The 36th Annual Optimist Fishing Rodeo will be held May 14th and 15th at Shoreline Park South. This year promises to be filled with fun, young and not so young anglers, and lots of wonderful prizes.

The entry fee of $20 is waived for all children under the age of 10 who have an adult registered for the event.

Anglers can purchase tickets at Gulf Breeze Bait and Tackle, Hot Spots Bait & Tackle, Dizzy Lizzy Bait & Tackle, Outcast Bait & Tackle, West6 Marine at W. Barrancas Avenue, or Tight Lines Bait and Tackle.

The weekend begins Saturday, May 14th, 2011 at 5 AM, and goes through Sunday, May 15th, 2011 at 5 PM. Weigh-in is on Saturday 3-6 PM, and Sunday, 2-5 PM. Awards will be presented after weigh-in is complete.

In 2010, there were over 180 anglers of all ages, and prizes were awarded in 14 different categories. For 2011, the categories include amberjack, blue fish, croaker, dolphin, flounder, grouper, king mackerel, ling/cobia, pompano, redfish, sheepshead, snapper, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, trigger, tuna, wahoo, white trout and whiting.

For children under 6, anyone who catches any size pin fish will receive a rod and reel award for their efforts.

The weekend promises to be great fun for adults and children alike. The prizes are substantial and numerous. Many local companies support the efforts of the Gulf Breeze Optimists by providing awards in the form of gift certificates to their businesses, or by placing ads in the program that everyone receives. Each fishing category will have the following awards: First Place: $100 gift certificate, Second Place: $50 gift certificate, and Third Place: $25 gift certificate. First place winners in each fish category will be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing of $1,000 presented by Optimist Club of Gulf Breeze

The Optimist Fishing Rodeo is one of the oldest fishing tournaments in the Pensacola area.