Tarpon Rodeo returns to area for 89th anniversary

“They jump, they crash, they break tackle and bones. Tarpon possess the muscle and mass to defeat you in several different ways. Of course, that is precisely why we love them.”

Those words, spoken by Outdoor Life writer Jerry Gibbs best describes the reason so many people will flock to tiny Grand Isle starting tomorrow for the 89th annual Grand Isle International Tarpon Rodeo, the oldest competitive fishing rodeo in the country.

As the premiere event of the year on the island, the rodeo has experienced significant growth over the course of its history. With 36 categories in three divisions – shoreline, tarpon and big game, the event has catered to all fishermen during its historic run.

According to Grand Isle Councilman Chris Roberts, a member of the rodeo committee, it’s that rich, longstanding tradition that has made the rodeo one of the premiere fishing rodeos in Louisiana and keeps people coming back every year.

“There is a lot of history involved in it,” he said. “A lot of families, political figures and business figures involved. We’ve done a lot to try and make it more family oriented to allow everyone of all ages to come out, enjoy themselves and have a good time.”

From the time the first cast leaves a fishing line tomorrow, till the time the last boat returns on Saturday, attendees will not be without something to do.

For the last six months, Roberts and the rest of the leaders in Jefferson Parish, have been working nonstop to get the island back up and running following hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

He believes the Tarpon Rodeo will be a chance for all the local businesses on the island to show the public they are back up and running.

“We’ve done a lot of advertising,” Roberts said. “We did a lot to get the island cleaned up following an active hurricane season last year. We replaced all the street signs on the island, put a new entrance sign up that is being dedicated today.

“We knew that if the owners down there did not have a successful tourism season, it would be very difficult for them to survive,” he added. “When you look at what the last impression was after the storm, we wanted to make sure that word got out they were back open for business.”

Much of the profit for the year for Grand Isle businesses comes from the rodeo, Roberts explained, so it is important to get the island back to normal as soon as they can.

In the recovery phase from the storm, Roberts admits he expects record numbers at the event with the upgrades under way and expects people to keep returning after they see the island is back to normal.

“Our numbers are always great but we are preparing for a record year,” he said. “The businesses need the support, and this is the way to do it.”

Because so many people are anticipated to attend the event, Jefferson Parish reached for support and assistance from the state police, Grand Isle Police Department and the Jefferson Parish, Lafourche Parish, St. Charles Parish and the Terrebonne Parish sheriff’s offices to help with security.

“It’s a regional effort and a great opportunity, especially for all of the local elective leaders to be able to work together on a regional project,” Roberts said. “We’ve all got to come to know each other really well. It’s up to us to form relationships that I think are beneficial to the entire southeast Louisiana.”