Bay Point Billfish Invitational Tournament

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Panama City Beach, FL -
Big Fish… Big Money… Big Boats… Big Crowds… Hey! This is BIG! Over $1 million in prize money … and a spectacular history of Big Fish! Florida’s top two record Blue Marlin were weighted in here. The largest Blue Marlin ever weighted in Florida was caught by Conrad Hawkins on the Lucky 2 in 2001. The second largest Blue Marlin ever weighted in Florida was caught by Barry Carr on the Sea Wolf in 2006. Both fish were weighted at the Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament. Now, that’s a record no other tournament can equal.

Bigger prizes, bigger fish, bigger parties and bigger crowds... and bigger contributions to the tournament charities.

A lot of things have changed since the tournament kicked off in 1984 at Bay Point Resort. In the beginning, there were few spectators on the docks to offer congratulations to the anglers. Today, tens of thousands flock to the Bay Point Marina to take part in the festivities which surround the tournament and cheer as each fish is weighed in. Wednesday and Thursday nights now host spectacular Captain and Fleet Parties… Northwest Florida’s “Party of the Year.”

The rules have changed, too, with a much greater emphasis on conservation. Sailfish and White Marlin are no longer on the leader board. In 1984, a 100 pound Blue Marlin was a legal tournament catch. Today, a tournament marlin must measure at least 98 inches and is more likely to weigh four hundred pounds.

Bigger prizes, bigger fish, bigger parties and bigger crowds... and bigger contributions to the tournament charities.

Tournament founder, Bill Spann says, "No billfish competition attracts more attention, or is more associated with good sportsmanship, charity, conservation and fellowship than the Bay Point Invitational Tournament. We're twenty-four years young and we plan to be here for as long as men and women yearn to be at sea, tempted by the sport of hunting great fish."