Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The "Fish for Families!" Benefit Fishing Rodeo, returning for its fifth year, gives back to the community in two important ways. The event lets veterans and first responders fish for free. Donated fish from the event go directly to feed people in need in Bon Secour. The tournament is also the fourth event in a five-tournament multi-species series.

The rodeo is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 2026. All anglers must register by 4:59 a.m. on Saturday, October 24. Fish must have been caught after 5 a.m. that Saturday and be in line at the weigh station by 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. Weigh-in runs from 3 to 4 p.m. at Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores, 240 E. 24th Ave., Gulf Shores.

Veterans and first responders can register for free by contacting Robert Walker at 251-423-5964 or reelzgood@gmail.com. All other anglers pay a $30 registration fee. The tournament accepts any edible fish over 12 inches as a community donation. Each donated fish earns the angler an entry into a non-cash prize package.

The event is part of the Bon Secour Butchers Angler of the Year competition. This season-long competition is open to anyone with a free "Slayer of Fish" membership in the Fishing Chaos app. Points are awarded based on finish position in each species category across the five-tournament series.

Species categories for the rodeo include:

• "Slot" Speckled Trout
• "Slot" Redfish
• Flounder (14-inch minimum)
• White Trout (12-inch minimum)

Cash prizes are awarded in three places for each species: first place receives $150, second place receives $100, and third place receives $50. A non-cash prize goes to the angler who weighs in an "Alabama Slam," which requires catching slot Speckled Trout, slot Redfish, and Flounder. The angler with the highest combined weight across all three species wins the slam award.

A separate non-cash prize is awarded to the angler who brings in the "Leopard" Redfish with the most spots. Anglers may enter unlimited ranks and can sweep the tournament, taking home all available cash in a single event. If an angler is competing in another tournament the same weekend, fish may be weighed in at both events, provided the angler is registered for each.

Two optional jackpot buy-ins are available for $10 each. The Gator Speckled Trout jackpot, which allows over-slot fish, pays $100 to a single winner. The Doormat Flounder jackpot also pays $100 to a single winner.

Up to 30 door prizes will be awarded to registered anglers who show up to weigh in, including those who do not catch a fish. That perk is based on participation. The first 30 anglers to sign up and attend the pre-tournament "Pirates Party" at Tacky Jacks in Gulf Shores will receive a "Booty Bag" filled with tackle from tournament sponsors.

Tournament rules include the following:

• Fishing is allowed from land, shore, pier, or boat — motorized or non-motorized
• Everyone on a boat must be registered for the tournament
• Fishing is allowed in any public waters where target species can be caught, within boundaries running from the Mississippi/Louisiana border in the west to U.S. Highway 331 in Florida, and north to an imaginary line connecting Louisiana and Florida
• All anglers must be registered by 4:59 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026

Angler of the Year points are awarded to the top five finishers in each species: first place earns five points, second four, third three, fourth two, and fifth one. The Alabama Slam uses the same point structure, with bonus points for the top five anglers who complete the slam. An angler who sweeps a category — catching the three biggest fish — can earn up to 12 points in a single event. Only one slam win is allowed per event, but a clean sweep across all categories offers up to 60 points plus five bonus points for the heaviest Alabama Slam.

For more information, visit the tournament’s event page.