Local fishermen ready for a friendly marlin fishing competition

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) — Local fishermen are enjoying the second year of the return of the Bay Point Billfish Open.

For 28 years, the Bay Point Billfish Tournament was a staple in Panama City Beach.

“I grew up here,” said Chris Cramer, a local fisherman. “A dear friend brought me here with his wife when I was in my early teens. I was speechless walking down the pier looking at all these big battle wagons and gold reels. I was hooked.”

2012 marked the last opening until 2023, when the tournament made its long-awaited return. It allows some local sport fishermen to relive their childhood memories.

“It’s kind of like living a dream,” Cramer said. ” Here we are. We live it. I dreamed of it when I was a teenager and here we are. »

Anglers from all over the country travel to Panama City Beach for this tournament. For locals, the best competition takes place within the confines of Bay County.

“We know a lot of people who fish, so it’s a good rivalry,” said local fisherman Ted Howell. “The competition is good. It brings out the best in everyone.

The Gulf Coast is home to many famous fishing tournaments during the summer. For locals, nothing beats a competition in your own backyard.

“If you go to the other tournaments, which are cool and fun to do, but doing it here with your friends and having that friendly competition adds a lot to it,” Cramer said.

The competition has grown with 83 boats entered and more than $1 million in prize money.

“Seeing that energy build over and over again,” Howell said. “It’s clear and it’s ready to use.” »

The boats set off at 9am this morning. Weigh-ins will begin at 4pm on Friday and end at 8pm on Saturday evening.