Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament

25th Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament
July 8, 2008
As reported by Scott Rossman, story reproduced by permission of WJHG-TV 7.

Gearing Up

The boats continue to sign up and the marina continues to "gear up." we're now just a day away from the official start to the Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament.

This year, in the 25th edition of the event, they are going to all catch and release in terms of blue marlin and the other billfish. There will still be big money to be had racking up catch and release points, those points verified by videotape.

They'll still be weighing tuna, wahoo, and dolphin so plenty of action is expected at the weigh in scales Friday and Saturday nights!

Chris Miller, the tournament co-director says, "The beauty always about the Bay Point Tournament is the further you get into the season, the fishing just lights up. And everything has been great this past weekend in Pensacola. And this week looks fantastic. The calm, the real calm sea conditions coming up, the weather for the event is going to be great here. And that blue water has been pushing in a little more. And that's what the fisherman are looking at, the blue water to run off and get to the big blue marlin. So everything's looking perfect for us, we're real grateful."

Dock parties are set for Wednesday and Thursday night; the boat parade is Thursday night. The weigh-ins are Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. Last year, the event handed out about a million bucks in prize money!