The Texas International Fishing Tournament started way back in 1934 by community leaders in Port Isabel as a way to let the rest of the country know that south Texas was still on the map. In 1933, a series of hurricanes and storms hit the Laguna Madre area, one of them especially devastating, and threatened to undo several decades of proactive tourism outreach. Missouri Pacific Railway and city fathers partnered to create an event to remind folks across the country that the fish were still biting in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters and in a big way. The Tarpon Rodeo started about the task of letting the nation know and ever since anglers have been packing up the gear and heading to the Tip of Texas. The Tarpon Rodeo was founded by Doyle Wells, a real estate broker and owner of several small businesses and a pioneer in helping to shape the future of South Padre Island. (Read the “Texas Saltwater Hall of Fame” here>>) The Tarpon Rodeo was changed to the TIFT and Doyle Wells brought recognition to the Port Isabel-South Padre Island area after winning “Texas Grand Champion” at the 1951, Texas International Fishing Tournament. In 1975, he guided one of his clients to a world record 210 lb. tarpon.
In the last seven decades the tournament has grown to the largest on the Texas Gulf Coast and is ranked
in the top ten billfish tournaments in the world. Family friendly and traditional, TIFT has a loyal
following and the fish are still biting. Bay, offshore and fly categories offer a place for every pole!
Visit TIFT.org for more event info.
Check out photos by Valerie Bates from the past: Valerie Galerie>>