By Marta Rose-Thorpe, Grand Lagoon Life
The 2021 PC Beach Fishing Rodeo will be hosted by Capt. Anderson’s Marina, Bay County’s largest and oldest privately-owned marina, from September 24 to October 10, 2021. Not since the Billfish Tournament has an event of this style and magnitude taken place in the Grand Lagoon, also known as the ‘East End’ of the beach. This event encompasses seventeen amazing days of the best fishing our wonderful Gulf Coast has to offer, with two daily weigh-ins along with prizes, daily entertainment, bounce houses, obstacle courses, cornhole competitions and Jenga, concerts and live entertainment, and all the best Gulf Coast culinary offerings and beverages available.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Tournament Director Joe Laymon to learn the details and behind-the-scenes particulars of this exciting inaugural event. How did this all begin? What is the origin of the PC Beach Fishing Rodeo?
“There was no tournament in our area any longer,” begins Joe. “So, the question arose, why was there no tournaments any longer? I remember how fun the Billfish Tournament was… it was a good time for everyone. I started to ask around, what had happened to it? and the response was that the anglers just hadn’t been catching the fish that they once had.”
But it seemed that everyone in the community wanted to see a fishing tournament happen again on the east end of the beach. “We’re the only part of the beach – the east end – that actually has the opportunity to host this type of an event and offer the boating life with quick access to the Gulf,” he explains, “which is one of the reasons many people come here.” Both locals and visitors get joy out of being at Capt. Anderson’s Marina, he observes. “There’s a breath of life that exists in the fishing and charter industry and being on or near the water every day. I’ve seen fathers, sons and grandfathers coming back over and over…multiple generations. It’s the most interesting entertainment that’s out on the beach.”
Joe knew putting on a fishing tournament was going to require a lot of work, so he and Capt. Mike Sullivan, owner of Capt. Mike Charters at Capt. Anderson’s Marina, put their heads together and began brainstorming a 17-day tournament. They looked at the 73-year-old Destin Fishing Rodeo to provide the template. “It seemed like a no-brainer to make a fishing tournament span three weekends, in case one or more of the weekends has inclement weather,” he states. The longer event will also give people a better opportunity to attend and better fit it around their schedules by having that many more days to choose from.
Opening Night of the PC Beach Fishing Rodeo is Friday, September 24. “From day one, we’re going to have weigh-ins. At 12:01 a.m. on September 24, boats are taking off and fishing. They’ll be back by 12 noon for their first weigh-in. Leader boards will be filled with the different species of fish, the sizes in weight, and the different divisions. The competition literally begins at the Kick-off Party with food vendors that will offer oysters, seafood, pizza, and burgers. Local live entertainment plays until 9/9:30 p.m. that night, with corn hole, Jenga, and an obstacle course for young people. Florida Watersports will showcase kayaks and paddleboards; Legendary Marine will feature their boats. We’ll have T-shirts and hats for the PC Beach Fishing Rodeo for sale.”
Joe and Mike decided to include the whole community in this event. “Not one entity is profiting,” he states. “We want to allow the local establishments and retailers to participate… we want everyone to be proud of and involved in this.” The Rodeo’s Schedule of Events includes fun “Rodeo After Parties” throughout the seventeen days at Sisters of the Sea, Pelican’s at the Sheraton PCB Resort, Hunts Oyster Bar, The Upper Deck, Buster’s Boardwalk, Dreamers Bar & Grill, Barracuda Beach, Patches Pub, Hammerhead Fred’s, and an Axe Throwing party one night at Capt. Anderson’s Marina. Sunday, October 10 – the final night of the Fishing Rodeo – merges with the Grand Lagoon’s Pirates of the High Seas festivities with pirates, live entertainment, fireworks, and an Awards Ceremony immediately following the final weigh-in.
“Anyone can be a part of this Rodeo,” says Joe. “Just go to the website at PCBeachFishingRodeo.com, check out the registered charter boats, and contact them directly to book a trip. All boats will book one to two trips per day.” Fish categories will include (categories may be added or taken off prior to the start of the tournament due to fishing regulations): King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Vermilion Snapper, Black Snapper, Amberjacks, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Gag Grouper, Red Grouper (and all other Grouper, and all Tuna. Registration Divisions include Pier / Jetties / Surf / Bridge – $25 (under 15 free); Kayak / Paddleboard – $50; Private Recreational Boat – $275; Charter Boat – $350; and Head Boat – $375. Prizes will be awarded daily, with monetary prizes given at the final Awards Ceremony. Kids 12 and under get a rod and a reel for weighing in a fish.
Sponsors include Host Sponsor: Capt. Anderson’s Marina; Weigh-In Sponsor: Half-Hitch Tackle; Boat Sponsor: Legendary Marine; Non-Motorized Vessel Sponsor: Florida Watersports; Food Sponsors: Hunts Oyster Bar, Paparazzi Gourmet Deli, Dockside Market & Grill; Beverage Sponsor: The Upper Deck Bar & Grill; T-Shirt Sponsor: Howell Tackle; Hat Sponsor: Hunts Oyster Bar; Rod & Reel Sponsor: Tarpon Docks Seafood; Banner Sponsors: Innovations FCU, Florida Watersports, SC Rowe, Miller Marine; others to come.
For additional details please contact Tournament Director Joe Laymon at (850) 258-4834.
