Port St. Joe Marina Welcomes Big Bend Saltwater Classic

Father's Day Weekend, June 13 - 15, will bring the fishing festivities of the 20th annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic (BBSC), benefiting the Organization for Artificial Reefs, Inc. (OAR), to Port St. Joe. Constantly growing, the tournament has made Port St. Joe Marina the newest site for one of the three Official Weigh Stations. With tournament headquarters located at Carrabelle Boat Club in Carrabelle, Fl, the Port St. Joe Marina site will allow anglers from Port St. Joe and nearby areas to fish this non-profit tournament, offering more than $130,000 in cash and prizes, with ease and convenience.

Lines go in the water at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, June 13 to start off the reeling before the first weigh-in takes place from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Filled with local art and food vendors along with plenty of excitement and entertainment, the weigh-ins are a celebration of their own. On Saturday, the final weigh-in takes place from 3 to 7:30 p.m.

The activities in Port St. Joe for this landmark tournament of the Panhandle are not just limited to weigh-in events, though. Port St. Joe Marina, in Port St. Joe, will help kick-off the weekend by hosting one of the two Coastal Captains Meetings on Thursday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m., complete with live music from The Sauce Boss at the Dockside Café. Other tournament events include the Tallahassee Captains Meeting on Wednesday, June 11, at Famous Dave's BBQ, the BBSC Golf Tournament at St. James Bay in Carrabelle on Thursday, June 12, and the second Coastal Captains Meeting on Thursday, June 12, at Pirate's in Carrabelle at 6:00 p.m.

In Port St. Joe along with the other weigh stations at Carrabelle Boat Club and Panacea Harbor Marina, the rodeo-style tournament will not only raise money for OAR and create a competitive fishing environment, but it will also provide anglers with an opportunity to "Weigh a Fish and Win a Boat," to participate in the "Take a Soldier Fishing" program, and to win $130,000 in cash and prizes.

Beginning in 2007, registered anglers were given the opportunity to win a brand new boat, donated by Century Boats, for simply weighing a fish in the "Weigh a Fish Win a Boat" contest. Continuing in 2008, registered anglers will be able to put their name into a raffle to win a 20' Century center console with a 150 h.p. Yamaha motor and Magic Tilt trailer. To be eligible, all participants have to do is weigh in a tournament qualifying fish at any of the three BBSC weigh stations, and be present at the award ceremony in Carrabelle on Sunday for the big drawing.

Another growing Saltwater Classic program that is continuing in 2008 is the "Take a Soldier Fishing" program. This year, the BBSC is hosting airmen from Patrick Air Force Base to enjoy a weekend on the water. If you are interested in sponsoring a soldier for the 2008 Saltwater Classic, visit , or send an e-mail to .

For more information about registration and the tournament, please visit the BBSC website at . Happy fishing and we'll see you at Port St. Joe Marina!