Coastal woman plays vital role in fishing rodeo

Behind the scenes of the 75th Annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, a remarkable woman plays a vital role in supporting the success of the event.

You’ve probably seen Barbara Viskup handling the fish after it comes in to be weighed.

Viskup, a volunteer, makes sure everyone is following the rules of the 75th Annual Deep Fishing Rodeo.

That’s because she is in charge of safety and compliance of participants.

Barbara has played this key role at the deep sea fishing rodeo for about 20 years.

And while the job isn’t for the faint of heart, Viskup explains why it’s necessary…

“Every time fish come in. It comes back to the bin,” Viskup said. “We have to gut the fish and check them out make sure there’s nothing wrong with the fish make sure nobody’s cheating by putting weights down in the fish and then we move them out to the ice and pack ice in them and all and put them on display.”

Barbara said this may be her last year assisting with the rodeo because she’s retiring and moving.