These are exciting times as the countdown gets underway for the 71st annual Iberia Rod & Gun Saltwater Fishing Rodeo.

The ultra-popular three-day holiday event is less than one month away. As dozens of inshore and offshore fishermen across Acadiana start to make plans, organize crews and get their boat in tip-top shape, all will be hoping for favorable weather conditions for opening day on the Fourth of July through the third and final day on July 7, a Saturday, at Cypremort Point.

Up for grabs are bragging rights for at least another year. Will Best All-Around Fisherman and Boat Captains Award winners from last year successfully defend their hard-earned titles? Who will hook and weigh the heaviest fish in nine Inside Division categories, or the nine Junior Division categories, or the 12 Offshore Division categories?

Those and other questions will start getting answered at 12:01 a.m. on that first Thursday in July. For sure, the bulkhead near the IR&GC’s fishing rodeo site under the pavilion along Quintana Canal will start filling up once the digital scales open at 3 p.m. on Day 1.

Scales will be open Friday, the second day, from 3-6 p.m. and from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. Awards are scheduled to be presented at 3 p.m.

Several generations of Teche Area saltwater fishermen have competed in the annual fishing rodeo since its beginning in 1952 (the event was canceled one year) when the IR&GC president was Lloyd Porter. It’s been enjoyable talking to young anglers whose grandfathers and grandmothers also gave me their time to talk about their latest trip so many years ago.

People still love it and show up for the fishing rodeo, despite fuel prices and other events going on in their life. The move to pay cash prizes for first-, second- and third-place fish in the Inside and Offshore divisions was a good one in the 2010s.

It all doesn’t happen without the fishermen, of course, or the dedicated fishing rodeo officials from the IR&GC. They have been gearing up for the upcoming event with regular meetings starting Feb. 27.

To a man and woman, each IR&GC member urges those intending to fish the fishing rodeo to attend the annual Anglers Supper, which includes a free meal, raffles and door prizes. Scheduled for 6:30-9 p.m. July 2 at the Lydia American Legion Hall, it is the only time Calcutta tickets will be sold and it’s a perfect opportunity to buy fishing rodeo tickets for each angler on your boat.

As usual, there is a full lineup of entertainment planned.

The 3rd annual IR&GC Cornhole Tournament gets underway the first night right after the digital scales close at 6 p.m. A DJ will play music for the cornhole crowd and other visitors.

Live entertainment is on tap for the next two nights, starting Friday with Seasoned Soul, an Avery Island-based variety rock band, from 7-10 p.m. The lineup for the third and final day features Erath’s Cliff Bernard, a solo acoustic artist and singer, from 1-3 p.m.; Swampland Revival, a five-piece Cajun and Swamp pop band out of Youngsville, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and our own The Bad Boys from 7-10:30 p.m.

Showtime is just around the corner for the fishermen and fisherwomen, young and old, fishing rodeo officials, vendors and bands who converge on that fishing rodeo site. Let’s all start crossing our fingers wishing for calm winds and stormless days. 

DON SHOOPMAN is outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.