We just launched the website for a new and really cool fishing tournament coming to Panama City Beach!

The Grand Lagoon National takes place August 20-24, 2008 and will have seven divisions... including a Big Game division for Big Blue!

Grand Lagoon National - America's Saltwater Fishing Tournament - August 20-24, 2008

The same people that brought your the highly successful Billfish Tournament in Bay Point are now behind this new tournament... so, expect a good time and some great competition!



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Panama City Beach, Florida
The Grand Lagoon National, scheduled for August 20-24, 2008, is really seven tournaments in one. Organizers are convinced that the unique format will appeal to virtually every kind of saltwater fishing enthusiast. A Big Game division, crafted to attract million dollar yachts and experienced competitors, will hunt for the elusive giant Blue Marlin, the Swordfish and the large Tuna that populate the Gulf's summer waters. A Catch and Release category will also be provided for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Swordfish and Sailfish. An Offshore Division will fish for Wahoo, Dolphin, Red Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack. An Inshore Division, limited to boats of twenty-nine feet in length or less, will fish for Red Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack and King Mackerel. To appeal to devotees of the Bay, a Flats Division will feature a Spanish Mackerel, Trout and Redfish competition. For visitors to the beach, families and those who love to bottom fish, a Party Boat Division will fish for Red Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack and will host a special Junior Anglers' contest. What is being billed as “America's Saltwater Fishing Tournament” will even include a special Dive Division for those who like to fish below the waters of the Gulf.

Bill Spann, who founded and for twenty-three years served as Chairman of one of the nation's most recognized fishing tournaments, the Bay Point Annual Billfish Invitational, will serve as Tournament Chairman of the new event and is convinced that it will quickly establish itself as a tournament no serious saltwater enthusiast will want to miss. "The breadth of facilities, quality of fishing and the inclusiveness of this format justify the name “Grand Lagoon National"... click for more: Grand Lagoon National - America's Saltwater Fishing Tournament - August 20-24, 2008

OK - so I don't fish. But, the Bay Point Billfish Tournament used to be my favorite party of the year, so... this new location on Grand Lagoon is going to be even better.

I understand there are plans underway to offer VIP seating upstairs at Treasure Ship, Boatyard and in front of Capt. Anderson's????

When will we know? How much? I want a front row seat for the fireworks and the boats coming in and weighing the big fish and the bands... who's playing???

Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, the official sponsor and host, will offer two VIP packages starting at $99 per night to include deluxe accommodations in studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums complete with fully-equipped kitchens, and washers and dryers. For more information on the Angler VIP package and the Spectator VIP package, call (800) 874-8686 or visit www.edgewaterbeachresort.com.

Yes, this tournament begins next week and is sure to be a hit. We'll be there for sure.

And, Edgewater is always a great place to stay.

Just got the word! The tournament is ON! Fay is predicted to be a 'non-event'.... Here's the report - and, now, there's more money too!!!

AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM GRAND LAGOON NATIONAL

REGARDING TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE CHANGES
Current weather forecasts and storm predictions suggest that Grand Lagoon National can safely proceed with tournament and festival planning for the week of August 18. We regret any inconvenience that arises from the modifications we have made to the tournament's schedule, but we feel a compelling responsibility to assure that fishing occurs on hospitable seas and that the festival proceeds absent threats of severe weather. With these priorities foremost in our considerations, we look forward to keeping our promise of hosting a spectacular tournament and the party of the year on Panama City Beach.

Based on current conditions, the Grand Lagoon National will honor the following agenda:

Boat Registration and check-in: Unchanged - Wednesday - Friday (1 p.m.. - 7 p.m.) Boatyard Restaurant.

Captains’ Meetings: All Captain and Angler meetings shall be held as scheduled, except for the Big Game Division. The Big Game Division Captains’ meeting will be held at 5 p.m. at the Boatyard Restaurant on Thursday night.
Fishing Days: Fishing days for all divisions, except party boat and charter boat, are as scheduled. Charter and Party Boat contests planned for Thursday have been canceled, but will proceed on the published schedule for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Wednesday Night Festivities: The Kickoff Party, Dock Walk, Miss Grand Lagoon Contest and meet Miss Grand Lagoon Party originally scheduled for Wednesday night have been rescheduled for Thursday night.

Thursday - Sunday: Other than the consolidation of Wednesday night events with Thursday night events, there will be no other festival changes. The Boat Show, Sponsor's Village, water taxi service and all other festival activities will commence at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

MIZ FAY GRAND CHAMPION AWARD STORM FAY AWARD

The potential disruptions caused by Tropical Storm Fay have reminded us of both the peril and glory of living on the edge of a saltwater paradise. In this the first year of the Grand Lagoon National, the beauty and the occasional turbulence of our environment have been cast across the face of our tournament.



In the hours spent considering planning options in response to weather reports, it became increasingly obvious to tournament organizers that the events of the days leading up to our first annual should not be forgotten. In recognition of the richness of our waters and a reminder of the respect they deserve, we have created the Miz Fay Grand Champion Award. This guaranteed $10,000 cash prize will be awarded to the angler who weighs the fish that comes closest to, or breaks by, the largest amount, the Florida State Record of any eligible tournament fish. The winner will be determined by dividing the weight of the heaviest fish in each category by the weight of the 2007 Florida State Record for the same species. The computation resulting the highest resulting percentage will be declared the Miz Fay Grand Champion. All fish in all divisions are eligible. An optional "Winner Take All" cash award will be added to the Optional Cash Award opportunities available based on the same rules.



* Kayak anglers will not be eligible because their division is a catch and release computation and the weight of fish is not determined.



Storm Related Tournament Rule Changes



Big Game

Because of difficulties likely to occur in transit from gulf ports to Panama City Beach in the days leading up to the tournament, we anticipate a smaller than originally predicted fleet of Big Game participants. In order to maintain a highly competitive environment for the participants in this division, we are discontinuing Catch and Release as a category and assigning the cash awards originally dedicated to that category equally to the Blue Marlin, Swordfish and Tuna categories. We are also establishing a $2,500 Optional Cash Award category for both Blue Marlin and Swordfish.

Tropical Storm Fay has forced the GLN committee to revise the tournament schedule again... below are the latest notes from GLN:

REVISED TOURNAMENT AGENDA

Thursday, August 21 - All festival events as scheduled.

Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23 - All festival events as scheduled. We will continue to monitor weather conditions.

Sunday, August 24 - ALL FESTIVAL EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED. Sunday’s event centered on weigh-in and award ceremonies.

NEW SCHEDULE (subject to detail planning)

Friday, August 29 - Captains Meetings and Our Second Kickoff Party

Saturday, August 30 - Fishing all Divisions - Weigh-in 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. (entertainment)

Sunday, August 31 - Fishing all Divisions - Weigh-in 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. (entertainment)

Monday, September 1 - Awards Ceremony at the Treasure Ship (entertainment)

More Info:
Tournament Update - Tropical Storm Fay

Fay is just a pain in the neck. At least we had ONE great night of partying - it was beautiful on the Lagoon last night - what a GREAT setting for a party! It is sad to see the big giant Billy Currington trucks pulling out before they even unload and set up this morning... but, Fay can not be ignored. So... here is the most recent update from Grand Lagoon organizer and tournament chairman, Bill Spann:

“Continuing concerns resulting from the approach of tropical storm Fay have caused the Grand Lagoon National organizing committee to cancel all scheduled events for Friday, August 22, Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24. These cancelations include the Billy Currington concert and the Andy Griggs concert. The revised tournament schedule for August 30, 31 and September 1 will be posted at the Grand Lagoon National website on Monday afternoon, August 25. We will reopen registration at that time.



We very much appreciate the support we have received from our many sponsors and the community at large. We are disappointed that we were unable to offer the high quality festival and entertainment schedule that we worked so hard to organize. We do, however, look forward to the clear skies of a new week and calm waters for a rescheduled tournament. We invite anglers everywhere to join us over the Labor Day weekend in making the Grand Lagoon National America’s saltwater fishing tournament.”



Over the weekend the team is working on a revised tournament plan. Please let us hear any ideas or suggestions you have... any points you feel should be considered?

From our friends at Half Hitch:
Tournament to be Rescheduled
by TOMPUTNAM on Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:43 am

The original plan to reschedule the tournament for Labor Day weekend has been changed. With the short notice it was felt that people would not have time to reschedule or would already have plans. Below are thoughts on possible dates.

September 6-7, this is the weekend after Labor Day, problem is here most people were off Monday, would they be able to take off Friday to attend the Captains meeting and get ready to fish Saturday and Sunday?

Sept 13-14, this would conflict with the Mexico Beach King Mackerel Tournament, MBRA.

Sept 20-21, this is the Schooners Lobster Tournament.

Sept 27-28, this is Thunderbeach, also the date when Treasure Island King Mackerel Tournament was for many years, they are not having it this year. This looks like maybe the best weekend.

The Tournament is also looking at lowering the entry fee, what is everyone's thoughts?? Lower entry fees means lower prize money unless more boats enter. This would allow more people to enter the tournament, if anglers wanted to compete for greater prizes they could enter the optional entry categories.

If anyone has a suggestion to make the tournament better please feel free to email me, tom@halfhitch.com and I will make sure the Tournament Committee discusses the suggestion.

The Tournament Committee will meet again today, Monday. I will post changes as soon as they are made.

Tom Putnam
Half Hitch Tackle
888-668-9810
850-234-2621
tom@halfhitch.comTOMPUTNAM

Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:08 am
Private message

GRAND LAGOON NATIONAL COMMITTED TO HOSTING 2008 TOURNAMENT





Tropical storm Fay may have rained on our parade but it did not dampen our spirits. We’re committed to making the Grand Lagoon National America’s saltwater fishing tournament and we are not going to let the turbulence of an inhospitable sea dissuade us from showcasing the rich bounty of our bay and near coastal waters. Neither will we permit the rogue winds of an untimely storm to reduce our enthusiasm for promoting our world famous beaches, or building on our legacy as Florida’s number one recreational fishing destination.





As a sign of our commitment, we’ve rescheduled tournament activities for October 3rd, 4th and 5th. Grand Lagoon National is a fishing opportunity that simply will not go away and a party that won’t be called on account of rain. This is a good idea whose time has come and the organizers are prepared to make a statement today that we hope will resonate in years to come.



We want to earn the confidence of our anglers, our sponsors, our supporters and friends. We are, therefore, making changes to throw open the doors of this year’s tournament as a way of saying “thank you” for the opportunity and promising to all that we can be depended on to be here as a strong ally to Panama City Beach in general and anglers from across the south in particular.



We ask the fishing community to come join the hunt this October and to and help the Grand Lagoon National propel itself into 2009. Entry fees in all divisions will be reduced and eligible species refined to better reflect seasonal opportunities made available by the move to October.



Entry Fees (original fee noted in parentheses)



Big Game $2,500 for 2 crew and 4 anglers ($5,750)

Offshore $1,000 for 2 crew and 4 anglers ($1,150 for 2 anglers)

Inshore $500 for 4 anglers ($900 for 2 anglers)

Flats $250 for 2 anglers ($600 for 2 anglers)

Kayak and Canoe $100 per angler ($125)

Drive $100 per diver ($125)

Party Boat $25 - $100 per angler / all days ($75 - $100 per angler, per day)

Charter Boat $250 per boat, $100 per angler per day ($500 per boat $150-$200 per angler per day)



Additional details and onshore activities will be posted as planning progresses.

cool! glad to see everything is still on. I might have time to talk a friend into entering the flats division now...