Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament

Are You Ready?
26th Bay Point Invitational is Right Around the Corner.
July 7, 2009

Big Fun, Big Yachts, Big Fish, Big Money and even Bigger Parties… Are you ready?

The 2009 Bay Point Invitational is setting the stage for the 26th year in a row and Excitement is the name of the game. Whether you come for the great food & drink, the kids play area, shopping in the Tournament Village, live entertainment... or just to watch some of the best anglers in the Gulf, on some of the most beautiful sportfishing yachts in the Kids will find lots to do in the Kids Play Area.

Kids will find lots to do in the Kids Play Area.

world, weigh in some really big fish for some really big money, you'll find something to get your blood stirring.

More than 10,000 spectators will gather to stroll through the Tournament Village, take the world famous "Dock Walk" at Bay Point Marina to marvel at the spectacular sportfishing yachts, and watch the biggest tournament Weigh-In on the Gulf Coast. Where else would you want to be Thursday, Friday and Saturday July 16th–18th? Here's just a little of what you have to look forward to:

Artist Colony
Mark Ray, the Official Tournament Artist will be displaying his marine art, Creative Gems, the Official Tournament Jeweler will have a beautiful selection of jewelry available, Aquatic Impressions with their unique Gyotaku fish imprints is a must see along with John Townsend's marine sculptures and the ever-entertaining underwater world of Tony Ludovico.

Taste of the Town
Local eateries Guy Harvey's Island Grill, Hammerhead Fred's, Taste of the Town!

Hottie Hawg's, Shipwreck Island Waterpark and Repicci's Italian Ice will have plenty of fares to sample and will be well supported by the Official Soft Drink and Beers of the tournament—Coca-Cola, Miller Lite and Coors Light.

Live Entertainment
As usual there will be live entertainment on the Clear Channel Entertainment Stage in the Tournament Village throught the event, headlined by Nashville singer/songwriter Joanna Smith performing Thursday evening from 10:00-11:30pm. For the complete line-up check the SCHEDULE OF EVENTS.

For Tournament Participants
But let's not forget that the Bay Point Invitational is first and foremost a serious fishing competition. The Florida State Record blue marlin, a 1,046-pound monster, was caught here in 2001 by Conrad Hawkins onboard the Lucky 2, and over the years Bay Point has seen more than its fair share of impressive tuna, wahoo and dolphin at the scales. This year participants have even more to look forward to.

• Deals on dockage—call Steve Arndt at 850-628-1740 to find out how to qualify for up The Bay Point Invitational is a serious fishing competition - serious fun!

The Bay Point Invitational is a serious fishing competition - serious fun!

to a month’s free dockage.
• Exceptional Fuel Dock access (and discounts) with multiple slips and four high speed pumps backed up with a new 20,000 gallon diesel storage tank.
• Eight weigh-in slips and two electronic scales to minimize waiting in line.
• Freshly dredged entrance channel, basin and slips.
• It’s easy to sign up: Download Billfish Entry Form or Register On-Line.
• There's a new 40/40 Shootout for boats 40' and under, and it's just as easy to sign up: Download 40/40 Entry Form or Register for the 40/40 On-Line—but hurry, it's limited to 40 boats.

Live Telecast and Webcast
The big screen JumboTron returns this year along with emcee Scott Rossman and live telecast and webcast on WJHG-TV during the Saturday evening weigh in.

Only at the Bay Point Invitational the the third week in July. Are you ready?