Destin Fishing Rodeo

Destin, located halfway between Pensacola and Panama City on Florida's Gulf Coast, is nationally known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" and the “Billfishing Capital of the Northern Gulf”. Destin is home to sugary white beaches and clear emerald waters, perfect for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. It’s history can be credited to Capt. Leonard Destin, who settled here in Northwest Florida around 1845 and pioneered the fishing industry. Destin has maintained its fishing heritage and has the largest charter boat fleet in Florida. Fishing here is simply great!

The Destin Rodeo is a fishing tournament for anglers of all skill levels and ages. In 2005, more than 30,000 anglers competed throughout the month of October for over $100,000 in prizes ranging from trophies and merchandise to bonds.

You can troll inshore for King Mackerel, offshore for Marlin and Sailfish, and drift the deep blue bottoms for Red Snapper and Grouper. There are daily, weekly, and overall prizes in men's, women's and junior anglers' categories. Just about every game fish is recognized with awards during the Rodeo.

The following are the 2006 Rodeo Divisions:

GRAND PRIZE DIVISION:
King Mackerel and Red Snapper are the only two species of fish that may be entered in the Grand Prize Division. A prize will be awarded to both the charter boat contestants and the private boat category contestants entering the largest and second largest King Mackerel and Red Snapper.

GROUPER AWARDS DIVISION:
Black Grouper is the only species of fish that may be entered in the Grouper Awards Division.

AMBERJACK DIVISION:
Amberjack is the only species that may be entered in the Amberjack Awards Division.

SPECIAL AWARDS DIVISION:
Kitty Mitchell, Red Grouper, Black Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Blackfin Tuna, Yellowfin Grouper, Bonita, Jack Crevalle, Redfish, and Cobia in competition with each other may be entered in the Special Awards Division.

WARSAW DIVISION:
Warsaw is the only specie of fish that may be entered in the Warsaw Division.