Panama City Beach Real Estate Market Conditions
Panama City Beach Real Estate Information | Market Conditions | Boating and Fishing

Panama City Beach has a new Saltwater Fishing Tournament and it maiden voyage is this summer! The Grand Lagoon National is sheduled for August 20-24, 2008. Panama City Beach’s other big tournament is the Bay Point Annual Billfish Invitational will be on July 9th to the 13th.

The Grand Lagoon National is really eight 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”.

Don’t forget the party, something Bill Spann prides himself on when looking back at all of the Bay Point tournaments. The Tournament Committee promises everything from boat walks passing million dollar yachts decked out to fish, the giant firework displays, big name entertainment, a family entertainment center, sponsors’ village, in-water Grand Lagoon tournament taxis, tournament cruises, huge kickoff parties and parades and the best food vendors at any fishing tournament anywhere - bar none.

In all, Spann is planning to hand out $1 million to winners, to hosting well over a thousand anglers, hundreds of boats and onshore crowds in the tens of thousands. “We have a lot of planning and work to do. But the commitments are there, the fish are swimming and the water gets warmer every day. I believe that we are not only going to be successful, I believe we will be successful enough in our first year to make a good contribution to local charities and to establish a tournament that will be here for years to come.”

UPDATE: Big Game and Offshore Division boats may depart from Home Port. High fuel prices result in cost saving rule changes.

Tight lines folks!
Kind regards, Capt. Mike Foate

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