It's the largest fishing tournament in the world, and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) was right in the middle of it on Saturday — fishing, not campaigning.
It's the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (ADSFR), drawing an expected 4,000 anglers and 100,000 spectators. (Sounds like it might be a pretty good place to campaign.)
Moore appeared to be relaxing after marathon work in the U.S. House that just ended funding for PBS, NPR and USAID for a savings to taxpayers of $9 billion. Moore may have been due a major rest after completing the first six months of President Donald Trump's second administration. The accomplishments of that new beginning are being compared with Franklin Roosevelt's famous "First Hundred Days" during the Great Depression, only FDR was adding programs and growing the size of government, while Trump, Moore and the Republican-controlled Congress are cutting back.
Here is a video of Moore and crew heading back from the Gulf of America to Dauphin Island for the weigh-in of their catch:
If you wonder why Moore's boat seems in such a hurry to get back, Saturday was his wife Heather Moore's birthday, so he had to take her out for a birthday dinner.
Moore had better get his fishing done, because he may get even busier soon. He has scheduled a "Big Announcement Event" on August 15, just under a month away. He has been rumored to announce his candidacy for an open U.S. Senate seat from Alabama.
Moore found himself on the ADSFR leaderboard in first place in the Vermillion Snapper category with a 2.61-pounder.
If he pulls the trigger and enters the Senate race, he would face Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson of Birmingham. Hudson was the Republican candidate for Sheriff of Jefferson County in 2024 but lost to the Democrat candidate in that majority Democrat county.
The seat is being left open by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), who opted not to run for re-election and instead run for Alabama governor. The governor's race is also an open seat as incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey is term-limited and constitutionally barred from running for a third consecutive term.
The ADSFR started on Friday and runs to Sunday on Dauphin Island.
For details and tickets, go here.
The rodeo headquarters and weigh-in are on Dauphin Island at 531 Lemoyne Drive.
ADSFR full schedule as follows:
- Thursday, July 17: Captain T-Bone's Liar's Contest. (7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.).
- Friday, July 18: 92nd Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo begins, with live music by The Molly Ringwalds (7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.).
- Saturday, July 19: 92nd Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo continues with live music by Hamilton Gardner (5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.).
- Sunday, July 20: 92nd Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo concludes with live music by The Big Reveal (starting at 3:00 p.m.).
Wouldn't it have been a hoot if Barry Moore had entered the annual liar's contest on Thursday night? He may not have been eligible to compete because the contest is for amateurs, and as a congressman, he is a professional.
Good luck, Barry Moore and fishing crew! And happy birthday, Heather Moore.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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