Reels & Spears Gulf Classic

The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation’s Inaugural Reels & Spears Gulf Classic is an angling and spearfishing tournament benefiting the Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to interring Veterans, First Responders, and their K9s in prepositioned artificial reefs. The tournament includes Spearfishing and Small Boat & Large Boat Angling targeting Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack and Lionfish, with cash awards to be announced.

All rules are subject to change, and will be solidified at the Mandatory Captain’s Meeting on Friday, September 12, 2025.

Click HERE to register.

Tournament Dates

• Friday, September 12, 2025: Mandatory Captain’s Meeting
• Saturday, September 13, 2025: Fishing and Spearfishing Tournament & Festival Day

Location

Point South Marina at Bay Point, 3824 Hatteras Lane, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Schedule

Friday, September 12, 2025

• Registration: 4:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. (all waivers must be signed by 5:00 P.M.) Location TBA
• Mandatory Captain’s Meeting: 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. at TBA- TEAMS option for remote attendance) Teams have the option to get underway AFTER the Mandatory Captain’s Meeting (6:30 P.M.).
• Dinner/Launch Party: Following Captain’s Meeting (included for registered participants; extra meal tickets available at registration.)

Saturday, September 13, 2025

• Fishing/Spearfishing Begins: 5:00 A.M.
• Festivities (games, vendors, food & beverage tastings): 12:00 P.M. at Point South Marina at Bay Point (Panama City Beach, FL)
• Weigh-In/Scoring Station: 12:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
• Awards Ceremony: Time TBA

Registration

Process: Register online via Zeffy at: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/reels-and-spearsgulf-classic , warriormemorialreefs.org, or on their social media, using the QR code. Payment is due at registration. All participants must read and agree to tournament rules and regulations. ALL Participants must have SIGNED waivers and releases turned in prior to the Captains’ Meeting, digitally or hardcopies.

Team Composition:

• REELS: NO maximum participants per boat/ team.
• SPEARS: Minimum 2, NO maximum participants per boat/ team. Each participant must dive with at least one buddy for spearfishing.
• Team names must not be offensive. This is a family event. (determined by Tournament Director).

Packet: Includes one tournament T-shirt (for Early-bird Entries only), one dinner/ launch party ticket, and one raffle ticket per participant. Pick up at Captain’s Meeting.

Boat Requirements: Boats must meet Federal and Florida safety regulations. A tournament number card must be prominently displayed.

Contact: Each team must provide a phone number for post-weigh-in polygraph summons. Captains must be available within 20 minutes of a committee call.

Captain’s Meeting

• Mandatory Attendance: At least one representative per team must attend in person or via TEAMS, checking in during the meeting. Failure to check in disqualifies the team.
• Purpose: Review rules, announce changes, and answer questions. Rule changes will be posted on warriormemorialreefs.org and social media (Facebook, Instagram, X).
• Time/Location: 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M., Point South Marina at Bay Point, Marina Pool. 3824 Hatteras Lane, Panama City Beach, FL 32408.

 

Fishing/Spearfishing Hours

• Start: 5:00 A.M- MUST be back for weigh in by 7:00 PM., September 13, 2025
• End: All fish MUST be at the scoring station by 7:00 P.M., September 13, 2025
• Weather: Tournament reserves the right to postpone/ cancel tournament due to inclement weather, small boat advisories, or warnings, and of course in case of a hurricane. If the tournament is called, the tournament will resume on September 14th, with the same time schedule.

Target Species

• Snapper- Red Snapper
• Grouper- Red & Gag Grouper
• Amberjack- Greater Amberjack
• Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles, aka Red Lionfish/Devil Firefish)

Divisions

1. Reels- Heaviest Fish Per Team, Per Species
◦ Heaviest Fish Per Team, Per Species
◦ Target Species Categories : Snapper, Grouper & Amberjack

2. Spearfishing- Heaviest Fish Per Team, Per Species*
◦ Target Species: Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack & Lionfish*.
◦ Rules:
▪ Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack must be speared during tournament hours and presented whole (no missing heads/tails).
▪ Protective gloves and first aid kits for Lionfish* stings are recommended.
▪ Fish may be kept, donated for research/consumption, or properly disposed of by participants.

*Lionfish Category will be won by MOST fish brought in.

Weigh-In/Scoring Station

• Location: Point South Marina at Bay Point.
• Time: 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., September 13, 2025.
• Check-in: All boats MUST confirm at Bay Point Harbor and confirm via radio, subject to approach. Latest Boats MUST check-in by 6:00 P.M.

Reels Rules

• Must use rod and reel, hook and line for Reels Division.
• All tackle types (spinning, casting, fly) allowed; deep trolling devices permitted if attached to rod/reel.
• Fish may be brought by boat, or car/ truck (all crew present) to the scoring station.
• Coolers must be iced, with Lionfish.
• Staff weigh and count fish; team captain/designee should be present or nearby.
• Freshly mutilated fish (e.g., by propellers/ gaffe/ spear) are allowed.
• Lionfish must be preserved on ice; protective gloves recommended.
• In case of a tie, the earliest weighed-in fish wins.

Spearfishing Rules

• Lionfish, Snapper, Amberjack and Grouper must be speared using legal methods in permitted areas.
• Fish must be brought by boat (all crew present) or vehicle to the scoring station.
• Coolers must be iced, with Lionfish separated (in distinct containers, e.g., canisters, ziplock bags).
• Staff weigh and count fish; team captain/designee should be present or nearby.
• No freshly mutilated fish (e.g., by propellers) allowed. Weigh master may disqualify mutilated fish.
• Lionfish must be preserved on ice; protective gloves recommended.
• In case of a tie, the earliest weighed-in fish wins.

Regulations

• Participants must comply with all federal and state regulations, including licensing, size/bag limits, and circle hook requirements.
• All vessels targeting Snapper, Amberjack or Grouper must be Federally compliant in regards to boat safety and licensing.

Prizes and Awards

• Cash Awards: TBA . Pay Structure is based on amount of boats registered. (Check warriormemorialreefs.org for updates).
• Payment: Issued by bank check to the team’s designated payee within 7 days postceremony.
• Trophies: Given for each Biggest (Heaviest) Species Category.
• Raffle: Drawn at Captain’s Meeting & Awards Ceremony; participants must be registered.
• Calcutta: Rules & Pay Schedule TBA at Captain’s Meeting.

Communications

• Official channel: VHF 78
• Latest check-in with marina by 6:00

Eligibility

• Open to all sports fishermen (male and female).
• Persons convicted of fishing violations are ineligible for 5 years from the violation date.
• Eligibility disputes must be submitted in writing before the Captain’s Meeting.

Protests and Polygraph

• Protests: Will not be allowed. This is a charity event.
• Disqualification: This is a fundraising event. Unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g., aggressive behavior, social media attacks) or rule violations may lead to disqualification and forfeiture of fees/prizes.

Safety and Liability

• Participants compete at their own risk. The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, Point South Marina, sponsors, donors, volunteers and vendors are not liable for injuries or property damage.
• Captains are responsible for their vessel, crew, and wake per Federal Maritime Law.
• Teams must select a “boat buddy” for mechanical emergencies.
• All Spearfishers MUST have a dive buddy.

Promotional Use

• Participants agree to allow their names, awards, and photos/videos to be used for media, social media and promotional purposes by the Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation and sponsors.

Tax Liability

• Anglers are responsible for any tax liability from cash or prize winnings.

Sportsmanship

• This is a family friendly fundraiser benefiting the families of fallen warriors. Uphold honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. Vulgar profanity, aggression, or vulgar/ volatile behavior may result in disqualification from this and future tournaments.

MOST OF ALL- HAVE FUN!!!

TREASURE RAFFLE

Click here to purchase ticket(s) for your chance to win!

Join our nonprofit’s Reel’s & Spears Gulf Classic “Treasure” raffle for a chance to win various raffle prizes throughout the festival day (9/13/2025), plus an amazing mega BOTE package, worth $1.3K, whose winner will be chosen on September 30th, and announced on October 1st!!

• 1 Ticket – $10
• 3 Tickets – $25
• 6 Tickets – $50
• 14 Tickets – $100
• 32 Tickets – $200

Winners do not need to be present to win.