Fishing Rodeo Angles In Tough Economy

Dauphin Island Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Organizers say it was hard to find sponsors this year.

by Chad Petri

Published: Fri, July 17, 2009 - 3:39 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, July 17, 2009 - 5:51 pm CST

For fishermen like Michael Pittman, the deep sea fishing rodeo is something people enjoy no matter what the economy is doing.

“People talk bad about the economy but you still see 1000 boats out here every year, you know what I mean, even with the economy people are still going to do what they want to do even if it breaks the bank,” says Pittman. Fishermen have been docking all day with what they hope will be the biggest catch--but it was a bigger challenge getting this year's rodeo together. Officials with the Jaycees say some sponsors from last year couldn't do it this year.

“This year, more times than not it was 'we want to but we have to re-evaluate our budget and where our funds go due to the economy,’” says Rodeo President Randy Brooks. Organizers say the challenge of getting all the sponsors together made them work harder to make sure everything got off the ground this year.

“Made us focus a little more on the local vendors, maybe weren't with us the year before went back to them,” says Brooks. He says they found other sponsors just in time. He says the only thing heavier than the fish, is the challenge they had to overcome.

“You still have to work at it, nothing's a given, you've got to go out and make the phone calls the ones that have been with you five years, the ones that have been with you one year you've got to go out make the phone calls, be patient and the ones that want to be here, they're back with us,” says Brooks. He says ticket sales were strong and they expect to have more than 3,000 competing this year.

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