In 1936, a fishing tournament debuted in a rugged coastal fish camp known as Tarpon. Back then, the town had fewer than 400 people, with an economy centered on sportfishing. A spectacular large fish nicknamed “Silver King” drew anglers from all over the country who’d venture out in locally built wooden Farley boats. Even President Franklin Roosevelt showed up and tried his luck in 1937.
That city is now the thriving beach destination of Port Aransas, and while the boats are quite a bit nicer, the tournament and its spirit live on as the Deep Sea Roundup, celebrating 90 years this July 9-12.
The annual event, which helped Port Aransas become the official state-designated “Fishing Capital of Texas” last year, actually first took place in 1932 under the name the Tarpon Rodeo. North Millican won the first tournament, but legend has it that he didn’t actually catch the winning tarpon himself. Generations of Port A residents say that the person who really fought and landed the giant fish was his wife, Totsy Millican. Only the tarpons know the truth.
Although it started as a competition for experienced tarpon anglers, today’s Roundup is a classic fishing tournament that attracts anywhere from 400 to 800 mostly Texan participants a year. There are competitions for all ages and divisions, ranging from Kayak to Offshore to the Top Woman Angler (justice for Totsy). And at $150 for an adult registration, it’s more affordable than a lot of other fishing contests.
Port A boat captain Cliff Strain is a 45-year-long member of the Port Aransas Boatmen Association, the nonprofit organization formed by local charter boat captains that has overseen the tournament since its inception. According to him, the Roundup is a tradition for not only the town, but for the families that return year after year. He’s seen second and third generations compete and adds that while you can win money in the tournament, the real draw is just “how much fun it is.”
Local business owner Beth Owens has been going to the Roundup for 40 years, and says that while the town can get “crazy busy” during tournament week, it also brings a lot of excitement to the island. Both she and Tanya Chambers, owner of the Crazy Cajun restaurant, love how hundreds of people gather on the dock when the boats come back in at the end of the day.
“Everyone cheers for the catches when they’re put on the leaderboard and it’s really cool to be there,” Chambers says.
The tournament’s fish categories are proof of just how dynamic and abundant the sealife on the Texas Gulf coast is. Offshore includes sailfish, barracuda, dorado mahi, and the most desirable, blue marlin and tarpon. The Bay and Surf categories are also a plentitude of species, like flounder, gafftop, redfish, and black drum.
D.J. Wernecke of South Padre Island has competed in the Roundup the past three years and eagerly returns this year for his fourth. Last year he won the title of Grand Bay/Surf Champion by reeling in a 12.7-pound, 29.625-inch black drum, as well as fish in three other categories. His son Jaxon, 11, fished with him three years ago and won second place in the youth trout category, while his older son Luke, 15, joined him last year and won first place in youth black drum.
Wernecke loves the welcoming attitude of the tournament. “All of the committee members and fishermen were so nice and made me feel like I’ve been a part of the tournament for years,” he says. “I felt like I belonged.”
Keeping with the tournament’s family-friendly attitude, all ages of anglers are welcome to participate. In the Piggy Perch contest, kids under 12 fish for the perch variety that’s bountiful near docks off the Gulf, and it’s a great way to build a lifelong love of fishing.
“Kids have an easy time catching them, and they have categories like biggest and smallest and more so everyone usually wins something,” says boat captain Strain, who is also a former executive director of the Port Aransas Museum and former director of the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association.
Registration for the competition is open to anyone, and if you don’t own the gear or a boat yourself, you can rent what you need and pay for a charter to take you out. Registered contestants can even join a bay fishing trip boat (usual cost is $54 for three-and-a-half hours) or just stand on the jetty and try to snag a winner.
Not ready to wade into the competition yourself? There’s still plenty for visitors to do at the tournament, like fish weigh-in viewings, nightly cocktails and parties open to all, and plenty of chances to hear a few fish stories from the winners.
