The oldest fishing tournament in the United States has been running since 1928, when tarpon still ran thick through Barataria Pass and the island's population swelled every July with anglers from across the Gulf South. The Rodeo is less about tarpon now (the species has shifted range) and more about the community reunion — Grand Isle's year-round population is under 1,500, but Rodeo weekend packs the island with thousands of fishermen, families, and spectators who treat it as a homecoming.
Quick facts
- ·Established in 1928 — the oldest fishing tournament in the United States.
- ·Held annually in late July on Grand Isle.
- ·Originally focused on tarpon — now includes multiple offshore species.
- ·Grand Isle's year-round population is under 1,500; the Rodeo multiplies it.
- ·The tournament is both a fishing competition and a community reunion.
- ·Grand Isle is ranked among the top 10 fishing destinations in the world.
- ·Categories include offshore, inshore, and junior divisions.
- ·The Rodeo weekend includes live music, food, and a parade.
Memories
Be the first to leave a memory at Grand Isle International Tarpon Rodeo.
Sign in to see memories your family has left at this place.
Editorial content compiled with AI assistance. Place details verified against public records.