Fish Christmas

Richard Rutland has been fishing the waters around Dauphin Island for as long as he can remember. Literally. He makes his living at it. Throughout the year, you can book a guided fishing trip with Cold-Blooded Fishing and learn so much about our waters and conservation efforts being implemented to preserve and enhance anglers’ fishing experiences. And you will catch fish!

He is also a long-term member of the Mobile Chapter of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the largest chapter in the U.S, and referred to as The Mobile Jaycees. The Jaycees are responsible for three primary programs, The Azalea Trail, The Greater Gulf State Fair, and the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. This year’s ADSFR will host its 89^th fishing tournament July 14 – 17 at their Dauphin Island headquarters. The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is the largest fishing rodeo of its kind and attracts over 3,000 anglers and 75,000 spectators. It is worth your time to attend.

Among the many leadership roles Richard has held during his time with the Mobile Jaycees, including Chapter President in 2018, this year may be his most challenging. He was ADSFR President in 2016 and has served on the ADSFR Board of Directors for many years, but as this year’s Rules Committee Chairman, he will need all his knowledge and experience to make sure no rules are broken. There are significant rewards at stake for those who win their species categories, and even fully equipped boats, motors, and trailers for a few big winners. The fishing boundaries extend from Apalachicola, Florida to the borders of Texas. It’s a big job!

Over the years, Richard has increased his interest in conservation efforts to protect our local waters and the health of the recreational fishing industry. In 2015, he spearheaded the live-well weigh-in at the ADSFR, where Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Tripletail were weighed live and then placed in a large tank for people to view before being released back into their native waters. Another example that has increased the flounder populations in the last few years is acoustic tagging. Flounders are caught and a small sounding device is surgically implanted, sutured, and released back into the water. Marine biologists at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab can then track specific fish and learn about their habits.

The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo works closely with the University of South Alabama Marine Biology Department and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to collect information from the thousands of fish brought into the weigh station each year. The Rodeo produces the largest and most varied species of fish for study by the many Ph.D. marine biologist students that are in residence at the Sea Lab, thus the moniker, Fish Christmas.  

This information is gathered, studied, and used to determine limits on fish harvested as well as size limits to ensure that species populations thrive and grow. And it’s working. For the Ph.D. students earning their Marine Biology degrees under the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Dr. Sean Powers, it’s a mecca of information.  Much of what they learn is passed up to state and federal levels to help govern fishing regulations.  

The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is a must-do event for the whole family. The Leaderboard is constantly being updated as anglers bring their catch to the weigh station and those already on the board watch anxiously to see if their fish will remain a winner. There is so much to see and do. There’s even a prize for the most unusual fish caught during the three-day event, often rarely ever seen species. As this year’s Rules Committee Chairman, Richard is happy to have Dr. Powers available for consultation.

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