• Registration is free on site at weigh in. Each angler is required to fill out a separate entry form to participate. 

• By registering you have read and agreed to all the rules of the Rodeo and therefore will be eligible for prizes. 

• All fishing shall begin at 12:01 AM on July 1st (Rodeo Day 1) and end at 4:00 PM July 4th (Rodeo Day 4). All fish must be caught during the specified dates and times of the tournament. 

• All fish must be weighed in on a date they are caught in lieu of if caught the night before or after closing of the scales. 

• Scales open Thursday – Saturday July 1st 2nd 3rd from 12:00 Noon and close 6:00 PM. On Sunday July 4th scales are open from 12:00 Noon and close at 4:00 PM. Contestants must be in line and documented by closing time, NO EXCEPTIONS. Closure of scales will be announced by Weigh Master. 

• Contestants may fish from any port, pier, or marine craft and transport their catch to the scales by any means of transportation. Under no circumstances will fish that have been frozen by any means be accepted.  

• All fish must be caught on a ROD and REEL only (with exception of FLOUNDER) Fish caught by bicycle rigs, spears, gigs, traps, nets, harpooned, loaded or any other entangling device will be disqualified. Any fish intentionally caught by snagging of foul hooking, improperly gaffed, gutted, cast/gill/shrimp netted, caged, boxed/slat trapped, or mutilated will not be accepted for entry.  

• All fish entering the rodeo property will become property of the MSDSFR and placed on public display throughout the event for as long as determined by rodeo staff. 

• Saltwater species may be taken anywhere in the Mississippi Sound, or the  Gulf and freshwater species may be taken in any river, stream, lake, bayou or pond. 

• Each angler must possess the proper as required SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE and/or a FRESHWATER FISHING LICENSE, and all state FISHING REGULATIONS of size and creel limits must be observed. Please do not bring in an illegal fish to weigh in, PLEASE MEASURE TWICE. 

• If your species require a special permit, it is the angler’s sole responsibility to obtain such permit. You must register for your “Mississippi Reef Permit” if your entry requires it, to include Cobia, along with your current “Mississippi Saltwater License.” 

• The fish with the heaviest weight will determine the winner. In case of a tie, the first fish weighed in will be determined by the winner. 

• Cobia Category: Cobia weighed must meet a minimum length requirement of 40” AT THE FORK to be weighed at the Rodeo. (#40belowLetemGo) 

• Shark: Sharks caught in federal waters must meet the Federal guidelines and minimum length requirements. Sharks caught in State Waters are required to meet all minimum state requirements. Proof of permits will be required to enter a catch. 

• If you’re fishing the Red Snapper Category, you must register your trip with “Tails and Scales” before you leave the dock. 

• All fish must be in an acceptable condition. The Weigh Master or its designee reserves the right to reject any entry because of poor condition, mutilation or being frozen. The condition of the fish will be left to the scrutiny of the weigh master 

• All fish weighed may be subject to random gutting, failure to allow tournament to gut a fish will result in disqualification of the fish in question. 

• Fish entered in any other rodeo or tournament will not be eligible for MSDSFR rodeo competition. 

• ALL DECISIONS OF THE WEIGHMASTER WILL BE FINAL! THE CONDITION OF ALL FISH AND ALL COMPLIANCE WITH THE RULES OF THE MSDSFR WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FINAL DECISION OF THE WEIGHMASTER. 

• Participants enter the MSDSFR at their own risk: neither the MSDSFR, the individual tournament(s) within the MSDSRF nor any Director, Coordinator, or any person associated with the MSDSFR shall be held liable for any injury, harm, or negligence to any person for any reason. 

KING AND QUEEN FRESH AND SALTWATER CATEGORIES 

The following criteria will determine the King and Queen for both saltwater and freshwater categories. (No Exceptions) 

• On each species of fish for each day of the rodeo 

• 1st Place will be awarded 5 points. 

• 2nd Place will be awarded 3 points. 

In the event of a tie: 

• Most 1st place fish will be awarded 1 additional point.  

If a tie still exists. 

• Most 2nd place fish will be awarded 1 additional point. 

 If a tie still exists. 

•  First fish entered earliest entry (Date and Time) 

ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UP TO BUT NOT AFTER THE START OF THE RODEO ON JULY 1, 2027.