Destin Fishing Rodeo Web site hopes to lure in folks

The Destin Fishing Rodeo Web site hasn’t just had a facelift, but an entire makeover.
Not only does it look different on the surface, but it has much more depth with all kinds of information now available about the Rodeo at your fingertips.
Joy Todd of Destin-ation.com, Inc. of Shalimar is the project manager and her 16-year-old daughter Andrea is the Webmaster behind the new look.
“She cut us a great deal,” said Helen Donaldson, executive director of the Rodeo.
The site, www.destinfishingrodeo.org, is filled with loads of fishing information about the Rodeo.
Todd said they originally thought the site could be handled with about 10 pages, however, they are now up to about 31 pages.
“The project tripled and it will continue to grow,” Todd said. “And Andrea will be doing the updating.”
This is Andrea’s first full project, and she has “put a lot of pride into it,” Todd said.
“And Helen is wonderful to work with. We listened to what she said she needed, then developed it around what she said. She sees the big picture. And anything we asked her for ... she gave us,” Todd said.
On the new site, anglers can register their boats, private or charter.
There is already a list on the Web site of all the charter boats that have registered thus far, along with their captains name, phone number and how many passengers the boat will hold. All that information is helpful if you are looking to book a boat for the October fishing Rodeo, which is free to anglers on registered boats.
The site also has a place where boat captains can register for the King Mackerel Jackpot as well as a list of the Rodeo rules and how someone can become a Rodeo member or sponsor.
It also has, in PDF format, past Rodeo winners for the past 10 years.
“It’s still a work in progress,” Donaldson said.
Another feature the site has is a Rodeo store, where folks can purchase a Rodeo T-shirt.
“We will add to the store as we get more things in,” Donaldson said, such as caps, jackets and sweatshirts.
And when the Rodeo begins, folks will be able to go to the Web site and keep track of leaders in the various divisions day by day.
“We’ll get it on as quickly as possible,” Donaldson said.
The Rodeo kicks off Oct. 1, but don’t wait until then to check it out. There’s plenty on the site now, including a video about Destin.