On September 11–12, 2026, at Point South Marina at Bay Point, the Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation staged one of the Gulf’s most unusual showdowns: reel anglers versus spearfishing teams (aka Spearos) competing head-to-head for the same species and the same crown. This was the 2026 Reels & Spears Gulf Classic. And, for the second year in a row, the Spearos took the crown. This rivalry is the heartbeat of the event as the two categories of anglers go head-to-head for biggest amberjack, biggest grouper, biggest red snapper, and most lionfish.
Two communities. One weigh-in. One cause. Every dollar raised during this event, after team payouts, supports Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation’s mission of building living memorial reefs to honor fallen veterans, first responders, and their K9 companions. This is done at ZERO cost to their families, and free to the gulf communities in whose waters they are deployed. None of their board members are paid.
The tournament organizer and the Vice President of Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, Gretchen Theodorou, had envisioned a bigger field this year, but was still happy with the glowing results. Weather was the primary factor. Friday the 11th was pretty much a rainout, with only two boats coming in. But, that all changed on Saturday, when the fleet came out in full force to beat last year’s numbers. Anglers and Spearos put on an epic fishing show and slayed and removed 283 invasive lionfish off of the Gulf reefs.
Team Critical Care delivered the goods by sweeping the Reels Division for the second straight year: amberjack 68.4 lbs., grouper 27.8 lbs., red snapper 26.8 lbs. In the Spears Division, Team Snapper Slapper took biggest amberjack at 61.4 lbs., Team Knot 2 Deep took biggest grouper at 49.1 lbs., Team HBC took biggest red snapper at 33.1 lbs., and Team Island Diver stacked up 110 lionfish.
Then, to top off the tournament, Forrest Phillips, fishing with Team Southern Skin Divers Supply and Panama City Dive Center, put a 77.9-pound cubera on the scale. Cubera was not a targeted species. However, it was the unicorn of the tournament and the showstopper of the event. During the two day coinciding festival event, Friday opened with a 9/11 tribute, honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. That was followed by The Art of Love Event Planners’ sponsored Family Night Dive-In Movie at the marina pool, where The Rocketeer was viewed, complete with floating cabanas!
Saturday’s Family Festival turned Bay Point into a community show, with HD Elements Photography capturing every moment: local vendors, food booths, raffles, Hold ’Em for Heroes, a college game day tent, face painting by Shayne So Artsy, a dunk booth, free intro to SCUBA with Scuba Station Panama City, vehicles on display by AutoNation Ford, then a public weigh-in and awards.
“We really want to lift community spirit, and get people involved in the locality wherever we place these special reefs. Bay County is where we began the foundation. That’s why we enjoy having the event here at Bay Point. The team here has always embraced our mission. Besides being a fundraiser and a fishing tournament, Reels & Spears gives us a chance to showcase the local businesses and celebrate the people who come out and support us,” says Theodorou. “So many people living in Bay County don’t realize all of the amazing talent, and all of the incredibly innovative businesses that are actually in Bay County. This is an enjoyable way for these local companies to exhibit their craft and capabilities, and cultivate relationships and peak interest within the local community.”
Wil McCraney not only won the biggest grouper category for Spears with Team Knot 2 Deep, but he also walked away with the $1,500.00 2026 Reels & Spears Gulf Classic BOTE raffle. A 3,000-pound Reef on the Dock, and a Partner for Every Reef Before the first line was cast, the team from Kevin Goodyear / Legacy Towing lifted and towed one of Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation’s 3,000- pound, raw steel, locally manufactured reefs from the Man in the Sea Museum to Point South Marina at Bay Point.
Competitors and families could walk up, take photos in front of, and put a hand on the mission. That tow ended up becoming a partnership. Kevin Goodyear / Legacy Towing will lift and tow future reefs for Warrior Memorial Reefs, saving the Foundation thousands of dollars in moving costs on every deployment.
The Foundation cannot express its gratitude enough. 2027 is Open. So is a Reef with your Name on it. This is not another Saturday weigh-in. It is Reels versus Spearos. It is a 9/11 tribute. It is The Rocketeer on the pool deck. It is a 3,000-pound reef sitting where the public can see it. It is a unicorn fish and 283 lionfish in the same weekend. Brands that get in now, get that story.
Each year will be getting more interesting and unique than the last, as the tournament grows.
Sponsorship and vendor packages for the 2027 Reels & Spears Gulf Classic are open.
Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation is a veteran-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 93-3848393). 100% Volunteer board. Zero cost to families. Donate or sponsor a reef: www.WarriorMemorialReefs.org 2027 Classic sponsorship: (239) 826-2009 | info@warriormemorialreefs.org