Orange Beach Anglers Can Now Register for the MAAAC Fall Fishing Rodeo, Set for Oct. 23–25 to Benefit City Schools

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Registration is now open for the 2026 MAAAC Fall Fishing Rodeo, a multi-species fishing tournament that will bring anglers of every age to Orange Beach later this month while raising support for Orange Beach City Schools.

The rodeo is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Official weigh-ins will take place at the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club at Orange Beach Marina. Organizers say anglers must register online before the posted deadline in order to be eligible to compete, so families and fishing crews who are planning to take part are encouraged to sign up early rather than waiting until the weekend of the event.

The tournament is open to youth, junior and adult anglers, and each age group competes in its own division with its own list of eligible species. Prizes and awards will be presented for first, second and third place in each eligible species category, and every division will also crown a Master Angler — the top overall performer in that division based on the tournament’s point system. Two side competitions round out the weekend: the MAAAC Trash Can Slam Championship and the Speckled Trout Lunker Jackpot.

A Fishing Weekend With a Classroom Purpose

Like many fishing rodeos along the Alabama coast, the MAAAC Fall Fishing Rodeo is as much a community gathering as it is a competition. Proceeds from the event benefit Orange Beach City Schools, which means that every entry fee paid by a young angler, a weekend fisherman or a seasoned charter regular helps support local students.

Organizers describe the rodeo as a weekend that “brings anglers, families, and the community together for a weekend of fishing and friendly competition.” For Orange Beach, a city whose identity is closely tied to the water, a fall tournament that pairs the area’s fishing heritage with support for its public schools is a natural fit.

The timing is also notable. Late October is a popular stretch of the year for fishing along the northern Gulf Coast, after the peak of the summer tourist season has passed and as many anglers turn their attention to inshore species such as speckled trout and redfish. Fall rodeos give local families an opportunity to fish together during a quieter time of year on the water.

Divisions and Entry Fees

The tournament is organized into three main age divisions. Entry fees are as follows:

• Youth Division (10 and under): $35 per angler
• Junior Division (ages 11 through 17): $35 per angler
• Adult Division (18 and older): $50 per angler

The relatively modest entry fees for the Youth and Junior divisions are designed to make the rodeo accessible to young anglers, many of whom may be competing in a tournament for the first time. Parents and guardians who are thinking about introducing a child to competitive fishing may find that a community rodeo like this one is a welcoming place to start.

Eligible Species by Division

Each division targets a different slate of fish, reflecting the varying skill levels, equipment and fishing locations typically associated with each age group. Anglers should pay close attention to the list for their own division, because only the listed species are eligible for awards in that division.

Youth Division (10 and under)

• Pinfish
• Croaker
• Speckled Trout
• Redfish
• B-Liner

The youth list includes several species that are commonly caught from piers, docks and shorelines, such as pinfish and croaker, alongside popular inshore game fish like speckled trout and redfish. The B-liner, a common name along the Gulf Coast for the vermilion snapper, is typically associated with offshore bottom fishing.

Junior Division (ages 11–17)

• Speckled Trout
• Redfish
• Flounder
• Black Drum
• Red Snapper

Junior anglers will compete for a mix of inshore favorites — speckled trout, redfish, flounder and black drum — as well as red snapper, one of the most sought-after offshore species in Alabama waters.

Adult Division (18 and older)

• Speckled Trout
• Redfish
• Flounder
• Red Snapper
• King Mackerel

The adult list adds king mackerel, a fast-running pelagic fish prized by offshore anglers, to a lineup that also includes the inshore staples of speckled trout, redfish and flounder, plus red snapper.

How the Master Angler Title Works

In addition to the species-by-species awards, each division will present a Master Angler award. The title is determined by the tournament’s point system, which rewards anglers for their overall performance across the eligible species rather than for a single fish. That structure tends to reward versatility: an angler who weighs in quality fish across several categories can contend for the Master Angler honor even without landing the single heaviest fish of the weekend.

Anglers who want to understand exactly how points are awarded, how ties are broken and what qualifies a fish for the leaderboard should consult the Official Tournament Rules before the event begins.

Side Competitions: Trash Can Slam and Lunker Jackpot

Two additional competitions will run alongside the main divisional events during the rodeo weekend:

• MAAAC Trash Can Slam Championship: Open to Youth and Junior anglers only. The entry fee is $35 per angler.
• Speckled Trout Lunker Jackpot: Available for a $35 entry per angler.

Side jackpots are a common feature of Gulf Coast fishing tournaments, giving anglers an extra way to compete beyond the main standings. The Speckled Trout Lunker Jackpot, as its name suggests, focuses on one of the most popular inshore species in coastal Alabama. Because entry in the side competitions is separate from the main division entry fee, anglers who want to take part should make sure they register for those competitions specifically.

Weigh-Ins at Orange Beach Marina

All official weigh-ins will be held at the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club at Orange Beach Marina. Weigh-in stations at fishing rodeos are often a gathering place for families and spectators, and they offer young anglers in particular a chance to see the catches brought in by other competitors.

Participants should review the weigh-in requirements in the Official Tournament Rules carefully, including any requirements related to weigh-in hours, how fish must be presented, and the condition of fish brought to the scales. Fish that do not meet the rules may be disqualified, so preparation ahead of time can make a real difference.

Know the Rules Before You Fish

Organizers are strongly encouraging every participant to read the Official Tournament Rules before competing. According to the tournament, those rules spell out complete regulations, fishing boundaries, weigh-in requirements and competition guidelines.

Tournament rules operate alongside, not in place of, state and federal fishing regulations. Anglers remain responsible for following all applicable fishing license requirements, size limits, bag limits and season dates that apply to the species they are targeting. Those regulations can vary by species and can change from year to year, so anglers are encouraged to confirm current requirements with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and, for federally managed species, with the appropriate federal authorities before heading out.

Tips for First-Time Rodeo Families

For families planning to enter a child in the Youth or Junior division for the first time, a few practical steps can help make the weekend go smoothly:

• Register early. Anglers must register before the deadline to be eligible, and registration is handled online.
• Read the species list together. Make sure young anglers know which fish count in their division so they can focus their efforts.
• Review the rules. Boundaries and weigh-in requirements are spelled out in the Official Tournament Rules.
• Decide on side competitions in advance. The Trash Can Slam and Speckled Trout Lunker Jackpot each carry their own $35 entry.
• Plan for the weather. Fall weather along the Gulf Coast can change quickly, and marine conditions should always be checked before going out on the water.

Event at a Glance

• What: 2026 MAAAC Fall Fishing Rodeo
• When: Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026
• Weigh-ins: Mobile Big Game Fishing Club at Orange Beach Marina
• Divisions: Youth (10 and under), Junior (11–17), Adult (18 and older)
• Entry fees: $35 for Youth and Junior anglers; $50 for Adult anglers
• Side competitions: MAAAC Trash Can Slam Championship (Youth and Junior, $35) and Speckled Trout Lunker Jackpot ($35)
• Beneficiary: Orange Beach City Schools
• Registration: Online, before the tournament deadline

Whether an angler is a 7-year-old hoping to land a croaker off the dock or an experienced adult chasing king mackerel offshore, the MAAAC Fall Fishing Rodeo offers a weekend of competition, camaraderie and community support for Orange Beach students.