General Information Overview

​

An overall view, general information, prizes and awards, fish, fishing waters, and more for the annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo at Gulfport Harbor, Mississippi.

Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, Inc.

(A Non-Profit Corporation)

P.O. Box 3957 - Gulfport, Mississippi 39505-3957

Domain Name: www.mississippideepseafishingrodeo.com

Email mdsfr1947@yahoo.com

 

Rodeo Dates

The dates for the 75th Annual Rodeo will be July 4 - July 7, 2024. Fishing begins July 1, 2023 12:01am Scales open at 12:00pm These dates are when all species of fish are running and sport fishing is at its best.

 

Admission

Gates open at 12 noon and close at 10:30pm. Gate admission is $5 per adult person from 12-2pm good for all day entry, from 2pm till closing it is $10. 4 day arm bands available the first day $20 for whole event all 4 days, Children, ages 5 and under, are admitted free. Carnival Rides vary in price

 

Registration

All Registrations are now done on site at the Rodeo, Jones Park Gulfport at the time you bring in your fish.. Individual registration is free but there is a Rodeo entrance fee of $5 when entering a fish. All sport fishermen and fisher women, fishing from pleasure craft, yachts or charter boats, must be registered contestants except, of course, the hired members of the crew. Scales open at 12:00pm and close at 6pm on all days except the final day. On the final day, the scales open at 12:00pm and close at 4pm.

 

 

Kids Fishing Rodeo

Registration is not required for contestants entered in the Junior Fishing Rodeo. However, contestants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. See the Official Rules for additional information.

 

 

Waters

The official Rodeo Fishing waters are anywhere in the Mississippi Sound or the Gulf of Mexico. For freshwater fishing...anywhere in the bays, bayous, rivers, creeks, lakes or ponds. All fish must be caught with conventional tackle and in a sportsman like manner.

 

Boats

Contestants may harbor their boats at any pier, and may transport their catches to Rodeo Headquarters by any means of transportation.

All fish entries became the property of the Rodeo.

 

Saltwater Division

Barracuda, Black Drum, Blackfish, Bonita, Flounder, Gar, Gray snapper, Grouper, Jack Crevalle, King Mackerel, Lemon Fish, Redfish, Shark, Spanish Mackerel, Speckled Trout, Stingray Dolphin, Red Snapper, Tuna, Whahoo

 

Fresh Water Division

Bream, Catfish, Crappie, Green Trout and Striped Bass . Freshwater fish catches must have been in accordance with the Mississippi law limits.

 

Regular Rodeo Start & Ending Times

Competitive fishing starts anytime after 12:01am on the morning of the first day, and ends at 4pm on the final day of the Rodeo. Fishing craft may be on location ready for fishing or have left their berths at fisherman's pleasure. Scales open at 12:00pm and close at 6pm on all days except the final day. On the final day, the scales open at 12:00pm and close at 4pm.

 

Weigh Master

All fish must be checked by the Weigh Master before 6pm daily, but before 4pm on the final day. Scales open at 12:00pm and close at 6pm on all days except the final day. On the final day, the scales open at 12:00pm and close at 4pm. Fish may be held over from one day to the next if late getting to the Weight Master. Fish held over must have been kept in good condition and are subject to inspection. Under no circumstances will frozen fish, or fish that have been frozen, be accepted.

 

Conclusion

"Old-timers" on the Gulf Coast say that a sportsman can fish every day for a year without having to fish twice in the same choice spot. The Mississippi Coast offers over 65 fishing camps, all situated at favored fishing sites with many excellent fishing spots nearby. Many of the camps offer every facility for the sport fisherman including bait, fishing tackle, boats (with or without motors), refreshments, and detailed information as to where to fish. Information about fishing camp locations is usually available from the Chamber of Commerce of any Mississippi Gulf Coast city, or any local sporting goods store.

 

The Gulf of Mexico offers a thrilling adventure for the sportsman who wants to tackle the big ones, and the spacious Mississippi Sound is for those who like saltwater fishing at its best. For the fresh-water fisherman...the Coast offers three bays where fresh and saltwater fish are often caught from the same spot with the same tackle, offering a unique experience...plus over 1,500 miles of shoreline on bays, lazy bayous, rivers, creeks and lakes.