PORT ARANSAS, Texas — The 88th Annual Deep Sea Roundup is taking place in Port Aransas this week.
Organizers said it is the oldest fishing tournament on the Gulf Coast. 408 people competed this year, coming from across Texas and out-of-state.
For some anglers on the water, it runs in the family.
"We enjoy seeing all the generations that come back year after year, and all the new people that enter and enjoy our tournament," Deep Sea Roundup Co-chair Kimberly Winton said.
Junior and adult anglers were out on the water on Friday. They will continue competing in the tournament on Saturday. To win, fish that are caught are judged by weight and, if the fish is only catch-and-release, by points.
13-year-old Kate Zahn said her family competed at this tournament for years and she started as a junior angler four years ago. She talked about her favorite part of this sport.
"Most of the time, this is when all my family gets together, and then it's kind of, like, relaxing, you just catch fish. It's a really cool experience," Zahn said.
Zahn was the junior angler champion for the last two tournaments. While her dad grew up in Port Aransas, she grew up and lives in Austin. She said they visit Port A often and compete in the tournament.
"We fish at the lake in Austin, so it's a lot different to see the environment and get used to it, so I think it's a really good challenge," Zahn said.
Another angler who was up for the challenge was Emily Clay. She is from Fort Worth and competed in the Deep Sea Roundup for the first time last year and was named an offshore grand champion. She was also the top woman angler.
"It was a crazy experience, it's fun, the adrenaline's rushing, so we had to come back and do it again," Clay said.
Clay started fishing at 7 a.m. on Friday. She said not knowing what you might catch fuels the excitement when you go out. She looks to repeat as champion in just her second Deep Sea Roundup.
"Last year was my first year to do any offshore fishing and I'm hooked now," Clay said.
The Bill and Bo Horn Memorial Fish Fry is at noon on Sunday at the Port Aransas Civic Center. The awards ceremony will follow.
