Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is a great location for all kinds of water sports and fishing is no exception. Both the ocean and the many lakes and streams in the area provide excellent venues for fishing, and anglers can expect to catch a huge variety of species in the waters of the Grand Strand area. Myrtle Beach recognizes the wonderful fishing opportunities in and around their town and each year the Chamber of Commerce organizes a competition to bring attention to the fishing as well as to noteworthy area fishermen and visiting anglers as well.
The Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo Competition is a 6-month long festival that includes a host of different events and invites anglers of all ages to come and participate in the fun. According to the local Chamber of Commerce, competition participants range from toddlers to those in their 80s and 90s. Some events call for teams while others are for individuals. Dozens upon dozens of prizes are awarded and many of the 400-500 annual participants go home with decals, shoulder patches, trophies, medals, or even a cash prize. Some awards are given monthly while others are presented annually at the end of the competition.
The Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo Competition commences on April 1 and continues until the end of October. Only recreational fishermen can vie for the prizes. The fish entered in the competition must be caught by rod and reel by the person making the entry. Eligible waters include the coastal waters from the North Carolina line at Calabash southward to the South Santee River are eligible waters. If a boat is involved, only the fish caught from vessels that depart and return to port within that same designated area are eligible. Any catch must be weighed at one of eight designated weigh stations set up specifically for the rodeo.
The fish divisions for the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo include African pompano, black drum, black sea bass, blackfin tuna, bluefish, cobia, croaker, dolphin, flounder, grouper, king mackerel, pompano, sheepshead, snapper, spadefish, Spanish mackerel, triggerfish, trout, wahoo, whiting, and yellowfin tuna.
The Take a Kid Fishing event is a popular part of the rodeo and serves to “promote and introduce young anglers to the sport of fishing and create an opportunity for parent, relative or volunteer to spend the day with a child.” The adult and child work as a team with divisions determined by age of the child. The team can bring their own fishing equipment or equipment can be borrowed from event coordinators. Only bottom fishing is permitted. Food and drink are provided for those who are participating and each child receives a gift bag to mark their participation. First, second, and third place awards are given at each pier and a “largest catch” overall award is also presented at each location. This tournament is a one-day event that’s held towards the end of the rodeo and is popular with both locals and visitors.
At the end of the competition a banquet is organized
and all those who caught the largest of each species are invited to attend.
Ten other anglers are chosen at random to attend the festivities as well. At
this event, a Grand Prize drawing is held and all those in attendance are
eligible to receive it.
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