Panama City, FL -
Big Fish...Big Money...Big Boats...Big Crowds...Hey! This is BIG!
The Bay Point Invitational has announced a return of the Weighed Blue Marlin category. The tournament will continue to feature a Catch and Release category for billfish, but has added a separate division specifically for anglers wanting to weigh in a blue marlin in excess of 103 inches.
Participants will be able to compete in both the catch and release division, and the weighed blue marlin division. Although entry into the tournament will automatically enter anglers into the catch and release division, participants must enter the weighed blue marlin division as a separate category.
The tournament entry fee was lowered to $6,500 this year and anglers will be able to opt into the weighed blue marlin division for an additional $2,000. Featuring a single winner jackpot in the weighed blue marlin category, the angler with the heaviest blue marlin will take home 100% of the additional weighed blue marlin entry fees.
The decision to weigh blue marlin was made partly in response to requests from past participants. While many anglers supported the Invitational's recent move to an all catch and release format, numerous participants expressed a desire to weigh in billfish.
"There's something about bringing a big blue home to Bay Point," said Steve Arndt, Marina Director at Bay Point Marina. "Everyone dreams about bringing in a monster blue, but to do it in front of a crowd of thousands is the pinnacle of sportfishing. That's what separates the Invitational from other billfish tournaments."
Now in its 26th year, the Invitational has a long history of giving back to the community and this year is no exception. The Bay Point Tournament Committee has refocused the tournament as a charity event to raise funds for local children's charities. All proceeds from the 2009 event will go to the St. Joe Community Foundation which will then distribute 100% of the funds raised to Anchorage Children's Home, the Boys and Girls Club of Bay County and the Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center.
Bigger prizes, bigger fish, bigger parties and bigger crowds...and bigger contributions to the tournament charities. 
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