(4-23-19) South Florida’s premier fishing tournament has been postponed until 2020 because volunteer resources were spread too thin after the Seafood Festival was moved to Community Park, according to a recent press release.
“I can assure everyone that the key word is ‘postpone,’” said Captain Skip Dana. “This is in no way the end of the Rodeo. In fact, we are looking at this as the beginning of a new era for South Florida’s oldest tournament. We are excited about the future and already kicking around a number of ideas for 2020.”
Keep reading to learn more about this annual event. We hope to see you all in 2020!
Top anglers locally and from across the nation voyage onto the open sea in mid-May in hopes of earning plenty of kudos and cash prizes, including a $10,000 prize for the largest overall haul. The annual Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo is a celebration of the City’s maritime history. Pompano Beach is known as South Florida’s saltwater fishing and diving capital. It’s where the Gulfstream comes closer to shore than anywhere in the country, and big game fish can be caught within sight of the shore.
Anglers will vie for who catches the most and biggest of five types of popular eating fish in the Atlantic Ocean, including cobia, mahi-mahi, blackfin tuna, wahoo, and king mackerel. Participants will spend up to nine glorious hours in the teal waters off of Pompano Beach. At the end of the day, the important fish weigh-in takes place dockside at the Sands Harbor Marina. Right next door, a rousing kick-off party precedes the weekend at The Rusty Hook Tavern. It’s just a short walk from Beach Vacation Rentals’ award-winning Cottages by the Ocean.
Fishing Rodeo History
The Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce organized the first Fishing Rodeo in 1965 to draw tourists to the area during the springtime and shine a spotlight on the many local charters. The Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo occurs annually on the third weekend of May. As “Rodeo Weekend” enters its 54th season, join thousands of others for a full day of fishing. Fishing is unquestionably one of the top things to do in Pompano Beach, thanks in large part to our local charters, historic Hillsboro Lighthouse and inlet, peaceful waters, and our iconic fishing pier being replaced by a new, state-of-the-art fishing pier set to open June 1, 2019.
Kick-Off Party and Live Entertainment
The Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo kicks off with a party on Thursday evening at The Rusty Hook Tavern. Anglers can enjoy live music, drinks, and some of the best fresh seafood in the city at The Rusty Hook from 6-10 p.m. The Rusty Hook is known for its upscale yet relaxed dining atmosphere, Intracoastal Waterway views, and marina patio. We encourage participants to partake in these pre-tournament festivities to mingle with some of the area’s best anglers.
The Rodeo
After a visual inspection on Hillsboro Inlet early Saturday morning, hundreds of boats will venture into the vast Atlantic with hopes of hauling in some of the largest fish ever recorded in Pompano Beach. With tens of thousands of dollars in prizes, this year’s rodeo is bound to be yet another exciting weekend for all ages. $10,000 goes to the best overall haul while the largest fish is worth $5,000. Even children ten years old or younger can enroll in the “Small Fry” contest! There are several fairly straightforward rules that all curious anglers should look over before filling out an entry form. While we cannot guarantee that you’ll reel in a record-breaking fish during this year’s rodeo, you’ll undoubtedly return to one of our nearby Beach Vacation Rentals apartments and cottages with fond memories of a beautiful day spent fishing in Pompano Beach!
Things to Do in Pompano Beach, Florida
Bookend your “Rodeo Weekend” getaway with sunbathing, scuba diving, and dining on fresh seafood. Beach Vacation Rentals has dozens of top-rated boutique cottages and apartments within minutes of the best things to do in Pompano Beach, including golf, live music, and harness racing. Call us today at 1-954-283-1111 to learn more about our tropical cottages, or visit 4RentByTheBeach.com to see them for yourself.