Thunder's rodeo gets under way Friday
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
By JR. WITTNER The Mississippi Press
PASCAGOULA -- After a record setting rodeo last year, the sixth annual Thunder's Fishing Rodeo will get started Friday and run until Sunday.
Scales open at 2 p.m. Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday.
There are 11 saltwater categories and three freshwater categories for anglers this year.
Tournament organizer Billy Bridgett said that another big year is expected.
"This tournament has grown each year and we expect another good number this year," Bridgett said. "We've got some new sponsors and some more prize money in some categories, so I think it's going to be the best one yet."
Rodeo records were set last year in red fish, white trout, bass and amberjack, and this year there will be more money added to second place in the lemon fish and red snapper categories.
Peter Floyd brought home top honors in the lemon fish category last year with a catch of 59 pounds, 9 ounces.
Jamey Eubanks broke the red fish record last year with a catch of 31.7 pounds, while Mandalyn Krebs' white trout at 2.1 pounds was a rodeo record.
Donnie Bosarge hammered the bass record with a catch of 9.1 pounds, which earned him $200.
The biggest purse this year will be in lemon fish and red snapper with $750 going to the top angler.
"We've added some prize money to second place in a couple of our bigger categories," Bridgett said. "We're looking forward to some good fishing again this year."
An entry fee of $30 gets anglers into the rodeo and the first 150 entrants get a free T-shirt. All fish will be weighed in at Thunder's Tavern located at 1340 Market Street in Pascagoula.
Categories include, red fish, red snapper, lemon fish, amberjack, grouper, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, flounder, speckled trout, catfish, white perch, white trout, bass and shell cracker.
JR. Wittner can be reached at
jrwittner@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1426.
this weekend 
