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

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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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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In-Sane-O Wins the First-Ever Chub Cay Classic

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Photo: Chub Cay Resort

March 23, 2002, Fly Zone Fishing—In-Sane-O, a custom Spencer sportfisher owned by Denton  Williams with Capt. John McNamara at the helm, won the inaugural Chub Cay Classic, which concluded this past weekend at the Chub Cay Resort and Marina in the Bahamas. In-Sane-O, based in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, was named the top boat after releasing two blue marlin and a sailfish for a total of 1,100 points. Under the all-billfish release format, blue marlin scored 500 points each. White marlin would have counted for 200 points had any been caught and sailfish were worth 100 points.

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Fish Tank Takes first for Second Leg of 2022 Ladies Only Tournament

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fish tank
Ladies Only Triple Crown Tournament, Feb. 4, 2022—Thirty-eight lady anglers making up 12 teams competed in the second leg of the second annual Ladies Only Triple Crown Tournament on Tuesday, February 22nd, leaving the docks well before 6:00 am. Lines in was called at 8:00 am and six minutes later Rum Runner called in the first release of the tournament, a sailfish.

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Bluewater Movements Announces New Statewide Billfish Tournament, The Florida Sailfish Cup

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Bluewater Movements, July 20, 2021—Bluewater Movements, a sports marketing and event company out of Pompano Beach, Florida is proud to introduce a new fishing tournament that will cover the entire state of Florida. The window of competition for the Florida Sailfish cup begins on November 1st, 2021 and continues through May 31st, 2022. Eligible species for the Sailfish Cup are, Sailfish, Blue Marlin, and White Marlin.

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Krazy Salt’s Wins the 2021 Bermuda Big Game Classic

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Photo courtesy Michelle Gaylord/Out Your Front Door/Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship

Hamilton Bermuda, Wednesday, July 14, 2021—Team Krazy Salt’s, an 80’ Viking based out of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida led by owner David Anderson Jr. with Captain Keith Greenberg and mates Mike Mahon, John Cashman and Jeff Thiel held off a charging field to win the 2021 Bermuda Big Game Classic.  Krazy Salt’s began the tournament with three blue marlin releases on day one to lead the tournament. They added another blue release on day two bringing their total points to 2,000.  Krazy Salt’s did not score on the final day but their 2,000–points were enough to hold off a charging field to take the win earning $109,050. Krazy Salt’s is holding the third place position in the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship heading into the final leg.

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Pelagic Hunter II: Journey to the Top of Big Rock

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By Nichole Osinski

“I’ve always wanted to be in the Big Rock,” Pelagic Hunter II Captain John Cruise III says thinking back on the many years he’s attended the tournament.

And in 2020, Cruise took his first step toward that goal by signing up for the Lady Angler Tournament. His wife would be competing, but fate, and foul weather, had other plans and it looked as if the Pelagic Hunter II wouldn’t be sharing the seas with other boats during those two days.

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