ECBC ranked in top 10 marlin tournaments

In the seven years since the inception of the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort it has become one of the top marlin tournaments in the world. ECBC is ranked as the fifth best marlin tournament.

In the May issue of "Marlin Magazine" 10 big game fish tournaments around the globe are ranked by the number of boat entries, the cash payout and the number of marlin caught and/or released.

"I was thrilled when the call came in that the magazine wanted to include ECBC in the article," said Shawna Meisner, ECBC tournament director. "I wasn't told where we ranked until the article came out. I had no idea we were fifth out of the top 10."

The first ECBC in 2003 lured 45 boats with a total cash pay out of $371,250. By the 2008 tournament the number of boats entered totaled 79 and the prize purse swelled to $1.5 million. (Not the largest number; in 2007, 85 boats registered.)

Currently, 15 boats have pre-registered for the 2009 tournament scheduled June 16-21.

The ECBC is in its seventh year due to two local business men who wanted to see a large scale tournament brought to the area, according to Meisner. After much deliberation and organization, Wayne Lewis, who owns the Lucky Snapper on the Destin Harbor and Joe Galati of Galati Yachts, brought the tournament idea before management at Sandestin in 2003.

"With the conceptual idea in place Sandestin brought in a company called Tournament Control," Meisner said. "The first tournament came together in less than six months."

Meisner became tournament director the following year.

The tournament coincides with the largest tourist season for Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Many of the events spawned by the tournament are open to the public and Meisner said one of the biggest draws is the weigh in when locals and guests of the resort crowd the dock.

The ECBC is one of three tournaments along the Gulf Coast during June and July. All three made the top 10.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic ranked sixth, with the biggest cash pay out of $1.4 million in 2007. The Bay Point Invitational, at Bay Point Marina in Panama City, ranks seventh with a prize purse of $1.4 million as well.

"There is a healthy competition among us," Meisner said. "We all promote each other. The success of each one (tournament) shows there is plenty to go around."

That sentiment holds true for organizers of the Bay Point Invitational.

"Several of the anglers that fish the ECBC have been loyal participants for years," said Scott Burt, co-tournament director for Bay Point Invitational.

BPI is limited to 71 boats. However, this year tournament organizers added a new venue, the 40/40 Shootout.

"This opened up the demographics of the tournament." Burt said. "The 40 foot center console boat is growing in popularity and we have a lot of interest in this division."

It is limited to 40 boats, 40 feet or less and is open to anyone who wants to join the tournament.

BPI added video of anglers in real time for the public to watch on a giant screen as marlin and other big game fish are caught offshore.

"This makes the entire tournament interactive for everyone," said Burk. "It really added to the appeal for locals and tourists to come out and be a part of the excitement."

Both, the ECBC and Bay Point Invitational, contribute all or a portion of the tournament proceeds to charity.

ECBC supports Harvest House with all the meat fish weighed during the event and the Billfish Foundation receives a portion of the proceeds.

Bay Point Invitational gives 100 percent of the proceeds to Anchor's Children Home, The Boys and Girls Club and the Children's Advocacy Center.

"It isn't just about finding the big marlin for the people who enter the tournament," said Burk. "Many of the participants take time to take a veteran fishing for a day and we also organize a separate tournament for 50 less fortunate children from the area. It makes it all worthwhile when we can give back to the community."

Schedules of events are available online for both tournaments and both Meisner and Burk encourage the public to participate.

Visit www.fishecbc.com or www.baypointbillfish.com for more information.