Author: Madison Maxwell

BUILDER’S CHOICE came in and swept the competition with a GRAND SLAM to win 24th Annual KWLA Tournament! The Jarrett Bay Hull 59 weighed in a 33.9-lb Dolphin, putting them in the lead after the team released TWO blue marlin for 800 points. That puts them in 1st Place in Level I, Level II WTA Dolphin Winner AND Level III WTA Release.

Congratulations to our 2nd Place Winners, DOC FEES, and 3rd Place, SEA TOY!

A 32.9-lb dolphin earned REEL E BUGGING 2nd Place Dolphin. RELEASE captured the largest tuna, weighing 51.5-lbs, and BILL COLLECTOR followed in 2nd Place with a 47.8-lb catch.

NATURAL took home the largest wahoo prize for a 49.1-lb catch. OCEAN STINGER caught 2nd place with a 17.5-lb wahoo.

Congratulations to ALL our winners & THANK YOU to our Major Sponsor, BB&T / Now Truist + all tournament sponsors! Below is the complete leaderboard & payouts.

Participants came in HOT & HEAVY! The 2021 tournament hosted a RECORD-BREAKING 270 boats = 50 MORE than the previous record of 220 during the 41st Annual Big Rock back in 1999!

A record number of entries produced another RECORD-BREAKING purse totaling $4,749,200! Expectations were high going into Day 1 & the fleet did not disappoint! Participants delivered an ACTION PACKED week with 7 blue marlin appearances & 141 billfish releases!

After a year of virtual interaction, it was incredible to see the camaraderie between participants & genuine excitement from the community, again! A big THANK YOU to ALL of our participants, sponsors and supporters.

Below are the final tournament results & prize payouts!

⚠️ KWLA Tournament UPDATE! ⚠️

Due to the forecast for Saturday, June 12th, the tournament has made the decision to offer lady angler participants the option to fish on ONE of two days.

The KWLA tournament will remain a one-day only event, with the choice of fishing either Saturday OR Sunday from 8AM to 2PM. You MUST SUBMIT A LAYDAY FORM either electronically via the Big Rock App OR in-person at Tournament Headquarters prior to 8AM Saturday.

KWLA participants must register before Saturday morning to be eligible to fish either day. If you plan to fish on Sunday, your registration must be submitted with payment prior to 7AM on Saturday, June 12th.

Questions? Please contact either Crystal Hesmer, (252) 241-1515or Madison Maxwell, (252) 725-1568

Pre-Register for the Inaugural Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament before May 1st to earn a bonus 50 release points!

Register online or at tournament headquarters, TODAY! https://www.reeltimeapps.com/live/tournaments/2021-big-rock-kids-billfish-tournament/register

The 1st Annual Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament will be held July 14th – July 17th, 2021 and will be a participating tournament in the NC Billfish Series.

The Big Rock Kids Tournament is hopeful that participants will continue to grow the sport by passing the rod to junior anglers on board. Boats will be awarded an extra 25 points for billfish released by a Big Rock Kid (age 16 & under), but anglers of all ages are encouraged to fish.

The tournament schedule is as follows:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14TH, 2021
– CAPTAIN’S MEETING, 5:30 PM- Big Rock Landing
– PIG PICKIN’ DINNER, 6:00 PM- Big Rock Landing (Participants Only)

THURSDAY, JULY 15TH, 2021
– FISHING DAY 1, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Three days, one required lay day (Captain’s Choice)
– GAMEFISH WEIGH-INS, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM- Big Rock Landing

FRIDAY, JULY 16TH, 2021
– FISHING DAY 2, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Three days, one required lay day (Captain’s Choice)
– GAMEFISH WEIGH-INS, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM- Big Rock Landing
– FOOD TRUCKS + FUN AT THE FOUNTAIN, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM- Big Rock Landing

SATURDAY, JULY 17TH, 2021
– FISHING DAY 3, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Three days, one required lay day (Captain’s Choice)
– GAMEFISH WEIGH-INS, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM- Big Rock Landing
– AWARDS CEREMONY + DINNER, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM- Big Rock Landing

The board of directors is eager to present Kurtis Chevrolet located on HWY 70 in Morehead City as the tournament’s Major Sponsor. The tournament’s primary beneficiary, the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastal Plain provides care to more than 1,300 at-risk and in-need children.

For more information visit, thebigrock.com/kids or contact Carlee Sharpe, BRK Tournament Director, (919) 801-8346.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is thrilled to announce the inaugural Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament.

The tournament will fill the vacancy left by the Boys & Girls Club Billfish Classic in the North Carolina Governor’s Cup Series, taking place July 14-17, 2021.

“Part of the Big Rock’s mission is to promote marine education and sportfishing throughout Carteret County and the State of North Carolina. What better way to do this than to spark the interest in our next generation of sport fishermen and women?” exclaimed Joy Bell, president of The Big Rock. 

The Big Rock Kids Tournament is hopeful that participants will continue to grow the sport by passing the rod to junior anglers on board. Boats will be awarded an extra 25 points for billfish released by a Big Rock Kid (age 16 & under), but anglers of all ages are encouraged to fish. 

The board of directors is eager to present Kurtis Chevrolet located on HWY 70 in Morehead City as the tournament’s Major Sponsor. The dealership has faithfully served Eastern North Carolina since 1981. 

“We at Kurtis Chevrolet are proud & excited to be the Major Sponsor of the newly formed Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament supporting local children’s charities.” commented owner, Dean Wagaman.

The tournament’s primary beneficiary, the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastal Plain provides care to more than 1,300 at-risk and in-need children.

For more information, please contact Tournament Director, Carlee Sharpe at 919-801-8346.

The Big Rock Tournament was thrilled to join City Council, city staff, and residents at Shevans Park playground in Morehead City on September 8th for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Construction of the new Shevans Park playground began around the new year and was finished in May. The city had hoped to debut the playground when it was completed, but it wasn’t until earlier this month when North Carolina issued it’s latest phased reopening plan that would allow Morehead City to officially open the new playground to the public. 

Thanks to the unwavering support from Big Rock participants, sponsors & supporters, The Big Rock Foundation made a $150,000 charitable contribution in the Fall of 2019 to the Town of Morehead City for a major upgrade to this popular town park. 

The new nautical themed playground features a climbable lighthouse, splash-pad, and several Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible amenities, including swings. 

“We’ve been patiently waiting and we’re just so excited for it to finally open,” City Manager Ryan Eggleston told the News-Times Tuesday. “We’re especially delighted to have such an accessible playground for all to use.”

Mr. Eggleston said the city is developing a cleaning protocol, based on state guidance, for all its public playgrounds. He said all the city’s playgrounds were disinfected prior to opening back up to public use.

“I’ve been told that patience is a virtue. I’ve also been told that good things come to those who wait,” Morehead City Mayor Jerry Jones said during his opening remarks at the ceremony. “…These good things don’t happen by themselves, it takes the support of the community, it takes leadership in our government and it takes the individuals.”

– Carolina Coast Online / Elise Clouser –