2025 BIG ROCK RECAP: THE TOURNAMENT ALWAYS DELIVERS, NEVER DISAPPOINTS
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. — The 67th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament was one for the history books. With 272 boats in the fleet and a total purse of $6,325,875 on the line, this year’s tournament delivered everything we’ve come to expect from Big Rock Week and more. A record-setting 420 billfish were released throughout the week, including 238 blue marlin, 109 sailfish, and 73 white marlin. In a historic first, the entire fleet took a lay day on the same day and returned to the water together the following morning, setting the stage for one of the most competitive four-day shootouts in tournament history.
The week’s defining moment came in the final minutes of the tournament. In buzzer-beater fashion, BIG TROUBLE brought a 517-pound blue marlin to the scales. It was enough to claim the Fabulous Fisherman’s Prize of $807,500 on the spot. With no other qualifying marlin weighed, BIG TROUBLE was named the winner of the 67th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, taking home a total of $2,285,125.
Angler Brandon Creech called the moment surreal. “I’ve been fishing this tournament for about 15 years, and this is the first check I’ve ever pulled. It all happened so fast—the fight was less than 30 minutes. I thank God for it, the owner, Captain Chris Daniels, and our amazing crew.”
Daniels, who was met at Big Rock Landing by a crowd of fans, added, “Thank y’all for coming out in the rain. I thought we were going back in to nobody at the landing with the weather like it was. It was the perfect bite, the perfect guy on the reel, everything went smoothly, and here we are.”
Second place went to BANKWALKER, with a 449.7-pound blue marlin caught by lady angler Lizzie Montague, earning the team $603,750. “It was the coolest experience of my life,” Lizzie said. “I’ll never take that for granted.” Her father and captain, Bryant Montague, couldn’t have been prouder. “If there’s a million-dollar fish on the line, Lizzie’s in the chair. She’s smooth, steady, and never gets rattled. I’d put her up against any man out here.” Their family boat was filled with generations of anglers, including Lizzie’s 85-year-old grandmother, who fished in this year’s KWLA Tournament and was there to celebrate the catch.
The fleet of Jarrett Bay boats had a standout year, earning $904,525 of the overall purse. The 67’ Jarrett Bay SEA WISH made their Big Rock debut by traveling from Puerto Rico and weighing a 47.2-pound mahi to win the Dolphin Winner Take All Division, earning $563,250 in total prizes.
In the Release Division, the competition was tight between two Jarrett Bay hulls: MAGIC MOMENT (Hull 27) and BUILDER’S CHOICE (Hull 59). MAGIC MOMENT earned 2525 points (6BM, 1WM), winning Friday’s daily release and 2nd place overall with a total of $147,685.50. BUILDER’S CHOICE finished just behind, in 3rd place with 2500 (5 BM, 1WM, and 3 SF) points and a total payout of $118,150, including a blue marlin release by Big Rock Big Hero Joshua Newsome.
DEVELOPIN’ HABITS, a 53’ Jarrett Bay, took top honors in the Non-Sonar Division with 925 points and $75,437.50 in winnings. JOB SITE followed in second place with the help of Big Rock Big Hero Michael Wahl who caught and released 2 Blue Marlin, earning $45,262.50, while C ESCAPE finished third with $30,175.
WAVE PAVER was a force in the Release Division, winning first place with 4 blue marlin, 4 white marlin, and 10 sailfish. The team had an exceptional week that included four Grand Slams — two on Thursday, followed by another on both Friday and Saturday. They earned $206,762.50 in prize money. “This is our favorite stop on the tournament circuit,” said owner JR Davis. “To fish in Beaufort and Morehead City and be embraced by this community means a lot. We’ve caught a Grand Slam outside the U.S., but this was our first domestic one. To end up with four was just incredible.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be Big Rock Week without a little weather and a little suspense. The Big Rock Board of Directors would like to commend the crew of SOUTHERN GRACE for their exceptional catch and display of sportsmanship. We look forward to welcoming them back to Big Rock Landing during Big Rock Kids, July 9-12, 2025. Additional recognition goes to the teams aboard WASTE KNOT (67′ Jarrett Bay) and REEL LINEMAN, who voluntarily pulled their lines in during the final hour of the tournament with millions still on the table to assist a boat taking on water. A special thank you to the crew of COST PLUS, who were not fishing in the tournament but responded quickly to rescue five participants from a burning boat. Thanks to their efforts, everyone returned safely with no injuries.
Looking ahead, the 68th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is set for June 5–14, 2026. With $1,428,000 rolling over in the Super 20 Division, anticipation is already building for another unforgettable week.
To the winners, participants, fans, staff, and sponsors — thank you for making this tournament what it is. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament continues to set the standard, and we’re proud to be known as the best blue marlin tournament in the world.