Released on: March 21, 2008, 1:23 pm

Press Release Author: Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Press Release Summary: Panama City Beach, Florida, Fishing
Tournament Poised to Set Record


Press Release Body: PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2008) - The Grand Lagoon
National Saltwater Fishing Tournament makes its debut, Aug. 20 - 24 2008, in Panama
City Beach, Fla.
Hailed as "America's most all-inclusive sport-fishing tournament," the Grand Lagoon
National boasts six competitive divisions at four marinas for a purse totaling $1
million. The event is poised to become one of the nation's largest sport-fishing
tournaments. It is expected to draw more than 400 boats and 2,000 anglers from
across the country. An estimated 40,000 spectators will watch them compete during
four days of reel action and adventure in this award-winning Northwest Florida
beach destination on the Gulf of Mexico.
"Panama City Beach is delighted to be the home of this pioneering event," says Dan
Rowe, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"The waters here teem with blue and white marlin, tuna, sailfish, trout, redfish,
ladyfish, king mackerel, grouper, red snapper, amberjack and more. Anglers will
certainly not go away empty-handed."
The Grand Lagoon, located at the St. Andrews Bay entrance to the Gulf of Mexico,
has built a reputation as a world premier sport-fishing destination. Thanks to the
calm waters and balmy climate, fishing is a year-round pursuit in Panama City
Beach. Anglers discover a full range of opportunities here, from offshore fishing
to structure fishing in inshore waters.
Home to one of the country's largest sport fishing fleets, the region hosts more
than ten major fishing tournaments annually. At the 2001 Bay Point Billfish
Tournament in Panama City Beach, for instance, a 1,046-pound blue marlin was
caught, setting a new state record and weighing in as the world's 14th largest
catch. Florida's third biggest blue marlin also was caught in the Grand Lagoon,
tipping the scales at more than 998 pounds.
"As Florida's top destination for big game fishing, the Grand Lagoon affords us the
unique opportunity to make this event as inclusive as possible," says Bill Spann,
Grand Lagoon National chairman. Spann is well known in tournament circles as
founder of the Bay Point
Annual Billfish Tournament. Chairing this event for 23 years, he established one of
the nation's most prestigious sport-fishing tournaments.
"The region's diversity appeals to virtually every kind of saltwater fishing buff,
allowing them to compete in an unprecedented six divisions during the course of a
single tournament," Spann points out. "In the fishing world, a tournament of this
size and scope is totally new. Given the breadth of the facilities, the quality of
the fishing and the inclusiveness of this format, the Grand Lagoon National earns
its moniker as 'America's Saltwater Fishing Tournament."
Registration will take place March 1st -- August 18, with entry fees running $100
-- $6,000, depending on the division (see below). Register online at
http://www.grandlagoonnational.com. Or, call 850-522-0955 for information.
Commitment Runs Deep
The inaugural Grand Lagoon National brings together many of the region's largest
marinas and businesses under the auspices of the Grand Lagoon National Foundation,
Inc. Through this new partnership, the tournament will make available 1,500 slips
and dry racks at four marinas with dive and tour boats to accommodate thousands of
competitors and spectators throughout the event. Located in the heart of Panama
City Beach, the host marinas are:
 Capt. Anderson's Marina
 Treasure Island Marina
 Pirates Cove Marina
 Lighthouse Marina
Three landmark restaurants join the list of hosts, bringing a seating capacity of
more than 2,500 to the one-of-a-kind offerings. Each restaurant is located next to
a hosting marina. Diners will savor the bounty of the sea along with stunning,
waterfront views. "They'll see why Panama City Beach earns its reputation as the
'Seafood Capital of the South,'" Rowe says.
Hosting the Grand Lagoon National will be: Capt. Anderson's Restaurant, the
Treasure Ship Restaurant and Boatyard Restaurant. Established in 1967, Capt.
Anderson's enjoys many honors, including Southern Living's "Best Seafood Restaurant
award. In 2005, it was inducted into the Restaurant Hall Of Fame, Florida Trend
magazine's highest recognition for restaurants. The Treasure Ship Restaurant is
housed in a full-scale, 200-foot replica of Sir Francis Drake's The Golden Hind.
Entertainment is by pirates, providing face painting and animal balloon art for
little ones tableside. Finally, Boatyard Restaurant serves up fresh seafood and
casual dining with an innovative menu inspired by the flavors of the Florida Keys.
The nonprofit Grand Lagoon National Foundation will contribute a share of
tournament proceeds to area charities serving children and families.

Six-In-One Tournament
"With six divisions, the Grand Lagoon National is America's most all-inclusive
sport-fishing tournament, enabling seasoned and amateur anglers to compete in
pursuit of more than $1 million in cash prizes," Spann points out.
In the Big Game Division, experienced competitors will hunt the elusive giant blue
marlin, swordfish and large tuna that populate the Gulf's summer waters. A catch
and release category will be part of this division, targeting blue and white
marlin, swordfish and sailfish. Included in the Offshore Division will be wahoo,
dolphin, red snapper, grouper and amberjack. The Inshore Division, limited to boats
of 29 feet in length or smaller, will consist of 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 bottom-fishing enthusiasts, a Party Boat Division will focus on red
snapper, grouper and amberjack. This division will hold a Junior Anglers' contest.
Finally, the calm waters of St. Andrews Bay and their many artificial reefs and
wreck sites encouraged organizers to include a Dive Division for snapper, grouper
and amberjack.
Family Festivities Are Part of the Lure
Participants and spectators will enjoy plenty of onshore action as well. The Grand
Lagoon National will kick off with parties and parades. Tournament cruises and
weigh-in festivities at hosting marinas will follow. Also included in the family
entertainment will be live musical performances by nationally acclaimed artists. A
special area, the Sponsors' Village, will showcase the latest equipment, from
fishing gear to marine electronics and boating accessories. The tournament will
culminate with fireworks lighting up the sky high above the Gulf of Mexico.
"The sponsors are on board, the fish are swimming and the water gets warmer every
day," Spann notes. "The inaugural Grand Lagoon National will make a significant
contribution to the community and establish a first-of-its-kind tournament that
will be here for years to come."
For more information on the Grand Lagoon National Saltwater Fishing Tournament,
call 850-522-0955 or visit the official Web site,
http://www.grandlagoonnational.com.

About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering the clear,
emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The Northwest
Florida destination enjoys recognition as a top U.S. beach from Condé Nast Traveler,
USA Today, The Travel Channel, Southern Living, Dr. Beach and the Clean Beaches
Council. Family attractions, championship golf courses, sporting events, delectable
dining, predictably sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw
visitors to this seaside destination annually. For more information, call
1-800-PCBEACH or 850-233-6503, or visit the official Web site of the Panama City
Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.thebeachloversbeach.com.
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