Panama City Beach - 'Redfish Riviera' Established to Promote Growing Sport. Complements of the News Herald…
Two local fishing enthusiasts decided to pair their love of redfishing with the growing popularity of the sport by launching a new company, Redfish Riviera, Inc. The outfitters dedicated to the sport of redfishing, created by Paul Wohlford and Steve Bailey, sells a wide range of apparel and specialty items to sportsmen and families. In addition, the company educates consumers about the sport of redfishing, provides information about redfish tournaments and locations, and connects anglers with one another.
The name plays on a well-know nickname for the gulf coast region as the "Redneck Riviera". Wohlford, president of the company, said the idea was born during a Tourist Development Council meeting when they were discussing upcoming Redfish tournament sponsorship opportunities. Steve Bailey, CEO of the company, and Wohlford trademarked the name, and Redfish Riviera, Inc. became official in April 2008.
"Since then, we have been approached to cast the name on restaurants and lodges," said Wohlford of the popular name. "I don't know where the applications will go in the future. We are focused on growing the company at this point, and expanding our reach to retailers, outfitters, marinas and resorts across the southeast. The early results have exceeded our expectations. Maybe that's because redfishing is the fastest growing segment of sports fishing, and is said to be approaching bass fishing in terms of popularity."
The Redfish Riviera spans the shores of Brownsville, Texas, along the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic coast of Florida, up to Surf City, NC.
The sport has gained popularity in recent years and has spawned into a sportsman's 'must do'. According to the Inshore Fishing Association's website "inshore fisheries have flourished much quicker than anyone could have imagined since the banning of netting". The redfish or red drum has become one of the most sought after fish on the Gulf and Atlantic shores.
"It has really grown into a household name to sportsmen throughout the country," says Bailey. "It is a very eco and family friendly sport, too. With fuel prices the way they are, this is not the kind of fishing you have to run offshore 70 miles to do. It's all inshore, and state laws regulate fishermen to size and bag limit. Redfish are a very protected species."
Primarily an inshore fish, the average redfish weighs from 6 to 12 pounds, but can weigh up to 50 pounds. Redfish are a bottom-feeding, schooling species common along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts. Typically located on flats, redfish can also be caught in reefs, bays and marshes.
They live in shallow water and can be recognized by a dark spot on the tail. They became trendy as a food fish after being offered as blackened redfish in New Orleans restaurants and became popular as a game fish as more former bass anglers got turned on to inshore saltwater fishing.
Redfish Riviera, Inc. has already grabbed the attention of major networks and tournament organizers in their short time of existence.
Wohlford and Bailey recently accepted an invite to join a crew of the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Pro-Am Team. They will partner with a Redfish Cup Professional Angler and fish the flats of Pensacola in the Pro-Am Tournament. The event is being televised on ESPN2 and ESPN Outdoors.
Bailey said they are thrilled to have the opportunity to promote their new company on a national platform. "We'll see where it takes us," said Bailey. "It's a great opportunity for us and we are excited to be part of it."
Redfish Riviera, Inc. promotes the major redfish tours and their tournaments. They also sponsor a team, Team Redfish Riviera, who recently claimed a top 10 finish at the IFA Redfish Tournament presented by Cabela's in Navarre Beach, FL.
"Down the road we hope to expand by offering guide services, restaurant and accommodation partners, as well as introducing redfishing to new anglers" said Wohlford. "Really, with the way this sport is growing, the possibilities are endless." For more information on Redfish Riviera, to view tournament schedules or to purchase merchandise visit www.redfishriviera.com.
Need a Panama City Beach Condo for your fishing trip? Check us out...
Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Panama City Beach - Grand Panama Canceled
PANAMA CITY BEACH - The Grand Lagoon National saltwater fishing tournament, scheduled for Oct. 3-5, has been canceled, Tournament Chairman Bill Spann announced Monday.
The GLN originally was planned for Aug. 20-24, then postponed until Labor Day Weekend because of Tropical Storm Fay. Labor Day became untenable when Hurricane Gustav formed and later made landfall in Louisiana.
Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas early Saturday, and it’s uncertain path for several weeks caused anglers to alter their plans. That put preparations for the rescheduled GLN on hold, and Spann and the organizing committee made the difficult decision to cancel this year's event. "This was the final storm," Spann said. "People had become storm weary.
"Boaters have been affected, some directly. Now they're out looking for fuel, and at what price? It got to be too much to hope for having the tournament."
Spann said the principle marinas of Grand Lagoon - Capt. Anderson's, Lighthouse, Pirates Cove and Treasure Island - have committed to next year's event scheduled for Aug. 12-16, 2009.
Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent
The GLN originally was planned for Aug. 20-24, then postponed until Labor Day Weekend because of Tropical Storm Fay. Labor Day became untenable when Hurricane Gustav formed and later made landfall in Louisiana.
Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas early Saturday, and it’s uncertain path for several weeks caused anglers to alter their plans. That put preparations for the rescheduled GLN on hold, and Spann and the organizing committee made the difficult decision to cancel this year's event. "This was the final storm," Spann said. "People had become storm weary.
"Boaters have been affected, some directly. Now they're out looking for fuel, and at what price? It got to be too much to hope for having the tournament."
Spann said the principle marinas of Grand Lagoon - Capt. Anderson's, Lighthouse, Pirates Cove and Treasure Island - have committed to next year's event scheduled for Aug. 12-16, 2009.
Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Panama City Beach - New Pier Park Restaurant
Panama City Beach - New Tuscan Farmhouse-design restaurant at Pier Park is the first in Bay County
Olive Garden welcomes guests to its newest restaurant opening at Pier Park, located in Panama City Beach at 15701 Panama City Beach Parkway on Monday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. The beautiful new restaurant, built in the company’s Tuscan-farmhouse design, is the first in Bay County. Approximately 165 jobs will be created with the opening of the 247-seat, 7,441 square-foot restaurant.
Tuscan Inspiration
The Olive Garden in Panama City Beach has a rustic stone exterior, typical of the buildings in the Italian countryside, and an interior accented by Italian imports designed to make the dining experience here a tribute to the restaurant’s Italian inspiration. Ceilings supported by exposed wood beams, stone and wood accents throughout, and terra cotta tile highlight the interior. The bar top is crafted from lava stone, then hand-painted by artisans in Italy with design created exclusively for Olive Garden; vibrant imported fabrics decorate windows and dining seats; hand-painted plates adorn rustic stone and stucco walls; and the lighting fixtures are all distinctly Italian.
“We are extremely excited to share the breathtaking setting of our new Tuscan Farmhouse-design Olive Garden with the Panama City Beach community,” said Mark Swartz, general manager. “It was designed after our Riserva di Fizzano restaurant in Tuscany, Italy, which is rustic, charming, warm and beautiful – the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a genuine Italian dining experience.” To recognize Swartz’s role as head of the Olive Garden family in Panama City Beach and to emphasize the importance the company places on its general managers, Olive Garden honored Swartz by setting his name in stone. Travertine marble imported from Tuscany was chiseled with Swartz’s name and placed prominently by the front door.
Panama City Beach Olive Garden at a glance:
Opening Date: Monday, Sept. 8
Employees: 165
Square Footage: 7,441 square feet
Number of Seats: 247
Hours of Operation: From Monday, Sept. 8 – Sept. 14 the restaurant will serve dinner only:
- Sunday through Thursday: 4 – 10 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 4 – 11 p.m.
The restaurant will be open for lunch beginning Monday, Sept. 15. Lunch will be served starting at 11 a.m. every day.
Olive Garden welcomes guests to its newest restaurant opening at Pier Park, located in Panama City Beach at 15701 Panama City Beach Parkway on Monday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. The beautiful new restaurant, built in the company’s Tuscan-farmhouse design, is the first in Bay County. Approximately 165 jobs will be created with the opening of the 247-seat, 7,441 square-foot restaurant.
Tuscan Inspiration
The Olive Garden in Panama City Beach has a rustic stone exterior, typical of the buildings in the Italian countryside, and an interior accented by Italian imports designed to make the dining experience here a tribute to the restaurant’s Italian inspiration. Ceilings supported by exposed wood beams, stone and wood accents throughout, and terra cotta tile highlight the interior. The bar top is crafted from lava stone, then hand-painted by artisans in Italy with design created exclusively for Olive Garden; vibrant imported fabrics decorate windows and dining seats; hand-painted plates adorn rustic stone and stucco walls; and the lighting fixtures are all distinctly Italian.
“We are extremely excited to share the breathtaking setting of our new Tuscan Farmhouse-design Olive Garden with the Panama City Beach community,” said Mark Swartz, general manager. “It was designed after our Riserva di Fizzano restaurant in Tuscany, Italy, which is rustic, charming, warm and beautiful – the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a genuine Italian dining experience.” To recognize Swartz’s role as head of the Olive Garden family in Panama City Beach and to emphasize the importance the company places on its general managers, Olive Garden honored Swartz by setting his name in stone. Travertine marble imported from Tuscany was chiseled with Swartz’s name and placed prominently by the front door.
Panama City Beach Olive Garden at a glance:
Opening Date: Monday, Sept. 8
Employees: 165
Square Footage: 7,441 square feet
Number of Seats: 247
Hours of Operation: From Monday, Sept. 8 – Sept. 14 the restaurant will serve dinner only:
- Sunday through Thursday: 4 – 10 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 4 – 11 p.m.
The restaurant will be open for lunch beginning Monday, Sept. 15. Lunch will be served starting at 11 a.m. every day.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Panama City Beach - September 08 Pier Park News
Pier Park in Panama City Beach announced the addition of more shopping options at the 900,000-square-foot retail and entertainment lifestyle center located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to Highway 98 (Back Beach Road).
Pier Park is already home to nearly a 100 retail stores and to six anchor stores; the addition of these specialty stores, which are scheduled to open this summer and fall, will further establish the center as a world-class shopping and entertainment haven for locals and visitors of the Florida Panhandle.
New specialty shops scheduled to debut include the following:
Aqua Gallery
Ava Blue Boutique
Baja Grill
Carter's Clothing
Cost Cutters
Déjà vu
Great American Cookies \ PretzelMaker
Nails So Happy
Paint’n Place
Runway Collection
Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts
The Eye Gallery
Pac Sun
Paradise Found
Aqua Gallery offers an eclectic mix of gifts based on works of art. The store will carry prints, books, carpets, electronics and more.
Ava Blue Boutique is a locally owned upscale boutique featuring women's designer apparel, shoes, accessories and jewelry that appeals to the modern women. Lines featured will include Free People, Color Me Red, Sugar Lips, Mystree, Spanx, Dahiny and B122 among others. The boutique will also offer monogramming services for flip-flops, t-shirts and jewelry.
Carter’s Clothing offers clothing for children from newborn through size seven including baby sleepwear, play-clothes and accessories. Carter’s offers trusted products that are super comfy, easy care, adorable and don’t break the bank. Carter’s has around 200 stores in the United States.
Great American Cookies/ PretzelMaker became an instant retail phenomenon in 1977 when the first store opened in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded on the strength of a generations-old family chocolate chip cookie recipe, Great American Cookies expanded in malls across the country and at the same time developed a complete line of cookies and brownies, including a signature Cookie Cake product, making it one of the best cookie companies in the industry.
Nails So Happy is a beauty services establishment that offers nail care services such as manicures, pedicures and nail enhancements.
Paint’n Place is a full service paint-your-own pottery studio. Paint’n Place provides a comfortable social atmosphere where guests can come together as family, friends and neighbors, to let the creative juices flow! Guests are invited to paint plates, mugs, vases, figurines and more. Paint’n Place also offers jewelry-making classes and proudly hosts child and adult birthdays parties, bridal showers, church and civic groups, company meetings, Girls’ and Boys’ Scouts, etc. All products are food, microwave and dishwasher safe.
Runway Collection is a men’s and women’s fashion boutique which offers high-end designer options in a range of prices.
The Eye Gallery is well known around the Florida Panhandle for the latest in sunglasses and prescription eyewear. Its distinctive collection of eyewear ranges from preserving the timeless, inspiring the creative and emphasizing the beautiful.
Pier Park’s diverse and unique roster of anchors, specialty retail stores and restaurants has shown much success thus far.
“We are thrilled to be a part of Pier Park and have seen an incredible response both from the community and from summer visitors,” said Kelley Horton, owner of Bellies & Babies. Bellies & Babies is Panama City’s newest maternity and baby boutique offering fashionable and modern maternity clothing and accessories for the mom-to-be who still wants to look trendy and hip even though she’s pregnant. It also offers stylish and unique baby clothing, accessories and gifts.
“As one of the first retailers at Pier Park, we have found our opening at the center to be incredibly successful and overall a wonderful experience,” said Betty Ezzel, owner of BeBo’z. BeBo’z offers gifts from Christmas-at-the-Beach, Webkinz and many other beach toys and gifts for less than $25.
Rebecca Ellerson, owner of Peace Frogs, couldn’t have agreed more. “Pier Park is the perfect retail environment. Not only is the number of visitors to our store incredible but they are all having a great time at Pier Park. Customers are in a great mood when they enter the store; we have customers laughing, singing, and even dancing in our store all day long and we love it,” said Ellerson. Peace Frogs is an eco-friendly brand of clothing and accessories. It features t-shirts printed on organic cottons and carries several lines of jewelry, handbags and other accessories that are made of recycled, sustainable materials or fair trade made.
Shop and Play at Pier Park and stay at our Panama City Beach Condo!!
Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent
Pier Park is already home to nearly a 100 retail stores and to six anchor stores; the addition of these specialty stores, which are scheduled to open this summer and fall, will further establish the center as a world-class shopping and entertainment haven for locals and visitors of the Florida Panhandle.
New specialty shops scheduled to debut include the following:
Aqua Gallery
Ava Blue Boutique
Baja Grill
Carter's Clothing
Cost Cutters
Déjà vu
Great American Cookies \ PretzelMaker
Nails So Happy
Paint’n Place
Runway Collection
Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts
The Eye Gallery
Pac Sun
Paradise Found
Aqua Gallery offers an eclectic mix of gifts based on works of art. The store will carry prints, books, carpets, electronics and more.
Ava Blue Boutique is a locally owned upscale boutique featuring women's designer apparel, shoes, accessories and jewelry that appeals to the modern women. Lines featured will include Free People, Color Me Red, Sugar Lips, Mystree, Spanx, Dahiny and B122 among others. The boutique will also offer monogramming services for flip-flops, t-shirts and jewelry.
Carter’s Clothing offers clothing for children from newborn through size seven including baby sleepwear, play-clothes and accessories. Carter’s offers trusted products that are super comfy, easy care, adorable and don’t break the bank. Carter’s has around 200 stores in the United States.
Great American Cookies/ PretzelMaker became an instant retail phenomenon in 1977 when the first store opened in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded on the strength of a generations-old family chocolate chip cookie recipe, Great American Cookies expanded in malls across the country and at the same time developed a complete line of cookies and brownies, including a signature Cookie Cake product, making it one of the best cookie companies in the industry.
Nails So Happy is a beauty services establishment that offers nail care services such as manicures, pedicures and nail enhancements.
Paint’n Place is a full service paint-your-own pottery studio. Paint’n Place provides a comfortable social atmosphere where guests can come together as family, friends and neighbors, to let the creative juices flow! Guests are invited to paint plates, mugs, vases, figurines and more. Paint’n Place also offers jewelry-making classes and proudly hosts child and adult birthdays parties, bridal showers, church and civic groups, company meetings, Girls’ and Boys’ Scouts, etc. All products are food, microwave and dishwasher safe.
Runway Collection is a men’s and women’s fashion boutique which offers high-end designer options in a range of prices.
The Eye Gallery is well known around the Florida Panhandle for the latest in sunglasses and prescription eyewear. Its distinctive collection of eyewear ranges from preserving the timeless, inspiring the creative and emphasizing the beautiful.
Pier Park’s diverse and unique roster of anchors, specialty retail stores and restaurants has shown much success thus far.
“We are thrilled to be a part of Pier Park and have seen an incredible response both from the community and from summer visitors,” said Kelley Horton, owner of Bellies & Babies. Bellies & Babies is Panama City’s newest maternity and baby boutique offering fashionable and modern maternity clothing and accessories for the mom-to-be who still wants to look trendy and hip even though she’s pregnant. It also offers stylish and unique baby clothing, accessories and gifts.
“As one of the first retailers at Pier Park, we have found our opening at the center to be incredibly successful and overall a wonderful experience,” said Betty Ezzel, owner of BeBo’z. BeBo’z offers gifts from Christmas-at-the-Beach, Webkinz and many other beach toys and gifts for less than $25.
Rebecca Ellerson, owner of Peace Frogs, couldn’t have agreed more. “Pier Park is the perfect retail environment. Not only is the number of visitors to our store incredible but they are all having a great time at Pier Park. Customers are in a great mood when they enter the store; we have customers laughing, singing, and even dancing in our store all day long and we love it,” said Ellerson. Peace Frogs is an eco-friendly brand of clothing and accessories. It features t-shirts printed on organic cottons and carries several lines of jewelry, handbags and other accessories that are made of recycled, sustainable materials or fair trade made.
Shop and Play at Pier Park and stay at our Panama City Beach Condo!!
Best Panama City Beach Condos for Rent
Monday, September 1, 2008
Panama City Beach - Gustav 9.1.08
At Celadon Beach Resort this morning the beach is closed due to high waves that are running 7-8 feet and are lightly brushing against the dunes before washing back into the gulf. A few people are still out wading in the shallow water close to the dunes. Hopefully the beach will be back to normal tomorrow or Wednesday.
Jerry
www.bestpanamacitybeachcondo.com
Jerry
www.bestpanamacitybeachcondo.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
