My Perdido

Pensacola Lighthouse Tours- Near Perdido Key

Another great addition for your "To-do" list

If you have never been to the Pensacola Lighthouse on the Naval Air Station put it on your list of things to do around Perdido Key.   They are having special tours for the next few months and now would be a great opportunity to see this historic site.  I ran across this article in the Military Notes Section of the paper as a testament to my suggestion.  More information on the lighthouse can be found here: Pensacola Light House

Written by Travis Griggs of the Pensacola News Journal

Night out at the lighthouse

The 150-year-old Pensacola Lighthouse at Pensacola Naval Air Station is opening its doors for ghost tours on full-moon nights through Nov. 2.

Three tours will be hosted each night during the full moon, and visitors will have a chance to climb the 177 steps to the top of the lighthouse, as well tour the basement and the famed "bloody bedroom," which is a favorite among paranormal enthusiasts and is not open to regular tour groups.

"They will be touring all areas of the lighthouse and hearing all of the ghostly tales of paranormal events that have supposedly occurred in the house," said Fonda Thomas, a lighthouse volunteer.

Tours begin at 7:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 6, Sept. 4, Oct. 4 and Nov. 2.

Thomas said the tour can only accept 36 people per time slot, and spaces are filling up fast.

"I have people booked until October now. Our September one is already sold out," Thomas said.

The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 7 to 11.

Details: Call 457-7095.

When the Pensacola Lighthouse reopened last year, I was told to write a story about it, and I wasn't exactly thrilled with the assignment. What's to see at a lighthouse? It couldn't be that great.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

Climbing the dizzying spiral staircase, soaking in the breathtaking view above, and being taken on a special tour of the "bloody bedroom" are some of the coolest things I've done as a reporter, and I've been on Air Force One.

Highly recommended.

 

My Favorite Fish Mongers

I am getting ready to fix fish tacos tonight and so I visited my favorite fish mongers at

Perdido Seafood. 

I never did know where that term "fish monger" came from but good old Wikipedia provides the answer.

"Fishmongers are trained at selecting and purchasing, handling, gutting, boning, filleting, displaying, merchandising and selling their product.  The fishmongers were one of the earliest guilds established in the City of London, being granted a Royal Charter by Edward I. Partnership with foreigners was forbidden and the sale of fish was tightly controlled to ensure freshness and restrain profit."

I don't have any reason, like free food, to recommend Perdido Seafood other than it is the best selection of fresh fish this side of Joe Patti's.   I know the fish has just come off the boat (except for the Tilapia nd Salmon obviously) and I think the world of such nice local folks like Johnny, Joy and T.C. who are there every day. Johnny and Joy Hatfield own and run the place and typically a few local friends help out in busy times like the summer tourist season but T.C. is usually there the majority of the time. I have mentioned her before in this blog as my "go-to" person when it comes to selecting the freshest of the fresh.  Johnny has 5 boats that bring it in daily so I can't ever complain about the freshness.  Typically you get fish caught that day or the day before unless the boats get stuck inside because of weather, mostly in the winter.  T.C. cuts most of the fish, makes the smoked tuna dip, cajun crab dip and recently a great and spicy gumbo.  In any case she knows all the scoop on the best season for a certain fish and when it was caught and when she cleaned and cut it.  She is a genuine character with a wide variety of tatoos and what I would politely call a "salty" vocabulary.  T.C. is also a loving Mom of two and it does not take long to see how much she cares for Johnny and Joy.  That does not keep her from teasing them both (especially Johnny) and embarassing him hourly with something that should not come out of the mouth of a polite southern belle.

I can't go in the place without thinking of the day I pulled up in front of Johnny's and Joy's home in Grande Lagoon a few days after Hurricane Ivan.  I had already been by their fish market under the Theo Barrs Bridge and knew their business had been devastated.  It was tough to see the house had been flooded too.  They were cleaning out the place just like so many other folks in the subdivsion that lay right down on the shores of Big Lagoon.  They had about 6 feet of water in the house during the storm and were salvaging what they could in the days after it receded.  I asked Johnny how bad it was down at the shop. He said they had about 11 feet of water, up to the ceiling.  I didn't have to ask any more.  True to his normal ways he said they would be open as soon as they could clean it all out.  Joy just smiled that little, tilted head to the side grin that always revealed her positive can do spirit.  Just like the time she broke her leg and was back at the fish market weeks before her Dr. ever wanted to hear about it.  Hearty stock and sweet as could be.

Well its off to make my tacos with the freshest Amber Jack you can get with 10 miles of our blessed home sweet home. I plan on a mango/pineapple salsa, jicama and cabbage and some special spices.  Some I will roll in soft flour tortillas and some will be in hard shell corn taco shells.  I am hungry thinking about it.

Friendly Reminder

For our guests and all who use our beaches:

ECUA is asking everyone to please bag all your garbage.  When you place loose garbage in your can, it is more likely to blow out of their trucks going down the road.  Thank you for keeping Perdido Key Beautiful!

Here  is a great shot of the shelters along the beach in our beautiful state park on Perdido Key.  Come enjoy!!

Nite Life Music Perdido Style

We are obviously known for our white sugar sands but if you are around Perdido on the weekends, especially inthe summer, you will find an incredible variety of live music performances. You probably would think the Flora-Bama is the place and you would be only partially right.  Check out the other venues and live music across the Key and into Gulf Shores here:

Perdido Key Flora-Bama Lounge & Package

7-24: Randy Branch & Dave Daniel, 2 p.m.

7-24: Jack Robertson Show, 5 p.m.

7-24: Lee Yankie Band, 9 p.m.

7-24: J. Hawkins Band, 9:30 p.m.
7-25: Jimmy Louis, Noon

7-25: Johnny Barbato, 1 p.m.

7-25: J. Hawkins Band, 5 p.m.

7-25: Jack Robertson & Cathy Pace, 5:30 p.m.

7-25: Lee Yankie Band, 9:30 p.m.

7-25: Adam Holt Band, 10 p.m.

7-26: Rhonda Hart Duo, Noon
7-26: Bama Country, 3 p.m.

7-26: Adam Holt Band, 4:30 p.m.

7-26: Lucky Doggs, 9 p.m.

7-27: Open Mic with Cathy Pace - All Musicians Welcome, 5 p.m.

7-27: Elaine Petty, Donna Slater & Cathy Pace, 9:30 p.m.

7-28: Lee Yankie, 5 p.m.

7-28: J. Hawkins Band, 9:30 p.m.

7-29: Elaine Petty, 5 p.m.

7-29: Hung Jury, 9:30 p.m.

7-30: Jimmy Louis, 5 p.m.

7-30: Alvarado Road Show, 9 p.m.

7-30: Hung Jury, 9:30 p.m.
17401 Perdido Key Drive (850) 492-0611 www.florabama.com

Hub Stacey's at the Point

 

7-24: Knee Deep, 8:30 p.m.

7-25 & 7-26: Tim O'Donovan, 8:30 p.m.
5851 Galvez Road (850) 497-0071 www.hubstaceys.com

Jellyfish Bar

7-30: Aftershock, 9 p.m.
13700 Perdido Key Drive (850) 332-6532 www.jellyfishbar.com

Original Point Restaurant

7-24, 7-25 & 7-30: Bubba & Them, 6 p.m.
14340 Innerarity Point Road (850) 492-3577 www.point-restaurant.com

Panama Mac's

7-26: Bear & The Show-Nuff Po-Dunk Band, 3 p.m.
13583 Perdido Key Drive (850) 497-0088 www.panamamac.com

The Reef

7-30: Rick Whaley & John Joiner, 8 p.m.
13595 Perdido Key Drive (850) 492-9020

(2 of 4)

Silver Moon Stage

7-24: Sugarcane Jane, 8 p.m.

7-25: Rhonda Hart Duo, 6 p.m.

7-26: Jezebel's Chill'n, 3:30 p.m.

7-29: Johnny Barbato, 8 p.m.

7-30: Songwriters Open Mic, 6 p.m.
17395 Perdido Key Drive (850) 492-3407 www.myspace.com/silvermooncafe

Tiki Bar at the Purple Parrot

7-24: Donnie Mills, 4 p.m.

7-25: Mike Eagan, 4 p.m.

7-26: Mike Eagan, 3 p.m.
13555 Perdido Key Drive (850) 492-9999

Orange Beach: Calypso Joe's

7-28: Elaine Petty, 5 p.m.
27075 Marina Road (251) 981-1421 www.calypsojoes.com

Cobalt Restaurant

7-26: Sam Glass Band, 5:30 p.m.

7-27: Mike Eagan, 5 p.m.

7-30: Sam Glass Band, 6 p.m.

28099 Perdido Beach Blvd.
(251) 923-5300 www.cobaltrestaurant.net

Cosmo's Restaurant

7-24: David Chastang, 7 p.m.

7-25: Rick Macarthur, 6 p.m.

7-26: Sugarcane Jane 6 p.m.

7-27: Lisa Christian, 6 p.m.

7-28: Mike Eagan, 6 p.m.

7-29: Brent Burns, 6 p.m.

7-30: Top Hat & Jackie, 6 p.m.
25753 Canal Road (251) 948-9663 www.cosmosrestaurantandbar.com

FatBack's at The Sportsman Marina

7-25: Sugarcane Jane, 6 p.m.

7-29: Matt Algiere & Matt Brust, 6 p.m.

7-30: Lisa Christian, 6 p.m.
27842 Canal Road (251) 974-3282 www.fatbacks.com

Ginny Lane Bar & Grill

7-24: Top Hat & Jackie, 6 p.m.

7-25 & 7-26: Damien Lamb, 6 p.m.
4780 Wharf Parkway (251) 224-6500 www.ginnylanebarandgrill.com

Guy Harvey's Island Grill

7-24: Gary Story, 7 p.m.

7-25: Shane, 7 p.m.

7-26: Alan Hartzell, 4 p.m.

7-30: David Chastang, 6 p.m.
4851 Wharf Parkway (251) 224-8180 www.guyharveysislandgrill.com

HammerHeads Night Club

7-24: 3 Bad Brothaz, 9 p.m.
25908 Canal Road, Suite E (251) 974-2582 www.hammerheadsnightclub.com

(3 of 4)

Happy Harbor Bar & Cantina

7-27: Ryan Conner, 6 p.m.
27212 Marina Road (251) 981-1910 www.happyharborbar.com

Janna's Market

7-24 & 7-28: Open Mic Night, 5 p.m.

25908 Canal Road
(251) 981-SHOP (7467)
www.jannasmarket.com

The Keg

7-24 & 7-25: Ryan Conner, 11 p.m.

26796 Canal Road
(251) 981-9462

Live Bait Too!

7-24 & 7-25: The Reloaders, 10 p.m.

7-28: Christi Campbell Band, 9 p.m.

24281 Perdido Beach Blvd.
(251) 974-1612 www.livebaitrestaurant.com

Nix at the Beach

7-26: Top Hat & Jackie, 4 p.m.

27267 Perdido Beach Blvd.
(251) 980-7337 www.nixatthebeach.com

The North Shore Deli & Grill

7-25: Elaine Petty, 9:30 p.m.

27267 Perdido Beach Blvd.
(251) 981-8466

Our Cigar Bar

7-24 & 7-25: Michael Caruthers, 7 p.m.
4851 Wharf Parkway, Suite 124 (251) 224-1687 www.ourcigarbar.com

San Roc Cay

7-24: Shades, 6 p.m.

7-25: Elaine Petty, 6 p.m.

27267 Perdido Beach Blvd.
(251) 981-5423 www.sanroccay.com

Shucker's Oyster Bar

7-24 & 7-25: Jackie Olivia, 7 p.m.

7-26: Jay Mikee Duo, 3 p.m.

7-30: Mike Eagan, 7 p.m.
4673 Wharf Parkway (251) 224-1007

The Sugar Shack & Deli

7-24 & 7-30: Capt. Lee Lindblom, 5 p.m.
4830 Wharf Parkway (251) 981-4600

Tacky Jacks

7-24 to 7-26: Jason Justice, 6 p.m.

7-30: Web Dalton, 6 p.m.
27206 Safe Harbor Drive (251) 981-4144 www.tackyjacks.com

Tipseas

7-24: Lisa Zanghi, 6:30 p.m.

7-30: Rhonda Hart, 6 p.m.

23479 Perdido Beach Blvd.
(251) 981-8447 www.tipseas.com

VIP Lounge

7-30: Fluff Monkey, 10 p.m.
25814 Canal Road (251) 981-5516 www.viplounge.biz

(4 of 4)

Gulf Shores: The Beach Club

7-29: John Reno, 6 p.m.
925 Beach Club Trail (251) 224-2500 www.beachclubal.com

Foxy's West Beach Bar & Grill

7-26: Rob & Tom, 4 p.m.

7-30: Robert Broom, 9 p.m.

1154 West Beach Blvd.
(251) 948-4745

The Hangout

7-24: John Reno, 2 p.m.

7-24: The Kyle Parker Band, 7 p.m.

7-24: Caught on Camera, 7 p.m.

7-25: Chevy 6, 7 p.m.

7-26: Lee Yankie & The Hellz Yeah, 7 p.m.

7-27: Rumor Mill, 7 p.m.

7-28: The Buds, 7 p.m.

7-29: Sam Glass Band, 6 p.m.

7-30: High Tide Blues, 7 p.m.

101 E. Beach Blvd.
(251) 948-3030 www.thehangoutal.com

LuLu's at Homeport Marina

7-24: Big Jim Brown, 6 p.m.

7-25: Lee Yankie, 1 p.m.

7-25: Big Jim Brown, 6 p.m.

7-26: Greg Brown, 1 p.m.

7-26: RC & The Moonpies, 6 p.m.

7-27: Brent Burns, 5 p.m.

7-28: Adam Holt, 6 p.m.

7-29: Richard Cushing, 6 p.m.

7-30: The Relics, 6 p.m.

200 E. 25th Ave.

(251) 967-LULU (5858)
www.lulusathomeport.com

Mud Bugs Pub & Club

7-24: Schoefield, 9:30 p.m.
624 Gulf Shores Parkway (251) 948-8081

Original Oyster House

7-24 & 7-25: Greg Memphis, 6 p.m.
701 Gulf Shores Parkway (251) 948-2445 www.originaloysterhouse.com

Papa Rocco's

7-24: Paul Ewing & Mark Laborde, 7 p.m.

7-25: Smokey Otis & Mark Laborde, 7 p.m.

7-26: Beach Brothers, 7 p.m.

7-27: Johnny Barbato, 7 p.m.

7-28: Paul Ewing & Mark Laborde, 7 p.m.

7-29: Smokey Otis & Mark Laborde, 7 p.m.

7-30: Paul Ewing & Mark Laborde, 7 p.m.

U.S. Highway. 59 & Sixth Ave.
(251) 948-7262 www.paparocco.com

Pink Pony Pub

7-24 & 7-25: Hidden Element
7-26: Elaine Petty, 5 p.m.
137 E. Gulf Place (251) 948-6371 www.pinkponypub.net

Sunset Cork Room

7-25: Lisa Zanghi, 7 p.m.

225 E. 16th Ave.
(251) 967-4773 www.sunsetcorkroom.com

Tequila West Beach Restaurant

7-25: Robert Broom, 4 p.m.

610 W. Beach Blvd.
(251) 540-2588

Points Beyond: Les Roux

7-26: Jazz Brunch with Rebecca Berry, 11 a.m.
3177 S. McKenzie St., Foley (251) 943-8444 www.lesroux.net

Lillian Community Club

7-25: Durangos Rage, 7 p.m.

7-26: Jam Session - All Musicians Welcome, 3 p.m.
34148 Widell Ave., Lillian (251) 962-3366 www.lilliancommunityclub.com

Pirates Cove Marina & Restaurant

7-25: Hamelin, 7 p.m.
6664 County Road 95, Josephine (251) 987-1224 www.piratescoveriffraff.com

Tin Top Restaurant

7-29: Ken Matthews, 6 p.m.

New Videos Section

I have added a section to the blog with videos from Perdido Key. I will keep a wide variety of videos on the blog site that you can access by clicking on the video icon as you see it on the side bar.

Enjoy and look for more inthe future. 

Helping our Community

COMMUNITY NEWS:

To help keep their shelves well stocked, MANNA has organized a mid-summer food drive. MANNA has declared that Saturday July 25th will be a Super Saturday.  So as you do your weekly shopping for your family this Saturday morning, remember those neighbors of ours struggling to put food on their family's table. Receipts will be available for qualifying tax deductible donations.

 

With your food donation to MANNA's super Saturday, you will receive a raffle ticket for a 

prize package valued at $500!

 

The Super Saturday Food Drive will be held on July 25th, with donations accepted from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at these area groceries: Apple Market; Ever'man Natural Foods; Super Walmart on Creighton; Super Walmart on Highway 29; Super Walmart in Gulf Breeze; Super Walmart on Blue Angel Parkway; and Winn Dixie on North Ninth Avenue and Creighton Road.
For more information please call Cathy Sowell at 850.432.2053.

Great Gulf Shore News

Not far down the road from our beaches is Gulf Shores and one of the great adventures is using the pier.  Here is a great article reflecting the anticipation for its return after these many years after Hurricane Ivan.

State park ready to open bigger, better public pier

 

Sunday, July 19, 2009

LYNN EDGE

For The Birmingham News

When I was young, I thought the walkway that jutted out from the beach was called a pier because it was where you could go to look down through the planks and peer at the water.

Now that I'm older, I have learned that these are two different words, with different meanings not necessarily related to one another.

Whatever definition you've assigned to the wooden structure, Gulf State Park has been without one since Hurricane Ivan swept through on Sept. 16, 2004. That will all change Thursday when Gov. Bob Riley cuts the ribbon and opens a new public pier.

Since Ivan provided an excuse to rebuild the pier, it was decided that the new pier would be much larger than the one blown away by the hurricane. The old one was 14 feet wide and 875 feet long. Its new counterpart is 20 feet wide and more than 1,500 feet long. It's higher as well, standing 20 feet above the water - two feet more than its predecessor.

Built about 250 yards east of the old pier, the new one can accommodate more people and will be handicapped accessible. At the beach end of the pier there will be restrooms, concessions and a spot where fishermen can buy their licenses. More restrooms will be at the pier's mid-section. At the end over the water, an octagon-shaped end-cap, three times larger than the old one, will provide plenty of room for fishing over deeper water.

THE PIER

The new pier sits near a new parking area that has ramps for handicapped visitors. The daily rate for fishing at the pier is $8. For frequent visitors, there are weekly, monthly, semi-annual and annual rates. Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

For those who want to people- watch rather than fish, admission is $3 per day. To fish off the pier, you must have an Alabama saltwater fishing license. They can be purchased by phone, online, at courthouses, at Wal-Mart locations and at locations at the pier. An annual license is $21 for an Alabama resident. To buy a license, an Alabama resident will need his or her driver license. An out-of-state resident will need proof of his or her Social Security number as well.

THE PARK

Gulf State Park offers a variety of activities and accommodations. You can stay in a cabin or a cottage or go camping at the park. A freshwater lake provides fishing and skiing. Golfers can tee off at the 18-hole public course ($34 a day). Hiking and biking trails wind through the park. There are more than 3 miles of beaches and a beach pavilion with showers and picnic tables as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO GET THERE

To get to Gulf State Park, take Interstate 65 South, to Exit 37, the Gulf Parkway Exit (Alabama Highway 287). Turn left at the top of the ramp and drive south on Alabama Highway 287/Alabama Highway 59. Near Bay Minette, this road merges with U.S. Highway 31. Continue south on Highway 31. Near Pine Haven, the two roads separate at a fork in the road. Take the left fork onto Highway 59. Go south on Highway 59 (for a few miles, it merges with U.S. Highway 90) through Foley. Turn left onto Alabama Highway 180 East, then right onto Fort Morgan Road. That road takes you into the park. The pier is located on the Gulf side of the park, across Alabama Highway 182. It is about 278 miles from Birmingham.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

About Gulf Shores, call 800-745-7263. About Gulf State Park, call 251-948-7275.

Lynn Edge is a freelance writer based in Birmingham. E-mail her at quicktrips@bellsouth.net

Perdido Key Beaches Article

Visit Perdido's many public beaches this summer

Brian Kelly • bkelly@pnj.com • July 17, 2009

This week Pelican spends some time along Perdido Key's stunning public beaches. There are six public beaches along Perdido Key. There are three Public Access Points that are locally owned; Perdido Key East and West are state owned; and Rosamand Johnson and Gulf Islands National Seashore are federally owned.

Rosamand Johnson Beach and The Gulf Island National Seashore

Known locally as "Perdido Key Beach," Rosamand Johnson is Perdido Key's premier beach. Entry fee is $8 for a seven-day pass per vehicle or an annual pass for $80. Each pass gives access to Johnson Beach and Gulf Islands National Seashore. The beach provides lots of parking, bathroom facilities, outdoor showers and a pavilion available for daily rental. There is a lifeguard on duty. Hours are sunrise to sunset.

Public Beach Access Point No. 1

Found at the junction of Johnson Beach Road and Sandy Key Drive. There is no entry fee and ample parking is available. Handicap parking available. This beach has no bathroom facilities or outdoor shower. No lifeguards on duty. Open sunrise to sunset.

Public Beach Access Point No. 2

Can be found along Perdido Key Drive, across from the former Tom Thumb location. This location provides limited parking (about 40 vehicles), no entry fee, has bathroom facilities and an outdoor shower. Handicap parking available. No lifeguards on duty. Open sunrise to sunset.

Public Beach Access Point No. 3

This beach is also along Perdido Key Drive. This location provides  limited parking (about 40 vehicles), no entry fee, has bathroom facilities and an outdoor shower. Handicap parking available. No lifeguards on duty. Open sunrise to sunset.

Perdido Key East and West

These federally owned beaches are along Perdido Key Drive, both before the Eden Condominiums. Entry fee to East and West is $3 per car, $2 for walk-ins and bikes. There is ample parking, large bathroom facilities and several outdoor showers. Handicap parking available. East and West also feature large pavilions. Open sunrise to sunset.

Thanks to Brian Kelly for the article.  Check out the web sites for these beaches on the side panel of this blog or go directly to Perdido Key State Beaches and to the National Seashore site.  Another neat place to keep up with Perdido is the beach web cam which is in the Johnson Beach complex.

Blast Off! at the National Naval Aviation Museum

 

 

 

Space Day Will Take the Public on a Journey Through Space

10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday, July 18

Learn about the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station, robotic exploration of the solar system and humans returning to the moon and Mars at this year’s Blast Off! Space Day event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first man on the moon! As part of its Discovery Saturday series, the National Naval Aviation Museum will feature a presentation by Russell Romanella, director of the International Space Station and Spacecraft Processing Directorate at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., from 11 a.m.–noon on the Flight Deck. Hands-on exhibits and displays from the Marshall and Johnson Space Centers will add to the fun from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. during the Space Day event and through July 26 as they remain on display at the Museum. All activities will take place in the Blue Angels atrium, and are FREE and open to the public.

Russell Romanella is responsible for all ground processing of Space Station elements getting ready to fly in the Space Shuttle. His broad range of experiences include Space Shuttle processing, the International Space Station, and future NASA Exploration programs. Mr. Romanella has received numerous achievement and performance awards including NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal and the Center Director Award, and the 2008 Presidential Rank Award for his leadership in preparing Space Station elements for launch from the Kennedy Space Center.

Blast Off! Space Day will also feature many hands-on exhibits that the public can explore. An authentic Shuttle Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) spacesuit will be on display and will be accessible for photo opportunities. Other equipment pieces include a full-size Apollo inner helmet originally used for training, a functional, full-size Shuttle EVA glove and a full-size space shuttle launch and reentry helmet. Learn about space food through FREE astronaut ice cream samples (while supplies last) and a self-standing exhibit that highlights food in space from early manned spaceflight to the shuttle program. Other NASA displays include the NASA Boom Box, which simulates a Space Shuttle launch and educates the public about the importance of the shuttle program, and a model of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Orbiting the earth at an altitude of 370 miles, the HST provides information about space activity to scientists on a daily basis.

The National Naval Aviation Museum features FREE admission and a full slate of events throughout the year. For a complete list of events, exhibits and attractions at the Museum, visit NavalAviationMuseum.org or call the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation at (850) 453-2389 or (800) 327-5002.

Women's Fishing Tournament Centered in Perdido

Lost Key Marina and Yacht Club Weigh-in Area

Women anglers and crews depart Friday night to compete in the 31st annual Pensacola Ladies Billfish Tournament.

The event will begin with a captains' meeting at 6:30 p.m. Friday. All of the events, including the weigh-in and awards ceremony, will be held at WCI Lost Key Marina near Perdido Key.

The tournament prohibits the kill of marlin and sailfish. But there will be first- through third-place prizes given for catch and release of both species.

Top three prizes will be awarded for tuna, wahoo, dolphin and swordfish. There also will be a top boat award for the team accumulating the most catch-and-release points.

The entry fee is $165 per angler with a minimum of two anglers per boat. At the meeting, anglers also can enter to win optional cash awards for all species.

Sean Garrison, captain of the "Born 2 Run," said his crew may return to the same area in the Gulf of Mexico where they caught a blue marlin and sailfish during the recent Pensacola International Billfish Tournament .

During that event, the group fished numerous areas but finally found fish about 120 miles southeast of Pensacola to take home the top catch-and-release boat award.

Last year, Kathy and Amanda Wagner, fishing on the "Clearbook" took the two top spots in catch-and-release category.

Emma Land created the big buzz at the weigh-in dock with her 126.5-pound swordfish when she arrived aboard "Fully Involved."

The scales will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

This event has proven to be a spectator hit as the women competitors arrive at the weigh-in dock to record prize-winning catches.

For more information, visit the Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club's Web site at www.pbgfc.com or call the club house at (850) 453-4638.