First fish, and many more
DESTIN — The 70th annual Destin Fishing Rodeo is off to a big start with great weather and large numbers of weigh-ins each day.
"We have been slammed," said Marion Palmgren, associate director of the rodeo. "We have such wonderful weather."
Monday's total of 89 fish weighed in was the second-highest first day number in the history of the event.
The first fish was caught by 11-year-old Connor Yeric of Bowling Green, Kentucky, who brought in his fish Monday morning.
“It was my first time and it was a lot of fun,” said Connor, who caught a 6-pound redfish. It was his first trip to the Rodeo.
He was fishing with family aboard Destin Inshore Guides with Capt. Josh Calhoon, who won captain of the year last year in the Charter Boat Under 25 Division.
“That fish really caught him by surprise,” Calhoon said.
Calhoon said they left the docks at 7 a.m. and timed the charter trip so they could have a chance to weigh in that first fish.
They got to the Rodeo scales behind AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar about 9:30 a.m.
When the clock neared 10 a.m., there were two other groups in line to weigh in fish. However, the group from Destin Inshore Guides were front and center on the Rodeo barge as weighmaster Bruce Cheves blew the whistle to open this year’s event.
For his efforts, Connor made it onto the Rodeo leaderboard for First Fish as well as a place in the Inshore Division for redfish. He also took home a free rod and reel, certificate and an engraved Yeti tumbler.
The rodeo runs through Oct. 31, with daily weigh-ins at the docks.
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