MILTON — Anglers should start getting their tackle ready for a new fishing tournament.
Santa Rosa County commissioners on Thursday approved $10,000 to fund the Navarre Fishing Rodeo scheduled for June 1-2. The money will come from the Tourist Development Council’s reserve funds.
The rodeo will be the first of its kind for the Navarre area.
“Everybody’s thrilled. They’re really looking forward to it,” said Laurie Gallup, owner of Navarre Properties and one of the fishing rodeo’s organizers. “We’re going to have low entry costs, so it’s not just going to be for the big guys. Your smaller recreational fishermen can be a part of this.”
The Navarre Fishing Rodeo will have 20 fish divisions designed to highlight the various fishing opportunities in Navarre, such as pier fishing, surf fishing, deep sea fishing and inshore fishing in Santa Rosa Sound, bays and rivers. The dates of the rodeo were chosen because more of fisheries, including the popular red snapper, are open at that time.
The rodeo also will feature a junior division.
The $10,000 will be used to rent the tent, chairs, stage and lighting to be set up at Juana’s Pagodas, the tournament’s headquarters. It money also will pay for T-shirts, bags and other merchandise, the design of the event’s website and other costs.
The rodeo’s entry fee will be $25, and the top prize for each division will be at least $100. Signup locations will be announced at a later date.
Work has started on the rodeo’s website, logo and T-shirts, Gallup said.
