Tag: bay point billfish tournament

Bay Point Invitational Tournament Schedule

Kicking off this week, the Bay Point Billfish Invitational Fishing Tournament is back and with it, the Weighed Blue Marlin category returns as the most popular category of the tournament for both anglers and spectators alike.  With more than 10,000 spectators expected, vendors everywhere and boats everywhere, this year will truly be a year to remember.

The tournament has already kicked off Wednesday with a special trip for two combat-wounded U.S. service members for the second annual Soldier Salute. According to a press release today:

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Deane Messex and Sergeant Philip Gonzales were joined by local Bay Point resident and retired Army officer Dean Resch for a day of fishing in the Gulf on the 74’ Viking Game On courtesy of Galati Yacht Sales and the Washington, DC based Freedom Alliance.

The highlight of the fishing trip was when SSG Messex landed a 62.9-pound cobia! In the evening, the soldiers and their families enjoyed dining on their catch but the best part for the soldiers was knowing that their service and sacrifice is appreciated by grateful Americans.74-foot Viking Game One with veterans aboard.

Yachts have been arriving since yesterday for registration today with the official tournament kick-off to fire off tonight at 10 pm by the ceremonial Flare Gun start at the mouth of St. Andrews Pass.

You can keep an eye here for updates on the tournament, or you can mosey on over to www.baypointbillfish.com.

Tournament schedule below.  Cast away!

Thursday July 16

4:00pm Jet Flyover – Kicking Off the Opening of the 2009 Bay Point Invitational is a Jet Flyover from Tyndall Air Force Base!
5:30pm–8:00pm Tournament Team Optional Entry continues in the foyer of the Bay Point Marriott.
5:00pm–11:00pm Festival on the Docks! Boat Show, Tournament Village, Taste of the Town, Artist Colony, Great Music and Kid’s Play Area.
5:30pm–6:00pm PRIVATE – Mandatory Captain’s Meeting (Invitational & 40/40) located at the Bay Point Marriott on the Grand Lagoon Deck. Shuttles provided from Bay Point Marina.
6:00pm–8:15pm PRIVATE – Kick-Off Party in the Grand Lagoon Ballroom, Bay Point Marriott, sponsored by Ample Energy. Live music, great food and drink, silent auction and door prizes. Shuttles provided from Bay Point Marina.
5:30pm–9:00pm Rock Lobster performs LIVE on the Clear Channel Entertainment Stage.
9:00pm–9:30pm Opening Ceremonies. Presenting of the Arms and Colors by the J.R. Arnold Navy ROTC Honor Guards and sSinging of the Star Spangle Banner by Neysa Wilkins.
9:30pm Traditional Firing of the Bay Point Cannon and our spectacular Boat Parade.
10:00pm Official Start of the Tournament signaled by a Flare Gun start at the mouth of St. Andrews Pass.
10pm–11:30pm Nashville’s Rising Star, Singer and Songwriter Joanna Smith performs LIVE on the Clear Channel Entertainment Stage.
11:30pm Keep the Party going at Lime’s Bayside Grill and Restaurant on the Grand Lagoon!

Friday July 17th

11:30am–4:45pm Al Hubbard Kids Fishing Experience
4:45pm–5:45pm WEIGH-IN—KIDS Can’t Miss Weigh-Ins for the Al Hubbard Kids!
5:00pm Meet Miss Billfish, Jessie Lee!
5:00pm–11:00pm Festival on the Docks! Boat Show, Tournament Village, Taste of the Town, Artist Colony, Great Music and Kid’s Play Area.
6:00pm–11:00pm PRIVATE – VIP/Sponsor Area opens adjacent to the Weigh-In area sponsored by MTU and Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison.
6:00pm–10:00pm WEIGH-IN—40/40 Scales officially open and Weigh-Ins begin for the new 40/40 Shootout
6:00pm–11:00pm WEIGH-IN—INVITATIONAL Weigh-Ins for the Billfish Invitational … and the possible return of Big Blue!
11:00pm–Closing Keep the Party going at Lime’s Bayside Grill and Restaurant on the Grand Lagoon!

Saturday July 18th

5:00pm Meet Miss Billfish, Jessie Lee!
5:00pm–11:00pm Festival on the Docks! Boat Show, Tournament Village, Taste of the Town, Artist Colony, Great Music and Kid’s Play Area.
6:00pm–11:00pm PRIVATE – VIP/Sponsor Area opens adjacent to the Weigh-In area sponsored by MTU and Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison.
6:00pm–10:00pm THE BIG SHOW! Weigh-Ins begin for the Bay Point Invitational. Release Videos and instant results posted on the Big Screen
7:00pm–10:00pm LIVE Telecast of the Weigh-Ins on WJHG MY 7 and LIVE Webcast on WJHG.com.
11:00pm–Closing Keep the Party going at Lime’s Bayside Grill and Restaurant on the Grand Lagoon.

Bay Point Billfish Pledges Tournament Proceeds to Charity

Heading into its 26th year, the Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament continues to raise the billfish tournament bar by announcing its commitment to donate proceeds from the 2009 tournament to the St. Joe Community Foundation.

Along with proceeds from the event set for July 15-19 at Bay Point Marina, the entire entry fee from the 71st and final boat will go directly to the Foundation. The Invitational’s commitment to the Foundation is a natural evolution for the tournament, which from its inception has been deeply rooted in the Florida Gulf Coast community and has consistently supported local charities.

In 2008, the Invitational added two successful community-focused programs – the Soldier Salute and Al Hubbard Kids Fishing Experience. Event-goers and participants welcomed the events with open arms, and both events will be expanded for the 2009 tournament. The wonderful reception of these events helped affirm the decision by event organizers to take the tournament’s long-standing commitment to the community a step further by pledging its proceeds to the St. Joe Community Foundation.

“We are absolutely thrilled about the Invitational’s partnership with the St. Joe Foundation,” says Tournament Director Scott Burt. “We have the opportunity to take the success of our tournament and use it to support an organization that has a proven record in helping so many people and organizations in Northwest Florida.”

The St. Joe Community Foundation serves Florida’s Bay, Franklin, Gulf and Walton counties. Since its start in 1999, the non-profit Foundation has given more than $14 million in grants and pledges back to these Northwest Florida communities with a focus on improving quality of life by supporting education, healthcare, conservation and cultural projects. In Bay County alone, the Foundation has sponsored the Aquatics Center, teaching and learning grants, literacy programs, scholarship funds, transportation for disabled adults, Special Olympics athletes, children’s home renovations, arts and nature programs, and most recently the Audubon of Florida’s conservation efforts near St. Andrews Bay. For more information on the St. Joe Community Foundation, visit www.stjcf.com.

Along with its ongoing community efforts, the Bay Point Invitational reigns as the premier social event of the Panama City Beach area with more than 13,000 spectators over the tournament weekend enjoying live entertainment, the Sponsor Village, the Invitational’s World Famous Dock Walk and, of course, the Friday and Saturday night weigh-ins.

New to the 2009 event is the 40/40 Shootout – a separate division within the Invitational geared specifically to smaller competitive fishing boats. The “tournament within the Tournament” will feature 40 boats of 40 feet or less in length fishing for tuna, wahoo and dolphin.

With more than two decades of success under its belt, the Invitational is recognized as one of the most prestigious billfish tournaments along the billfish circuit and continues to make waves. The tournament made history during its 25th anniversary by going full release for all billfish – a significant change that was embraced by participants and spectators alike. In fact, 47 boats vied for nearly $1 million in prize money.
The Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament is hosted by the St. Joe Company and Bay Point Marina.

For more information, visit www.baypointbillfish.com.