More than 40 fish were weighed in on Sunday at the Destin Fishing Rodeo. Here’s a look as some of the catches.

The count as of close Sunday was at 254.

-Tina Harbuck

It was almost 6 p.m. Sunday when the New Florida Girl’s American Spirit came in at the docks.

They weighed in a 9.2-pound grouper which was the largest for a junior angler on a party boat. The proud angler was 11-year-old Jeff Teel of Tennessee. His catch wasn’t that unusual but the one his dad, Tim, reeled in was.

Tim Teel hauled in a rainbow runner. The fish was shaped like a small amberjack, but had yellow and blue racing stripes down the side. Weighmaster Bruce Cheves explained to the crowd gathered at the docks that the rainbow runner is speedy in the water.

Although it was a nice one, there wasn’t a place for it on the leaderboard.

By the close of day Sunday, 254 fish had been weighed. Most of the captains said it was a bit rough on the Gulf of Mexico, but the fishing was still good.

The American Spirit was just one of about 14 boats that showed up with fish Sunday afternoon.

Don’t forget the scales are open daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the docks behind AJ’s. There is plenty of room in the bleachers for you — but come early.

-Tina Harbuck

It’s just a little after 2 p.m. down at the Destin Fishing Rodeo and the sun is out and all is well.

Things are so well, about 20 fish have already been weighed. As a matter of fact, junior angler Jason Hanson just weighed in a king mackerel and a red snapper. He was fishing aboard the Checkmate with Capt. George Eller.

A number of boats are still out and the crowd is starting to gather on the docks behind AJ’s.

Don’t forget the scales are open daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

So grab the kids and come on down and enjoy the afternoon.

- Tina Harbuck