May 2, 2014
By Capt. Dave Lear
There’s no shortage of excitement during tournament week at the Classic. With more than one million dollars in prize money at stake and some of the best fishing teams in the world showcasing their talents, it truly is a spectacle to behold.
For starters more than a billion dollars worth of luxurious sport-fishing yachts are on display at the Point Cadet Marina. Family and friends have the opportunity to witness history in the making as monster blue marlin, tuna, dolphin and wahoo come to the scales Friday and Saturday nights. The setting is shiny and bright too. With the fully-renovated Golden Nugget Casino Hotel Biloxi as the host facility overlooking the picturesque waterfront, the gaming, entertainment and dining options on site are fabulous as well.
Yet, that’s not all. For the first time ever, 10 gorgeous beauties will be contending for the Miss Billfish Classic crown on Wednesday, June 4, at 8:30 p.m. Appropriately, the contest will be held at the Golden Nugget H2O bar pool deck.
“We are very excited to bring women from all parts of the Gulf Coast to compete for the inaugural title of Miss Billfish Classic. The Golden Nugget is the ideal place to kick off this tasteful swimsuit pageant,” says the contest organizer Kristen Gangawere.
Miss Billfish Classic 2014 will earn $750 in prize money, a $150 Morton’s Steak House gift card, a $400 certificate to Deedy’s Formals and Tuxedos Shop and hotel accommodations during the tournament. The First Runner-Up pockets $500 in cash, $100 gift card from Lillie’s Asian Cuisine and a $300 certificate from Deedy’s Formals and Tuxedo Shop. The Second Runner-Up will receive $250 and a $50 gift card to Michael Patrick’s Sports Cafe and Grille.
Once the weigh scales close at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, the music gets cranking. Taking the stage at the H20 pool bar right afterwards on Friday will be the legendary Rockin’ Dopsie and the Zydeco Twisters. This high-energy act will be churning out its unique playlist of Zydeco, blues and rock, letting the good times roll until 11 p.m.
Better Than Ezra, another local musical favorite, will also keep toes tapping on Saturday night. The band starts strumming the guitars and banging the bass from 8 until 11 p.m at the H2O bar. The swimsuit pageant and music are free and open to the public.
“The Classic has always been special because of big fish and big cash prizes,” says Tournament Coordinator Bert Merritt. “And for 2014, we’re adding Miss Billfish Classic and hot tunes. So come on down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and join the party! It’s going to be another fantastic event.”
