InTheBite

Bay Point Billfish Open Begins

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PANAMA CITY, Fla.—More than a decade after the last Bay Point Billfish Tournament, a new Blue Marlin tournament is coming back to the newly rebuilt docks at Point South Marina at Bay Point.

A local group of four is spearheading the charge to put together the Bay Point Billfish Open, a weeklong dock party and fishing tournament set for the last week in June, with the first edition of that event set for the summer of 2023.

The event will host live music, an in-and-out of the water boat show, food and drinks, and some big time sportfishing, including many of the best teams competing along the Gulf Coast each summer.

The goal is to both bring back the incredible atmosphere that was a part of the original Bay Point Billfish Tournament that ran from 1984 to 2012 and attracted thousands of locals and visitors alike to the marina each July.

Just as the newly rebuilt marina has been brought back better than ever, expectations for the new Bay Point Billfish Open include a step up in terms of the music, food and competition for big money prizes, with teams fishing for blue marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin.

Bay County businessman George Roberts, among the group bringing the event back, participated in the last 10 years of the old Bay Point Billfish tournament and placed several times. He is honored to be part of bringing back the Bay Point Billfish Open, saying, “We intend to make it an awesome tournament, the best on the Gulf Coast!”

Bert Merritt has joined on as the event’s Tournament Director. Merritt’s resume includes 30 years of coordinating billfish tournaments along the Gulf Coast.

Visitors who previously attended the Bay Point Billfish Tournament will no doubt notice the wider docks and updated facilities offered at the newly rebuilt marina, and boat captains will appreciate the larger berths designed to accommodate today’s modern sportfishing vessels.

“It’s hard to overstate just how vital the Point South Marina at Bay Point is for the community,” says Marina Manager Justin Bannerman. “The St. Joe Company was able to rebuild the marina better than ever following the destruction of Hurricane Michael, knowing that when we reopened it would signify a major milestone in healing and renewal. Being able to once again host a major sportfishing event like the Bay Point Billfish Open is exciting for us, and we look forward to welcoming locals and the fishing community back.”

The inaugural Bay Point Billfish Open will take place from Wednesday, June 28th through Sunday, July 2nd. Those interested in registering for the tournament, and those interested in sponsorship possibilities, can get more information on the Bay Point Billfish Open website or can call the Tournament Director at 850-380-8961.

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For more information:
Bert Merritt
Tournament Director
850.380.8961
https://www.baypointbillfishopen.com

Escape Plan: Adventure Awaits in Quepos, Costa Rica

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Beautiful aerial view of the Marina in Quepos Costa Rica

By Ben Begovic

They say a picture tells a thousand words. If “they” are correct, the photo of a traveling angler with grin from ear to ear aboard The Hooker releasing blue marlin under the watchful eye of Capt. Skip Smith speaks volumes. It’s an exotic image like this snapped off the beaten path that triggers the adventurous spirit in all of us.
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Chef’s Take: Dolphin

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by Nichole Osinski

Mahi-mahi, dolphin, dorado, Coryphaena hippurus, whatever you call it, this fish is a favorite among those who like to eat what they catch. Whether you’re out on the boat wanting an easy-to-make meal or at home and in the mood for a more complicated dish, bringing mahi to the table is always a win in our book. This surface-dwelling fish is a versatile protein that isn’t limited to a single style of cooking.

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A Taste of Sportfishing: Galaxy Diner

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Galaxy Diner as seen from outside.
By Colleen Leidner

Minutes from Stuart, Florida’s Willis Boatworks on Kanner Highway (formerly American Custom Yachts), there is a charming little restaurant named Galaxy Diner owned and operated by two gentlemen and their families.

Nain Mora and Greivin Chacon have been partners for five years. They began working with each other in the 90s in Chester, New Jersey. “We built a family bond back in New Jersey, and that’s where we learned all of what we know,” Chacon says.

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July 19-24, 2022 Tournament Results

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FURUNO GULF COAST DIVISION

Lone Star Shootout

Congratulations to InTheBite Magazine contributor Capt. Kevin Deerman for winning the Heaviest Blue Marlin with his 680.5-pound catch in the Lone Star Shootout held July 19-24 in Port O’Connor, Texas.

1st Place Release: El Patron, Capt. Clayton Martignoni

2nd Place Release: Why Knot, Capt. Todd Penick

3rd Place Release: Mi Novia, Capt. Richard Weischwill

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New 2023 Tackle For Bluewater Crews

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InTheBite was on hand for the 2022 ICAST Tackle Show held July 19-22, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.  Here are a few of the new products some of you may want to upgrade for the upcoming season. 

Electric Reel

New for 2023 Miya Epoch Teaser reels include a variable speed dial and white in color. Pricing available soon.

Miya Epoch US-9 Teaser Reels

New for 2023 from Miya Epoch is the upgraded US-9 teaser reel. The traditional green case color has been replaced with white color and a new easy to access speed dial lets you moderate the retrieval speed. They will be available later this year.     

spinning fishing reel

The new line of PENN Authority reels just won Best of Category “Saltwater Reel” during the 2022 ICAST fishing tackle show

New PENN Authority Reels

The new line of PENN Authority reels just won Best of Category “Saltwater Reel” during the 2022 ICAST fishing tackle show.  

The PENN Authority boasts an impressive IPX8-rated sealed body and spool that allows the reel to be submerged 1-meter for 30 minutes, and stands up to the most extreme saltwater exposure, spray and wash without suffering water intrusion. Using the best materials on the market, the CNC Gear technology features a stainless-steel gear train and pinion gear and is designed to be better supported overall to allow for long-term durability. It is machined out of a solid piece of metal, ensuring exact alignment, smooth long-term performance, and maximizing torque when trying to get that last wind on a hard-fighting fish. The full metal body, side-plate, and rotor keep gears protected and eliminate flex in the reel’s frame, ensuring rigidity under the heaviest loads.

The Authority reel super spinner far surpasses the durability and performance required and comes into the market with sizes ranging from 2500–10500 making it the most durable best-in-class reel on the market. Four high-speed models are also available (2500-4500-6500-8500).

Available: September 2022

Price: $499.95 – 599.95

 

shimano spinning reel

The new Shimano Saragosa SW BFC Spinning Reel is purpose built for billfishing.

New for 2023 Shimano Saragosa SW BFC 

Purpose-built to serve the dedicated billfish angler, the Shimano Saragosa SW BFC Spinning Reel is the only spinning reel to reach for when big checks and trophy billfish are on the line. The Saragosa SW BFC is the spinning reel counterpart to the legendary Talica 20BFC in Shimano’s Billfish Concept lineup. The Saragosa BFC is built specifically for things like tossing live baits at billfish tailing down sea or cutting through bait balls on the surface. Featuring a lower and more gradual drag curve than the battle-tested Saragosa SW A, the Saragosa BFC is optimized for fighting sailfish, white marlin, and other billfish varieties on lighter, and more often monofilament line. By combining the 6.2:1 gear ratio with an enlarged spool, the Saragosa BFC achieves a blazing fast 56in of line retrieved per handle turn, which is exactly what billfish anglers need to stay tight when trying to keep up with some of the fastest swimming fish on earth. To ensure smooth and consistent drag performance during long battles, Shimano’s Rigid Support Drag enhances spool support by reducing play and deflection 

of the spool. Shimano technologies that anglers have come to depend to protect their reels from the elements such as X-Shield and X-Protect keep water away from key internal components to preserve smoothness and operational proficiency for many seasons out on the water. With the Saragosa SW BFC, anglers can target billfish with confidence in their spinning gear knowing they have the right tool that was expertly designed for the job.

MSRP $339.99

For more information check out the video from Shimano here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeWF3hOni9M

Plastic baitfishiplastic baitfish

FishRazr Dredge Baits

These dredge baits from FIshRazr caught our eye. The detail of a baitfish profile in both Bonito and Tinker Mackerel is sure to fool plenty of billfish. Check out their website for plenty of bluewater tackle options. https://fishrazr.com/

 

plastic bottle in water

Purpose made sunscreen for those who work in the sun.

High Performance Sunscreen

Here’s a new company who is specializing on protecting athletes and those of you who make a living in the sun. 

Watermans High-Performance Sunscreens are purpose-built for athletes and adventurers. If you live life in wind, water and waves, Watermans is the protection you need to Outlast the Day. We haven’t used it but if you want to give it a try check out their website: https://gowatermans.com/

diver down flag and postable air compressor

Battery powered with a 30′ hose and lasting up to 60′ minutes.

Blu3 Compact Battery Powered Dive System

This caught our eye as a small compact option for diving and as a good option for checking the bottom of your sportfish boat. 

Nomad is a battery powered dive system that delivers you compressed air from the surface through a hose as you breathe underwater to a maximum depth of 30 feet. Extremely compact and user-friendly, Nomad provides 45-60+ minutes of dive time per battery, depending on diver usage. 

MSRP: $2000-$3000

https://www.diveblu3.com/

 

 

 

This is the 2022 Best In Show overall product and a great story on how this product came to be. You’ll want to watch this video on the PacBak website. Its not just a cooler. https://pacbak.com/

Something Good is Brewing in the Sportfishing Community, Introducing Afuera Coffee Co.

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Afuera Coffee Co. helps change the world, one cup at a time. We source premium coffees from the best & most sustainable farms from around the world, providing lovers of the outdoors with the fuel they need for their adventures.

Every action, both big and small, is an opportunity to make a positive impact. Something as simple as purchasing your monthly bag of coffee really can do some good! We believe that put together, it’s all the small, positive actions that can make the biggest difference in time.

Afuera Coffe Co. mug on the ground with grass in the backgroundAfuera Coffee Co.’s mission is simple: to provide convenient coffee subscriptions that fuel your passions and to support the preservation of our natural environments. We chose Afuera, meaning “outside” in Spanish, as our name because it is at the heart of everything we do and everything we are. 5% of every sale, not just profits, is donated to charities and organizations that actively restore and preserve our outdoors, so that it can be enjoyed by the people of today as well as of tomorrow.

We aim to build a community of people who are just as passionate about exploring the world around them as they are about protecting it. Hence our motto, “Do Good And Go Afuera.”

We hope our coffee helps start your mornings on the right foot and powers your outdoor adventures, just as it does for us! Learn more about us!

Blue Sky Wins the Carolina Billfish Classic

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The Blue Sky with crew onboard.

The Blue Sky with crew onboard. (The Buckskin Billfish/Cameron J. Rhodes)

By Zachary Granat

The Carolina Billfish Classic, part of the South Carolina Governor’s Cup, concluded June 25 with The Blue Sky winning first place. In second was the Showtime, followed by the Buddy Rowe in third.

These were just three of the 53 boats that participated in the tournament, which lasted from Wednesday June 22 to Saturday June 25 at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. Final registration ended on June 22, and the fishing itself lasted from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day from June 23 to June 25.

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Pay to Play: The Cost of Sportfishing

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boat cost

Owning a boat is undoubtedly expensive and that last check you sign before driving your new boat home is just the tip of the iceberg. Budgets are in the eye of the beholder as operating costs can vary greatly depending on how many days, weeks or months the boat will be in use and also how extensive your travel or tournament participation will be.

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