Mississippi Gulf Coast Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo celebrates 77th year in Gulfport
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- The Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo returns to Gulfport for its 77th year.
- Four-day event features public fishing contests, music, rides and fireworks.
- Young anglers and rodeo princesses compete for prizes and local scholarships.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is kicking off its 77th year in Gulfport on July 3, bringing four days of fishing, live music, food and family fun to Jones Park.
What started in 1947 as a small competition organized by the local American Legion has become one of the longest-running fishing tournaments in the country. According to event organizers, it remains one of the few rodeos of its kind still open to the public and accessible to all ages.
Richard Valdez grew up attending the event with his father, a former fireworks coordinator for the rodeo. Now, he’s the board president for the event.
“That’s how far back my family goes with the rodeo,” Valdez said. “That’s pretty much all I’ve ever done my whole life on the Fourth of July — be at the rodeo.”
Whether you’re casting a line or just coming for the festivities, this year’s rodeo promises something for everyone. Fishermen from across the region will compete for the biggest and best catches, while festival-goers can enjoy carnival rides, DJs, food vendors and pageants.
Local bands including The Network, New Direction and Lisa Albritton will take the stage throughout the weekend. The event also features a fireworks show on July 4 at 8:45 p.m.
Young anglers and future queens
Two of the four days will feature a Kids’ Fishing Rodeo, giving young anglers a chance to reel in prizes.
In honor of Landry Fore, a Gulfport native, avid fisherman and racer who passed away in July 2021, the children’s tournament invites families to share time on the water and celebrate Landry’s legacy.
“My favorite part is watching the young fishermen come in with their catches,” Valdez said. “It’s so exciting to be sitting there and see these young kids when they win awards with big smiles on their faces.”
Young women graduating high school or attending a public Mississippi college can enter the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Princess pageant for the chance to win up to $1,000 in scholarships.
Big catches, bigger traditions
Weigh-ins begin daily at 12 p.m., with catches displayed on ice for spectators to view. Afterward, edible fish are donated to local nonprofits such as Feed My Sheep, while non-edible species are turned over to marine biology teams from colleges and research organizations.
“We have a whole team of different college representatives and organizations that come in for four days and get specimens of these fish that would otherwise cost hundreds or thousands of dollars,” Valdez said.
In return, top anglers take home prizes such as coolers, kayaks, rods and reels. In 2009, longtime participant Ryan Necaise won a 15-foot Alumacraft Jon boat.
“I told myself that when I won the boat I would quit because, I mean, I can’t really get any further ahead than that,” Necaise said.
Necaise, who began attending the rodeo with his father at age 8, now brings his own family.
“I get to know how my daddy felt when he brought us into it,” Necaise said. “Now, I have a 2-year-old son, and I’m waiting until he’s old enough to enter. I brought my stepson two years ago.”
A regular for the past 25 years, Mark Alan Ros and his crew either camp on the water or return home only to head back out just after midnight.
“We’ve caught some really big cobia over the years in that rodeo, 60- to 70-pounders, and one year we had some really big tuna. We didn’t want to give that fish away. We wanted to eat it,” Ros said.
Ticket info and access
Admission is $5 from 12 to 2 p.m. daily and $10 after 2 p.m. Fishing contestants pay a one-time $5 fee for a four-day pass, making the event accessible for all skill levels and age groups.
“We’re just open to everybody, and it’s one of the only tournaments like it left in the country,” Valdez said.
