BAY POINT BILLFISH OPEN LIVE UPDATES

90 boats in the field? Two clear options of running close or going a long distance? Sign us up! We’re on the ground here in Panama City Beach for the Bay Point Billfish Open, one of the largest tournaments in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Slightly different schedule this weekend, competing Thursday-Saturday. There’s a shotgun start at 10:00 AM local time, with a boat parade featuring all 90+ boats starting at 9:00 AM.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25: DAY 1
*ALL TIMES CENTRAL

7:30 AM: Lots of bladders on every boat. Gulf Coast Cowboys are fueled up for a long run. Third Coast Renegades are looking to likely fish like they do back home in Texas. Similar to Capt. Spencer Johnson and the Texas Lone Stars.

9:00 AM: IT’S TIME FOR A BOAT PARADE! All the boats are led out across Panama City Beach for the shotgun start.

10:00 AM: Hopefully not a bad omen, but the three fighter jets that were scheduled to fly over the full field became two after a reported bird strike.

10:05 AM: GULF COAST COWBOYS ARE COMING BACK IN. They’ve reported a bent prop, meaning they struck something on the way out. 

Four of the five blades are bent. The crew has to take the prop for repairs at a machine shop, hopefully they are running by the evening to be on the blue marlin in the morning. 

12:36 PM: THE TEXAS LONE STARS RELEASE A SAILFISH TO TAKE THE EARLY LEAD! That was quick. Bryan Richter is the angler of record, and the strategy looks to be going according to plan. I expected the Lone Stars to be fishing quickly, staying closer to home than the others making a long run. Also suspecting the Renegades and Black Flags to do the same.

LEADERBOARD AS OF 1:00 PM:
Texas Lone Stars - 75 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys
Third Coast Renegades
Mississippi Blues
Louisiana Canyons
West Florida Black Flags

2:32 PM: THIRD COAST RENEGADES ARE HOOKED UP! We are live on ESPN+ and Garrett Frazier is fighting standup. We believe it to be a sailfish.

2:39 PM: Renegades get the release and slide into second place.

LEADERBOARD AS OF 3:00 PM:
Texas Lone Stars - 75 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 75 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys
Mississippi Blues
Louisiana Canyons
West Florida Black Flags

3:05 PM: Jordon Benefield of the Gulf Coast Cowboys tells me that their prop will be ready for pickup at 5:00 PM local time. They’ll get the prop installed and have some work on their bow thruster before they head out. The Cowboys are hoping to be making way by 7:00 PM local time.

4:00 PM: We’re going off the air for day one of the Bay Point Billfish Open, but they’re still fishing until the sun goes down! We’ll keep you posted if there is any action.

4:36 PM: What did we tell you? They’re still fishing out there. The Texas Lone Stars release another sailfish. David Blackbird credited with the release and the additional 75 points, bringing the defending league champions’ total to 150.

6:12 PM: WE HAVE A NEW LEADER! Third Coast Renegades and Dylan Frazier release a blue marlin, climbing up to 525 Points.

7:02 PM: Texas Lone Stars hit back with another sailfish, bringing their total to 225 Points.

7:27 PM:  But the Renegades counter again with a sailfish of their own. Garrett Frazier gets his second sail and the Texas clubs are lighting up the leaderboard early as we expected.

Now while the sun is going down, the fishing may be over, but the action is not. SFC Insider Rudy Tomarchio and Gulf Division correspondent Sara Burk have been dockside with the Gulf Coast Cowboys watching the propeller re-installation.

7:44 PM: The Cowboys also had a bow thruster pump replaced, and the service specialist just arrived for that. 

9:14 PM: GULF COAST COWBOYS ARE OFF THE DOCK. 11 HOURS, 14 MINUTES LATER FROM THE SHOTGUN START.

DAY 1 LEADERBOARD:
Third Coast Renegades - 600 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 225 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys
Mississippi Blues
Louisiana Canyons
West Florida Black Flags

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 26: DAY 2

6:14 AM: MISSISSIPPI HAVE FOUND THE BLUE MARLIN! Adam Davidson releases one this morning to jump into second place, passing the Texas Lone Stars and only trailing the Third Coast Renegades.

7:45 AM: WE HAVE A NEW LEADER! Adam Davidson and the Blues release their second blue marlin of the day, and the Mississippi Blues are now out in front. 

8:40 AM: Meanwhile…the Gulf Coast Cowboys have arrived at their spot and look to find their first blue marlin of the tournament after an eventful day one at the dock.

8:47 AM: The Texas Lone Stars convert on a sailfish triple. Raul Perez (8:31 AM) Bryan Richter (8:35 AM) and not David Blackbird all combine for the additional 225 points. With six sailfish releases total, the 2025 league champs now have as many points as a single blue marlin (450) and sit in third.

9:13 AM: The Mississippi Blues are on the fish. Adam Davidson releases a white marlin, bringing their total to 1,000 points. Their lead is not safe though should the Third Coast Renegades find another blue. 

Also important to note: that white marlin gives the Blues the opportunity to cash in on the 200-point grand slam bonus should they release a sailfish this weekend as well. Both the Renegades and Blues are one billfish species away from a grand slam. The Renegades need a white marlin to complete their slam.

9:35 AM: The Louisiana Canyons were hooked up, but it was a shark. Time to reset and get back after it.

10:54 AM: Some more separation for the Renegades with Dylan Frazier releasing a sailfish, but to keep a safer lead, the defending Gulf Division champions are only up 125 points on the second place blues, so they are currently safe from another white marlin release. A sailfish released by the Blues would trigger the 200-point grand slam bonus and jump the Renegades, as would a blue marlin.

11:07 AM: WEST FLORIDA BLACK FLAGS HAVE JOINED THE PARTY: Donnie McMahon releases a sailfish to slide into fourth place.

Day 2 Leaderboard as of 11:30 AM
Third Coast Renegades - 1,125 Points
Mississippi Blues - 1,000 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 450 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 75 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys
Mississippi Blues
Louisiana Canyons

11:59 AM: Dylan Frazier adds another sailfish for the Renegades

12:18 PM: And another billfish for the Black Flags. Rose McMahon releases her first fish in SFC competition with a sailfish, bringing their total to 150.

12:27 PM: The Texas Lone Stars continue to find sailfish. Bryan Richter releases another one.

Day 2 Leaderboard as of 1:00 PM
Third Coast Renegades - 1,275 Points
Mississippi Blues - 1,000 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 525 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 150 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys
Louisiana Canyons

1:22 PM: We saw the Mississippi Blues rigging a large bonita they were rigging to feed to a blue marlin. Adam Davidson gets the release and that means we have another lead change! 

Day 2 Leaderboard as of 1:45 PM
Mississippi Blues - 1,450 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 1,275 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 525 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 150 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys
Louisiana Canyons

2:14 PM: Cowboys look to be on something. Nick Becker throws out a large pitch bait.

2:27 PM: Yet another large pitch bait deployed.

2:44 PM: Lone Stars have a white marlin hooked! They may have a second hooked too.

3:01 PM: Both Lone Stars’ fish are white marlin released by Bryan Richter and David Blackbird. That’s 200 points and also puts them one species away from a billfish grand slam and eligible for the 200 point bonus if and when they can find and successfully release a blue marlin.

Day 2 Leaderboard as of 3:05 PM
Mississippi Blues - 1,450 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 1,275 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 725 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 150 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys
Louisiana Canyons

3:05 PM: LONE STARS HOOKED UP AGAIN? Bryan Richter is back in the cockpit reeling again immediately after releasing their two white marlin. They're not hooked up but the boat is in a turn again and marking fish.

3:39 PM: GULF COAST COWBOYS RELEASE A BLUE MARLIN! Brian Kelley. That marks 18 hours, 25 minutes from leaving the dock to getting their first release.

3:51 PM: WE’VE GOT TWO HOOKUPS AT ONCE: Jaselyn Berthelot and Louisiana Canyons are in the fighting chair, but so is Dalton Benefield and the Gulf Coast Cowboys. They just had a release 20 minutes ago and they’re immediately on another fish.

3:53 PM: Aaaaaaaand they both broke off.

Day 2 Leaderboard as of 3:56 PM
Mississippi Blues - 1,450 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 1,275 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 725 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 450 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 150 Points
Louisiana Canyons

4:15 PM: West Florida Black Flags release another sailfish as we go off the air, with Rose McMahon getting her second release of the day.

Day 2 Leaderboard as of 5:00 PM
Mississippi Blues - 1,450 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 1,275 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 725 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 450 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 225 Points
Louisiana Canyons

5:29 PM: We may have to rename them the Texas Sail Stars for this weekend. David Blackbird releases another sailfish. Bringing their total to 800. They’re a little more than a blue marlin’s worth of points behind their in-state rivals.

Day 2 Leaderboard as of 6:00 PM
Mississippi Blues - 1,450 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 1,275 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 800 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 450 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 225 Points
Louisiana Canyons

6:05 PM: FROM THE PROPELLER SHOP TO THE PODIUM POSITIONS! Gulf Coast Cowboys release another blue marlin courtesy of Dalton Benefield, and they jump the Texas Lone Stars to fourth place.

Day 2 Leaderboard as of 6:15 PM
Mississippi Blues - 1,450 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 1,275 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 900 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 800 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 225 Points
Louisiana Canyons

7:14 PM: We’re not done yet folks. The Third Coast Renegades add another sailfish to their total courtesy of Dylan Frazier. They’re in striking distance of the leading Mississippi Blues, only behind 100 points.

7:34 PM: And the Lone Stars will not give up third place without a fight. Bryan Richter releases a white marlin to bring them even on points with the Gulf Coast Cowboys, but the Lone Stars are behind on time. Next fish between the two breaks the deadlock and resets the tiebreak advantage.

Day 2 Leaderboard as of 7:45 PM
Mississippi Blues - 1,450 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 1,350 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 900 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 900 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 225 Points
Louisiana Canyons

 

CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY, JUNE 27:

7:55 AM: CANYONS ARE ON THE BOARD. We finished off the day 2 recap article saying they need a fish to score points, and the Louisiana Canyons are first to record a release this morning. Jaselyn Berthelot racks up a sailfish.

9:13 AM: Renegades chipping away. Garrett Frazier releases a sailfish to take another 75 points out of the Blues’ lead.

9:47 AM: WE HAVE A NEW LEADER! The Third Coast renegades double up on billfish, with Garrett releasing another sail at 9:40 AM, and his son Dylan Frazier now releasing a blue marlin.

10:13 AM: LONE STARS BACK INTO THIRD. They jump the Gulf Coast Cowboys with another Bryan Richter sailfish, but that lead isn’t safe with only a 75 point boundary.

10:18 AM: MISSISSIPPI BLUES KEEPING UP! Adam Davidson releases a blue marlin to get back to within 50 points of the Renegades. Next fish regardless of species will result in a lead change should the Blues find one before the leaders.

10:27 AM: GULF COAST COWBOYS RELEASE ANOTHER BLUE MARLIN! Lori McDowell gets in on the action and the Cowboys jump the Lone Stars again for third, moving into striking distance of the top two boats.

Championship Saturday Leaderboard as of 10:37 AM
Third Coast Renegades - 1,950 Points
Mississippi Blues - 1,900 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 1,350 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 975 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 225 Points
Louisiana Canyons - 75 Points

12:06 PM: ANOTHER PROP ISSUE FOR THE COWBOYS. They have to pick up and head home, and are moving at a careful pace. Their day is over and third place is not secure with the Lone Stars fishing longer.

12:21 PM: Third Coast Renegades release another sailfish to take them over the 2,000 point threshold. Every fish they can stack will help them protect this lead until the other boats behind them start to head home.

Championship Saturday Leaderboard as of 12:25 PM
Third Coast Renegades - 2,025 Points
Mississippi Blues - 1,900 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 1,350 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 975 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 225 Points
Louisiana Canyons - 150 Points

1:50 PM: Lone Stars hooked up on another sailfish! Mark Blackbird, David’s son is reeling in what looks to be a calm day out in the Gulf of Mexico.

1:55 PM: They get the release and bring their score to 1,050. In striking distance of the Cowboys with a grand slam bonus should they find a blue marlin.

Championship Saturday Leaderboard as of 2:00 PM
Third Coast Renegades - 2,025 Points
Mississippi Blues - 1,900 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 1,350 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 1,050 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 225 Points
Louisiana Canyons - 150 Points

2:20 PM: Black Flags and Donny McMahon add another sailfish to their tally, adding some separation between them and the Louisiana Canyons.

2:23 PM: Louisiana Canyons keep pace with the Black Flags, with Jaselyn Berthelot releasing a white marlin. That fish makes them eligible for the grand slam bonus should they release a blue marlin.

3:00 PM: West Florida Black Flags are hooked up! Donnie McMahon is in the chair. Looking to see what it is.

3:09 PM: Looks like a sailfish release! Once again they are ahead of the Canyons on points.

Championship Saturday Leaderboard as of 4:00 PM
Third Coast Renegades - 2,025 Points
Mississippi Blues - 1,900 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 1,350 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 1,050 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 375 Points
Louisiana Canyons - 250 Points

4:00 PM: IT’S NOT OVER! Mississippi Blues looking for a sail closer to shore to earn the grand slam bonus.

5:00 PM: BLUES CAN’T FIND ONE! They pack up to head in, and it’s all over. Third Coast Renegades take it at Bay Point!

Final Leaderboard
Third Coast Renegades - 2,025 Points
Mississippi Blues - 1,900 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 1,350 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 1,050 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 375 Points
Louisiana Canyons - 325 Points