MARLIN FEVER WINS 68TH ANNUAL BIG ROCK
June 18, 2026
THE 2026 BIG ROCK RECAP: SIX DAYS. EIGHT BLUES WEIGHED. $9 MILLION PAID. Morehead City, NC (June 18, 2026) — The 68th Annual Big Rock
SAVE THE DATE
JUNE 11-20, 2027
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
SAVE THE DATE
JUNE 11-20, 2027
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
2026
BIG ROCK RECAP
The 68th Annual Big Rock Tournament, presented by Jarrett Bay Boatworks, featured a fleet of 278 boats competing for a staggering total purse of over $9 MILLION. More than 330 billfish were released during the week, 127 of which were blue marlin. MARLIN FEVER was crowned the winner of the Big Rock Tournament with their RECORD 919.9 lb blue marlin. Read full recap here.
$9 M
TOTAL PURSE
278
BOATS
919.9 LB
WINNING WEIGHT
TOURNAMENT NEWS
Big Rock Honored as Marlin Magazine’s 2025 Tournament of the Year
February 21, 2026
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Honored as Marlin Magazine’s 2025 Tournament of the Year Recognized for giving back, fierce competition, and electric dockside energy, Big
KELI WAGNER TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCES NEW MAJOR SPONSOR
January 23, 2026
KELI WAGNER LADY ANGLER TOURNAMENT WELCOMES PARAGON CUSTOM HOMES AS NEW MAJOR SPONSOR The partnership marks Paragon Custom Homes’ expansion into Carteret County and a
WATCH 2026 RECAP VIDEOS
Relive the highlights of 2026! Watch our exclusive recap videos capturing the year’s most memorable moments across all three tournaments.
BIG ROCK TRIPLE CROWN
A three-leg tournament series designed to challenge the best boats in competitive sportfishing is set to debut this summer. This series unites all three Big Rock tournaments, creating a unique challenge for anglers that compete in one of, or all Big Rock events.
CHARITY FIRST
Support the Big Rock Foundation and help
benefit charities and worthy organizations
throughout Eastern North Carolina.
CHARITY FIRST
Support the Big Rock Foundation and help
benefit charities and worthy organizations
throughout Eastern North Carolina.
Out with the old, in with the NEW ✨🙌🏼
Hot off the press, the 2026 Big Rock Programs just landed — Get a sneak peek online at the link in bio 👀
Did you know @lindarikerealestate is Big Rock’s longest running sponsor? 🤝🏼
As one of this year’s Diamond Sponsors and the Official Real Estate Sponsor of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament since 1998, Linda and her team have helped countless families and clients find their perfect place to call home along the Crystal Coast for more than 40 years.
Linda believes that the best catches aren’t only offshore — sometimes they come with a front porch and a waterfront view. 🏠✨
Thinking about your next move? Just add water to your lifestyle with Linda Rike Real Estate!
Allan Willis earned Top Junior Angler during the Custom Shootout with @Jarrettbay Hull no. 59 @builderschoice 👏🎣
750 Points | 1 Blue Marlin + 1 White Marlin
Swipe ⏩️ for an all-time throwback of Allan from 2016 😆
That’s a WRAP on the Hatteras Village Offshore Open! 🛥️💙
With 54 boats competing, the fleet tallied an impressive 48 blue marlin, 12 white marlin, and 3 sailfish released over an action-packed 4 days offshore!
Congratulations to the top teams —
Heaviest Blue Marlin:
🥇 REEL PRIORITY | 487.4 lb Blue Marlin | $136,425
🥈 FIRST LOOK | 479.9 lb Blue Marlin | $45,900
Release Division:
🎣 BI-OP-SEA | 4 Blue Marlin Releases | $65,450
Here’s to a strong start of the @ncbillfishseries 🎣 Next up ➡️ The Swansboro Bluewater Tournament this weekend at Big Rock Landing
📸 Cover Image: @devind_sobx
