by Ezabelle Janssen, Senior Staff Writer
GULFPORT (GG) — The Gulf Coast is known for hook-worthy views, and at the 78th Annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, one came dangling from an excavator.
A 312-pound bull shark swung toward the scales as spectators abandoned conversations, vendors peeked from beneath their tents, and children craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the Gulf giant. It was the largest shark weighed during the weekend, complete with a bite mark from another predator.
It wasn’t enough to topple the standing record. That honor still belongs to David Rogers of Coden, Alabama, whose 377-pound, 4-ounce bull shark stunned the rodeo during the 73rd annual event in 2021.
Yet no one seemed disappointed, because the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo isn’t just about breaking records, it’s about celebrating and supporting the love of fishing.
For the first time in rodeo history, the children’s tournament stretched across three full days. The newly expanded Landry Fore Memorial Fishing Tournament honors the Gulfport native whose love for fishing and family continues to ripple through the community years after his passing.
Weightmaster Mickey Lagasse, whose own family is woven deeply into the fabric of the rodeo, has watched generations grow up around these docks. He’s weighed fish for years, including serving as weightmaster during the inaugural D’Iberville Fishing Rodeo, and two of his daughters have worn the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo crown.
“We had a great weekend,” Lagasse said. “Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we probably had 200 kids.” Through a partnership between the Mississippi Coastal Conservation Association, the Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, and tournament sponsors, 200 rods and reels were placed into young anglers’ hands,
Ask him what stood out most this weekend, and he talks about the children. “These parents are out there fishing with their kids. That’s about the coolest thing that could be happening right now.”
The numbers certainly impressed. Nearly every competition category found a winner this year, but for Lagasse, the greatest catch wasn’t measured in pounds. The rodeo’s scholarship pageant reflected that same spirit.
The contestants weren’t simply preparing for crowns and photographs. They rolled ice into the fish house, helped volunteers move fish throughout the weekend, and even learned how to fillet the catches that later fed those working behind the scenes.
Lagasse affectionately nicknamed this year’s contestants the “Ice Princesses.” “From the weightmaster’s point of view, it’s the first time I know of in history that you’ve seen twelve girls throwing 800 pounds of ice at night,” he said. “They were the ones filling the ice bin every night. They rolled in the ice. They rolled in the fish. I mean, it was great.”
It wasn’t pageantry for the sake of appearances. It was service.
As the weekend came to a close, 2025 Rodeo Queen Caroline Lagasse passed her crown to Long Beach’s Savannah Madigan, whose dedication extended beyond the stage. Madigan became known for tirelessly selling raffle tickets and even organizing an additional raffle to help support the rodeo. Her efforts earned her the 2026 Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Queen title along with a $1,000 scholarship. Riley Mitchell of Gulfport was named first runner-up, while Harrison County’s Raegen Brooks finished as second runner-up.
But, of course, every rodeo has a good fish tale.
This year’s belonged to Gulfport local Matthew Mitchell, the Speckled Trout Man of the Year. Fishing alone in his kayak as storms rolled through, Mitchell nearly headed back to shore as the water grew rough. Instead, he decided to make a few more casts.
“Feeling the weight on the end of that line, I automatically assumed it was a redfish,” Mitchell said. Only when the fish surfaced did reality set in.
“When it came up, and I saw it, my heart was beating so fast. I was like, ‘My God, this is the biggest trout I’ve ever caught!’ Thank God I got him in the net. The hook was barely in his mouth.”
Mitchell said he simply sat there staring at the fish “for a couple of minutes, just in disbelief.” The speckled trout tipped the scales at 7.89 pounds.
“I’ve got to have him on the wall now,” Mitchell said with a grin.
Among the giant sharks, trophy trout, and pagaent crowns, another generation found its place in a beloved Gulf Coast tradition.
Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette
