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The Bay Point Billfish Open returned to Point South Marina in Panama City Beach, Florida, with another impressive showing, bringing 86 boats to one of the Northern Gulf’s fastest-growing summer events. With blue marlin, release points, tuna, wahoo and dolphin all in play, the 2026 tournament delivered a packed leaderboard, an electric dockside atmosphere, and a whopping total payout of $1,851,900.
When the scales closed, the tournament’s top blue marlin belonged to Briar Patch. Led by Capt. Corey Hurst, with angler Brantley Adams on the rod, the Destin-based team brought a 582.5-pound blue marlin to the dock, claiming the top spot in the weighed blue marlin division and earning the tournament’s largest payout at $559,770. Hurst was also recognized with the Tommy Browning Captains Award, adding another honor to the team’s standout week.
The catch gave the tournament its headline fish, but the release division provided the volume. Crews combined to release 193 billfish, setting a new mark for the Bay Point Billfish Open and underscoring the strength of the Gulf bite throughout the tournament window.
It Just Takes Time claimed the Catch & Release title, earning $210,285. The team’s performance was led in large part by Leah Pratt and George Pratt, who also earned individual recognition as Top Lady Angler and Top Junior Angler, respectively. A Work of Art finished second in the release standings and earned $143,451, while Field Office rounded out the release podium with $107,010.
The gamefish divisions added another layer of excitement to the docks. C’mon Man weighed the tournament’s biggest tuna, a 236.5-pound yellowfin, and finished with $55,260 in total payout. At Last topped the wahoo division with a 21.7-pound fish, while Ken Flickenger aboard Betty J claimed heaviest dolphin honors.
Beyond the numbers, Bay Point once again delivered the electric, atmosphere that has helped fuel the event’s resurgence. Live public weigh-ins, incredible live entertainment including the likes of country legends Montgomery Gentry, and a packed marina each evening gave the tournament a concert-like feel, while the fleet delivered where it mattered most: on the water.
With a 582.5-pound blue marlin, 193 billfish released and $1,851,900 paid across the leaderboard, the 2026 Bay Point Billfish Open continued to build momentum as one of the premier tournament stops on the Northern Gulf Coast.
