sharks and billfish. Technically, now you can have four big boats pull in all at once.
“We extended the boardwalk all the way to the edge of the property on the north side to give scientists more room to work. We set some pilings up there so the Sheriff’s Flotilla and the scientists can tie up their boats so they’re not taking up dock space. And the boardwalk gives them easy access to their work area.”
Along with about 4,000 rodeo anglers, marine scientists flock to the ADSFR because of the access to a wide variety of species as well as the larger size of fish that are caught during the competition. Marine scientists will collect a great deal of data during the three-day tournament. Dr. Sean Powers, rodeo judge and head of the University of South Alabama Marine & Environmental Sciences Department, will bring a crew of students and researchers to sample a variety of fish. Dr. Marcus Drymon of Mississippi State University will bring a team to take a samples from the shark species brought to the scales at the rodeo site. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab will also have a crew at the rodeo to assist with the sampling.
One of the new features that will aid marine scientists is the addition of the catch-and-release category for jack crevalle.
“One of our scientists, Dr. Marcus Drymon, was very adamant about it,” Glass said. “He’s been doing a lot of research on it, and he’s working with scientists in south Florida. He thought it would be a good idea. Up here in the northern Gulf, they’re everywhere. They’re using this to learn more about the fish, and we’re always happy to help the scientists.”
In the CCA (Coastal Conservation Association) of Alabama Live Weigh-In Special Awards category, flounder has been added to the species that can be brought to the weigh-in site alive and be entered to win a variety of prizes. Previously, the category allowed only redfish and speckled trout.
“We had several people ask about adding flounder last year,” Glass said. “I talked to the board, and the scientists thought that would be a great idea.”
Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship applauded the evolution of the ADSFR, which has been a part of his life for a long, long time.
“I love the ADSFR,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “Growing up on Dauphin Island and then working for the Alabama Department of Conservation, I have attended or fished in more than half of the 91 rodeos. A lot has changed with the event over those years. I think the ADSFR is in the best place ever with the way the event is done now with a focus on science, conservation and highlighting the great inshore and offshore fishing we have in Alabama.”