The Fort Walton Beach Sailfish Club, was born in 1972 by a few local fishing enthusiasts who banded together to enjoy each other's company in sportfishing and good fellowship. We salute this group as they were the forerunners of what has become one of the most well thought of and respected angling Clubs along the Gulf Coast.

The Club has prospered over the years due to the concentrated effort of many members. They devoted their time and energy toward vast improvements in both management and facilities.

The Club consists of 80 members and their families whose purpose is to promote SAFE BOATING, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND CAMARADERIE. The conservation of game fish is paramount among our members who do their best to TAG AND RELEASE billfish when possible.

We are members of the International Game Fish Association whose rules have been adopted by our Tournament Committee to establish the foundation for a healthy and sportsman like tournament.

Our Club is a private establishment composed of local, state as well as out of state members. We welcome application for Club membership when sponsored by a regular Club member. All applications are carefully screened by our Board of Directors. When membership openings become available, qualified applicants are accepted into one of the choicest fishing clubs along the Gulf Coast.

We meet on an informal basis each Wednesday evening starting at 7:30 P.M. at the Playground Area Boat Club house to enjoy an evening of fellowship and friendly conversation.

We have a 12-man Board of Directors elected to office by the general membership. Their primary duties are to direct and manage the overall operation of the Club. Each month we conduct a formal Board of Directors Meeting presided over by the Club President. These meetings are held for the purpose of entertaining ideas on ways and means to improve our Club and its facilities as well as updating our administrative procedures as necessary.

Our monthly General Membership meeting is conducted two days following the Board of Directors meeting. This provides Club members with the opportunity to get involved in the overall management of the Club by way of their recommendations.

Officers are elected annually by the general membership to occupy positions of the Presidency, Vice Presidency, Secretary, Weigh master, Club Commodore and the required membership for the Board of Directors.

The event of the year comes with our Annual Fort Walton Beach/Destin Open Billfish tournament. Each year has seen the influx of new anglers and many of the same fisherman return to participate in our annual competition. For this vote of confidence, we thank you.

Along with our annual tournament, we host several additional activities such as monthly "cookouts", Intra Club fishing competition and an overnight trip to one of several ports along the Gulf Coast. Guest speakers are constantly in demand to provide us with their intellect on sport fishing, and other facets of marine information of interest to our members.

Following the fishing season awards are presented to winners of our intra club fishing competition. Prizes are awarded to the winners of several categories of fish such as the blue marlin, swordfish, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin fish, yellow fin tuna, king mackerel, cobia, red snapper, grouper, tarpon, amberjack, jack crevalle and speckled trout. Junior anglers are awarded a trophy for their best catch. The light tackle award is presented to the angler seeking the ultimate in challenges. Our most coveted award is presented to the winner of the Tag and Release event.

Billfish protection is one of our major concerns. The International Game Fish Association has recognized our Club for the efforts of its members to promote sportsmanship and adhere to the principals of game fish conservation.