THE 2026 BIG ROCK RECAP: SIX DAYS. EIGHT BLUES WEIGHED. $9 MILLION PAID.
Morehead City, NC (June 18, 2026) — The 68th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament will go down as one of the most, if not the most, unforgettable weeks in tournament history.
With 278 boats in the fleet and more than $9 million paid out across six days of fishing, the 2026 Big Rock delivered everything the tournament is known for — a record-breaking catch, dramatic leaderboard shakeups, unforgettable camaraderie throughout the fleet, and nonstop offshore competition from start to finish.
Five Jarrett Bay boats won a combined $6,553,188 of the tournament’s record $9,038,225 purse—meaning 72.5% of the entire purse was awarded to just five boats that were built right here in Carteret County by the Major Sponsor itself. MARLIN FEVER accounted for more than 99% of the Jarrett Bay winnings, taking home $6,513,188. That left $2,485,037 of the purse to be divided among the rest of the 278-boat fleet.
A total of 331 billfish were released throughout the tournament, including 126 Blue Marlin, 120 White Marlin, and 84 Sailfish. The fleet posted an incredible 97.6% Blue Marlin release rate, continuing Big Rock’s long-standing commitment to conservation while showcasing some of the best offshore fishing in the world. For the first time in several years, only Blue Marlin weighing over 430-pounds were brought to the scales. A true testament to the dedication to conservation by our fleet.
The 68th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament wasted no time delivering unforgettable moments at the scales.
On Day 1, SAVANNA LEIGH brought a 439.2 lb. Blue Marlin to the scales, followed later that evening by FREE RANGER’S 436.2 lb. fish, immediately igniting tension within the competition for the Fabulous Fisherman’s Prize, which awards the first team to boat a 500+ lb. Blue Marlin. FREE RANGER’S arrival quickly became one of the early storylines of the week, as the team brought what felt like the entire village of Ocracoke to the docks, turning Big Rock Landing into a sea of cheering supporters each time they pulled in.
Then came Day 2 — June 9, 2026 — a day that will forever go down in Big Rock Tournament history.
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The 63’ Jarrett Bay MARLIN FEVER arrived at Big Rock Landing with a fish that immediately stunned the crowd gathered around the scales. But long before the boat reached the docks, rumors had already spread across town that the crew was bringing in something enormous — possibly even a record breaker.
As word traveled through Morehead City and beyond, anticipation quickly built throughout Big Rock Landing. Then, while MARLIN FEVER made its way in from offshore, the crew released a photo of the fish onboard, revealing the true size of the massive Blue Marlin and sending shockwaves through the tournament crowd. Suddenly, the entire town was buzzing with the possibility that MARLIN FEVER could make Big Rock history.
When the renowned orange hull finally began backing into Big Rock Landing, the rumors were confirmed.
The fish was so massive that MARLIN FEVER’S tuna door remained open as the crew eased toward the scales — an image instantly reminiscent of TOP DOG’S historic 914 lb. Blue Marlin in 2019, which famously hung partially out of the boat during the run in because it simply would not fit onboard. Now, seven years later, history appeared to be repeating itself.
Moments later, the scales made it official.
Angler Connor Daniel’s massive 919.9 lb. Blue Marlin shattered the all-time Big Rock tournament record, officially becoming the largest Blue Marlin ever weighed in tournament history.
Caught aboard the 63’ Jarrett Bay captained by Cameron Guthrie, MARLIN FEVER’S historic catch ultimately secured the team a staggering $6,513,188 payday — another tournament record. The payout included the Fabulous Fisherman’s Prize worth $871,250 along with the massive Level VI Super 20 Category worth $3,978,000 plus levels I – IV prizes totaling $1,663,938..
Mate Jackson Weeks later described the moment the crew realized just how special the fish truly was.
“We knew she was a good one — a very good one. But when we finally put the tape measure on her, it just confirmed what we were seeing with our own eyes,” Weeks said. “Justin was holding the dumb end, I was holding the smart end, and when I looked down at the number, my eyes got real wide. I looked at him, looked back at the tape again, and started crying. It completely overwhelmed me.”
Despite holding what would become the winning fish — and eventually the largest Blue Marlin in tournament history — the crew aboard MARLIN FEVER never acted like the tournament was over.
“There’s a lot of fishing left, and the best fishermen in the world are out here right now,” Weeks said after the weigh-in. “If there’s a bigger one swimming out there tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody catches it. We definitely don’t feel comfortable with the lead.”
Even with MARLIN FEVER firmly atop the leaderboard, the scales continued delivering unforgettable moments throughout the week.
HIT N RUN made a major move after MARLIN FEVER’s weigh-in with Lady Angler Laura Russell’s 549.2 lb. Blue Marlin, while FREE RANGER returned to the scales on Day 3 after angler Reid Wood boated an impressive 597.4 lb. fish to jump into third place overall at the time — once again arriving with a massive crowd of supporters from Ocracoke lining the docks.
Later that same evening, the 64’ Jarrett Bay BUILDER’S CHOICE arrived at the scales with USMC MGySgt Joe Herman, who earlier that day released his very first Blue Marlin before bringing his second blue marlin, a 530.0 lb. fish back to Big Rock Landing.
The moment carried even more meaning considering it was owner Harris Huddle’s birthday — but instead of taking the chair himself, Huddle handed the opportunity to Herman, another testament of the Big Rock Big Hero fleet’s dedication to giving back to those that give us the freedom to fish.
Herman participated in this year’s tournament through Big Rock Big Hero presented by Pimp Shrimp Clothing Co., a program honoring servicemembers through the sport of offshore fishing.
During the weigh-in, Big Rock TV host and Big Rock Board Member Tommy Bennett reflected on the significance of the moment.
“People like this look fear in the eye and run toward danger so we can all be here today,” Bennett said. This statement could not be more true, and we’re thankful we had a moment to reflect on that at the scales this year.
A special thank you goes out to MGySgt Joe Herman and all of the Big Rock Big Hero servicemembers who participated in this year’s tournament.
Then came another unforgettable weigh-in.
Just after 7PM on Day 3, FENDER BENDER pulled into Big Rock Landing with angler Chris Scerri’s massive 644.1 lb. Blue Marlin, rocketing the team into second place overall and electrifying the crowd gathered around the docks. The team locked in their second place prize of $467,963.
But the final night of the tournament still had one more surprise left.
As the scales prepared to close on the final evening of Big Rock Week, HAPHAZARD made a dramatic late-night arrival at Big Rock Landing with a 635.6 lb. Blue Marlin caught by angler Joey Belton. With fans packed shoulder-to-shoulder, an estimated crowd of 4,000+ surrounded the weigh station. Even as the ETA was continually getting pushed farther and farther, the fish finally made its arrival and did not disappoint. The catch officially locked the team into third place overall, capping off one of the most electric finishes in recent tournament history and earning the team $311,975.
The Release Division once again proved to be one of the most competitive categories in the tournament, with leaderboard shakeups happening nearly every day offshore.
In the Free Fly Level VII Release Division, DOUBLE G surged into first place on the final day of fishing with 1,850 points after releasing 4 Blue Marlin and 2 White Marlin, earning the team $168,937. WAVE PAVER finished second overall along with capturing the Day 4 + Day 5 daily prizes of $56,313. After an incredible week offshore that included multiple daily leaderboard appearances and the Gregory Poole First Blue Marlin Release of Day 5, WAVE PAVER’S winnings totaled $218,988, even more than DOUBLE G’S first place prize. Father-Son, Captain-Mate Duo, Shane and Hunter Brafford landed MARSH MADNESS in the top three after holding the overall lead for much of the tournament week. Their reward was $67,575.
The Level IX Non-Sonar Release Division remained incredibly tight throughout the tournament before WASABI officially secured the division victory with 800 points from 2 Blue Marlin releases over the course of the week, earning $61,625. THE HURRICANE finished close behind in second place with 800 points of their own earning $36,975, while TAMMY GAIL surged into third overall on the final day of fishing after tallying 2 Blue Marlin releases worth 800 points over the tournament, earning the team a spot on the final leaderboard and a payout of $20,541.
Daily Release Winners Throughout the Week Included:
Day 1:
Sonar: WALL HANGER | 2 BM | 800 pts. | $56,312.50
Non-Sonar: BEAGLE | 1 BM | 400 pts. | $20,541.67
Day 2:
Sonar: SECOTAN | 2 BM 1 SF | 925 pts. | $56,312.50
Non-Sonar: SEA MOORE | 1 BM | $20,541.67
Day 3:
Sonar: LUCIBRI | 1BM 2 WM | 650 pts. | $56,312.50
Non-Sonar: FAMILY TIME | 1 BM 1 WM | 525 pts. | $20,541.67
Day 4:
Sonar: WAVE PAVER | 2BM 1WM | 925 pts. | $56,312.50
Non-Sonar: WASABI | 1 BM 1 WM | 525 pts. | $20,541.67
Day 5:
Sonar: WAVE PAVER | 1BM | 400 pts. | $56,312.50
Non-Sonar: LUCKY 3 | 1 SF | 125 pts. | $20,541.67
Day 6:
Sonar: ASTRIKOS | 2BM | 800 pts. | $56,312.50
Non-Sonar: HOOKIN’ GINGERS | 1 BM | $20,541.67
The gamefish divisions brought nonstop action to the scales all week long.
In the Parker Offshore Level VII Dolphin Winner-Take-All Division, DOC FEES secured the largest gamefish payouts of the tournament after Lady Angler Keaton Gilleece weighed a massive 66.1 lb. mahi on Day 1. The fish held through the remainder of the week and earned the team an incredible $584,500 payday ($569,500: Level VII + $15,000: Level I).
REMIX MAIN STAGE finished second overall in the Dolphin Division with a 63.0 lb. mahi caught by Kenny Hernandez, while also claiming the final daily dolphin payout of the tournament.
In the Tuna Division, WATERTIGHT secured the overall tournament title with a 70.8 lb. tuna caught by angler Nick Gallaher. TRIPLE HEADER finished second overall while also earning multiple daily payouts throughout the week across both the tuna and dolphin divisions.
The Wahoo Division delivered one of the closest finishes of the entire week. The 55’ Jarrett Bay MAGIC MOMENT claimed the overall title with a 53.4 lb. wahoo caught by angler Cullen Sharpe, narrowly edging out PIRACY by just one tenth of a pound after PIRACY weighed a 53.3 lb. fish on the final day of fishing.
The 68th Annual Big Rock once again showcased not only world-class offshore fishing, but also the unmatched atmosphere surrounding Big Rock Week. Thousands packed the docks daily at Big Rock Landing to witness record-setting catches, emotional weigh-ins, and unforgettable moments unfold live at the scales.
From historic catches and million-dollar payouts to dramatic final-night weigh-ins and nonstop offshore action, the 2026 Big Rock proved once again why it remains the best blue marlin tournament in the world.
To the winners, participants, crews, sponsors, fans, volunteers, and staff — thank you for making the 68th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament one for the history books.
We’ll see you next year!