Category: News

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – It’s official … it’s a shootout. The 60th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament heads into its final hours with most of its record $2,560,925 purse still up for grabs.

Since only 61 boats are fished out, two thirds of the field (122 boats) still have a shot to be the big winner. If tournament leaders aren’t worried they should be. A short list of boats eligible to fish Saturday reads like a Big Rock all-star lineup:

• Sea Striker won two Big Rocks (37th and 43rd) and is looking to become the first boat to score three Big Rock victories. Sea Striker captain Adrian Holler, Newport, also held a lead in the 39th Big Rock.
• Sea Creature, captained by Steve Coulter of Hatteras, won the 51st Big Rock with a Saturday catch and had the final hook-up of the 41st Big Rock. Coulter also captained the Outlaw to victory in the 34th Big Rock.
• Two recent Big Rock champions (Inspiration – 2014 and Ashley Lauren – 2016) are shooting to add second titles to their resume while Morehead City-based Waste Knot, the 1998 champion, would duplicate what it did 20 years ago with a winning Saturday catch.

Honey Hush, captained by Chuck Lindner, Morehead City, has held the Big Rock lead since Tuesday with a 518.5-pounder.  Honey Hush angler Robert Gorrell reeled in the catch to put his team in position to win $753,875.

Game Changer, captained by Geoff Rosenberry, Bluffton, SC, took the tournament’s inaugural lead Tuesday with a 409.2-pound blue marlin that was reeled in by angler Michael Perry. Game Changer, the inaugural tournament leader, was bumped down the standings by Honey Hush, but is positioned to receive $262,400 if it can stay in second place.

Rare Breed, captained by Bubba Simmons, Mt. Pleasant, SC, holds third place with a 400.4-pound blue marlin caught by E.J. Nettles, a 16-year-old junior angler from Charleston. Nettles’ catch is currently worth $174,300, but any change to the blue marlin standings would bump Rare Breed off the leaderboard.

The offshore bite improved Friday as anglers released 17 blue marlins, two white marlins and three sailfish. One blue marlin was boated by the Dun-Rite fishing team but that catch did not meet tournament minimums.

Big Rock rules require blue marlins brought to the scales to be at least 400 pounds or measure 110 inches by lower jaw fork length. Dun-Rite has one more day to fish but will be penalized 400 pounds on any other blue marlin brought to the scales and 400 points from its overall release point total.

So far, no boat entered in the Level V Fabulous Fishermen division has been able to find a 500-pound blue marlin. A 500-pounder is worth $501,500 to the first Level V boat to weigh one in.

Since there is only one day left for the 67 remaining Level V participants to weigh in a blue marlin, it’s necessary to explain what will happen to the $501,500 prize if no Level V 500-pounder is caught. If no qualifying Level V fish is weighed in, the total amount of prize money will be paid to “the boat entered in this category that attains the most release points.”

Currently, Wallhanger, a boat captained by Gary Blount, Greenville, is set to win $706,958, which includes the $501,500 Level V prize money. Wallhanger, a boat owned by Brian Allen, Raleigh, leads the overall release category with three blue marlins and one white marlin release for a total of 1,325 release points.

Shifting Gears, a boat captained by Alan Scibal, Beaufort, holds second place with 1,200 release points. Wallhanger and Shifting Gears are both fished out with a dozen boats within reasonable striking distance of taking the top spot.

Reel Crazy, captained by John Munroe, Bald Head Island, tallied the first release of the day to win $5,000. Release, captained by Rom Whitaker, Hatteras, collected 800 release points for two blue marlin releases Friday to win the $48,521 Level VIII daily release of prize. Whitaker elected to upgrade and participate in Level VIII just a short time before tournament registrations closed.

Goombay, captained by Brian Peele, Salter Path, continues to lead the winner-take-all dolphin division with a 71.1-pounder pulled in by angler Jeff Ross. Goombay is positioned to win $146,200 plus $7,000 in daily and other weekly prizes.

Sarcastic, captained by Jonathan Rose, Burlington, leads the wahoo division with a 74.4 pounder caught by angler Gary Teer. The Sarcastic catch is worth $7,000 in daily and weekly prizes.

Reel Country, captained by Mark Chambers, Morehead City, holds the tuna division lead with a 19.9-pounder landed by Mark Ellington. The Reel Country catch is worth $7,000 in daily and weekly prizes.

Waste Knot, a boat owned by Tom Groce, Norfolk, won the fifth 60^thBig Rock Rolex watch drawing conducted at the end of fishing Friday. One more fishing team will win a Rolex Submariner after lines are pulled from the water Saturday.

Competitors are allowed to fish four-of-six fishing days and must notify officials of the days they do not intend to fish. Fishing hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday as the tournament draws to a close. Any hook-up that occurs before 2 p.m. Saturday can continue until it reaches a resolution. Resolutions include being caught, being released or the fish simply getting away.

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – The 60th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament heads into its final two days with competitors knowing that more than half of the record $2,560,925 purse is still up for grabs.

That’s bad news for the 23 boats that are fished out, but great news for the 81 boats that still have two days left to fish. Anglers on 102-of-183 boats in the field must take a one more lay day – either Friday or Saturday – in what’s shaping up to be a shootout.

Thursday turned out to be a great day for gamefishing. Goombay, captained by Brian Peele, Salter Path, put angler Jeff Ross on a 71.1-pound dolphin to take the lead in that division. Goombay is in position to win the $146,200 winner-take-all dolphin prize plus $7,000 in daily and other weekly prizes.

Sarcastic, captained by Jonathan Rose, Burlington, and angler Gary Teer grabbed the Wahoo division lead with a catch that tipped the scales at 74.4 pounds. The Sarcastic catch is worth $7,000 in daily and weekly prizes.

While gamefish action took center stage, blue marlin action slowed. None of the 118 boats entered in the Level V Fabulous Fishermen division have been able to find a 500-pound blue marlin. A 500-pounder is worth $501,500 to the first Level V boat to weigh one in. More on this in five paragraphs.

Honey Hush, captained by Chuck Lindner, Morehead City, has held the Big Rock blue marlin division lead since Tuesday with a 518.5-pounder reeled in by angler Robert Gorrell. Honey Hush is in position to win $753,875 from the Big Rock’s purse if it can hold onto the tournament lead two more days.

Game Changer, captained by Geoff Rosenberry, Bluffton, SC, took the tournament’s inaugural lead Tuesday with a 409.2-pound blue marlin reeled in by angler Michael Perry. Game Changer was bumped down the standings by Honey Hush but is in position to receive $262,400 if they can stay in second place.

Rare Breed, captained by Bubba Simmons, Mt. Pleasant, SC, holds third place with a 400.4-pounder caught by 16-year-old angler E.J. Nettles, Charleston. Nettles’ catch is worth $174,300 if there are no changes to the blue marlin leaderboard.

Fishing teams that elected to go offshore Thursday probably wish that they hadn’t. Anglers released three blue marlin, two white marlin and four sailfish. No blue marlins were boated for the second straight day.

Since there are only two days left for Level V participants to weigh in a blue marlin that weighs 500 pounds or more, it’s become necessary to consider what happens to the $501,500 prize if the tie breaker comes into play. If no qualifying fish is weighed in, the total amount of prize money will be paid to “the boat entered in this category attaining the most release points.”

That sets up the potential for a crazy payday.

Currently, Wallhanger, a boat captained by Gary Blount, Greenville, is set to win a total of $706,958 including the $501,500 Level V prize money. Wallhanger, a boat owned by Brian Allen, Raleigh, released three blue marlins and one white marlin to tally 1,325 release points.

Wallhanger and the next top three boats in the overall release standings are fished out as of Thursday. That means every boat with a day or two to fish know exactly what number they need to beat.

Carterican, captained by Lee Smith, Morehead City, tallied the first release of the day to win $5,000. Double B, captained by Harry Smith, Greenville, was first to score 400 release points with the release of a blue marlin to win the $48,521 Thursday Level VIII daily release of prize $48,521.

Haphazard, a boat owned by Hap Royster, Winston-Salem, won the fourth 60^th Big Rock Rolex watch drawing conducted after fishing ended Thursday. Two more fishing teams have a shot to win a Rolex Submariner after lines are pulled from the water Friday and Saturday.

Competitors in the 60th Big Rock are allowed to fish four-of-six fishing days and must notify officials of the days they do not intend to fish. Fishing hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except Saturday when the fishing hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any fight that starts before the end-of-day deadline can continue until the hook-up reaches a resolution.

Workers at Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament headquarters on the Morehead City waterfront have strong connections to the six-day competition. Most grew up in the area. Others have family involved in the event. But one worker has perhaps the strongest ties of all. Katie Rascoe, Edenton, is the daughter of a Big Rock record-setting angler.

But before you begin to wonder what boat Rascoe’s dad fished on, you need to realign your thinking. It was Rascoe’s mother, Kathy Keel, who reeled in a record-breaking catch during the 35^th Big Rock competition.

In 1993, Keel caught a 759-pound blue marlin to win that year’s Big Rock. Keel’s catch remained a record for seven years until Summertime Blues set a new tournament mark with an 831-pounder. Keel’s catch remains the second largest blue marlin to win a Big Rock competition.

“I grew up in Edenton and we went to Hatteras every summer,” Rascoe said. “We mostly fished in the marlin tournaments up there, but wherever we went, people knew mom for winning the Big Rock.”

Rascoe, 19, a student at NC State majoring in Fashion Textiles Management, knew she wanted to work at the Big Rock headquarters if she got the chance. Rascoe hoped to make business connections at the Big Rock that might be a good fit with her collegiate studies. She jumped at the opportunity to join the Big Rock staff when she was offered a position.

“I knew working at the Big Rock would be a great opportunity,” she said. “It’s great the way the Big Rock gives back to the community and to charities. That has always impressed me. I wanted to work there and be a part of something special.”

The “something special” actually had its start in 1990 during the 32^nd Big Rock. Keel was fishing on Temptress back then and caught her first-ever blue marlin.

Keel’s catch that year topped the Big Rock scales at 450 pounds. It was big enough to lift Temptress to a third-place finish.

Keel’s father, Tilmon Keel, was on board when his daughter caught that first marlin. He was also on board three years later when she reeled in the Big Rock record breaker.

These days, Tilmon’s heath has been failing.

“My grandfather has been sick and my mom is taking care of him,” Rascoe said. “We’ve been talking on the phone. My grandfather still talks about “the catch” and loves that mom was able to catch a big fish like that. When you look at the picture, it was a monster.

“You hear about men catching big fish but it’s pretty awesome to know that my Mom caught a 759-pounder. She is my role model and she’s been a role model to others. Mom showed me and my older sister (Lucy Mae) that there aren’t any limits to what can be done.”

When fish aren’t being weighted at the scales, Rascoe focuses on retail sales.

“It’s hectic during the tournament but it’s fun finding something that someone really wants or helping someone pick out the correct size T-shirt. When you tell the customers about how tournament proceeds go to charities, they say “Wow” and buy another T-shirt.”

Just a few feet away is a picture of Rascoe’s mom standing next to a blue marlin that won the 35^th Big Rock.

“I saw the same picture up on the wall at home while growing up but to come down here and see it on the Big Rock champion’s wall opened my eyes,” Rascoe said. “Obviously, it’s a big deal … but to go somewhere where everyone has a Big Rock shirt on and see that Mom caught one of the biggest blue marlins, it’s so special. It’s great to see Big Rock excitement from a different level.”

And Keel is excited that her youngest daughter was afforded this great opportunity at Big Rock headquarters.

“I think it’s fabulous,” Keel said. “Katie has grown up knowing about the Big Rock but to be there and experience it, to see competitors bring in big fish is great. Tomorrow will be 25 years since I caught that winning fish. The tournament’s gotten a lot bigger since then and I’m glad Katie is getting a chance to see it up close.”

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – Rare Breed managed two rare feats Wednesday when it grabbed a spot on the 60^th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament leaderboard by the narrowest of margins with the youngest of anglers.

Rare Breed angler E.J. Nettles, Charleston, fought a 400.4-pound blue marlin for 32 minutes before the decision was made to take the fish. Nettles, 16, has fished competitively before, but this was the first time he landed a blue marlin in competition. He is believed to be the first junior angler to land a blue marlin big enough to make the Big Rock leaderboard.

“To do something like this, to bring a fish to the scales during the Big Rock is pretty amazing,” Nettles said when told about his rare feat. “I fished up in Virginia Beach last year but this is pretty special. To put our team on the leaderboard for that much money … that’s exciting.”

A second junior angler shared center stage Wednesday when Job Site angler William Farrior, 16, reeled in a 32.7-pound dolphin. Farrior’s catch held on to win the $2,000 daily prize for the largest dolphin catch of the day.

Breed captain Bubba Simmons, Mt. Pleasant, SC, was surprised his angler’s catch almost didn’t make the leaderboard. Simmons measured the fish at 108 inches and figured there would be no problem making the 400-pound minimum set by Big Rock rules.

He was right … by just under half a pound.

“Wow … it was close … we thought the fish was bigger than that,” Simmons said. “We had it right at 108 (inches in lower jaw fork length measurement) and calculated 485 (pounds) or maybe 500 … but it was too skinny.”

But not too skinny to make the Big Rock leaderboard.

Nettles catch is currently worth $174,300 if there are no changes to the leaderboard in the final half of the competition.

Honey Hush, captained by Chuck Lindner, Morehead City, grabbed the Big Rock lead Tuesday with a 518.5-pounder reeled in by angler Robert Gorrell. Honey Hush is in position to win $753,875 from the Big Rock’s record $2,560,925 purse if it can hold onto the tournament lead through the final three days of fishing.

Game Changer, captained by Geoff Rosenberry, Bluffton, SC, took the tournament’s inaugural lead Tuesday with a 409.2-pound blue marlin reeled in by angler Michael Perry. The Game Changer catch is worth $262,400 if they can stay in second place.

Desperado, captained by Bryan Peele, Virginia Beach, tallied the first release of the day to win $5,000. Coverage, captained by Hunter Blount, Greenville, was first to score 925 release points with the release of two blue marlins and a sailfish to win the Wednesday Level VIII daily release of prize $48,521.

Crews from 152-of-183 boats went offshore Wednesday to try to be first to land a big blue marlin. The Big Rock’s Level V prize of $501,500 is still up for grabs because no boat entered in that category has been able to scare up a big fish.

All competitors are hopeful since the bite has definitely improved. Indicators lean toward even better conditions as the 60^th Big Rock enters its second half.

As the tournament moved toward its midpoint, release numbers nearly doubled what had taken place in the previous two days. Anglers finished Wednesday fishing with the release of 31 blue marlins, 11 white marlins, 3 sailfish and 1 hatchet marlin along with one boated blue.

Fin Print, a boat owned by Doghouse at Sea, LLC, New Bern, won the third 60^th Big Rock Rolex watch drawing conducted after the third fishing day came to an end. The watch was presented to Fin Print captain Ralph Griffin, a seasoned Big Rock competitor who was the winning captain aboard Chainlink back in 2006. As Griffin received his new watch, two AV-8C Harrier aircraft flew over the Big Rock weigh station. It was a special fly-over on the part of the USMC to help commemorate the 60^th Big Rock and its support of active duty personnel through the Big Rock Big Hero program.

Three more fishing teams have a shot to win a Rolex Submariner each day after lines are pulled from the water.

Competitors in the 60 th Big Rock are allowed to fish four-of-six fishing days and must notify officials of the days they do not intend to fish. Fishing hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except Saturday when the fishing hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any fight that starts before the end-of-day deadline can continue until the hook-up reaches a resolution.

When the Big Rock Board of Directors created the “Big Rock Big Hero” program, they wanted to honor the men and women who sacrifice to serve America. Interested active duty servicemen were nominated to participate and six were chosen to take part this year. The move harkens back to a time when two active duty servicemen were invited to participate and helped win the competition.

Back in 1961, long before a $2,560,925 Big Rock purse was ever imagined, people were celebrating the 17th anniversary of D-Day in their own quiet way. Lt. Col. Walt Turner, Havelock, had just shared a few drinks with some friends and was about to retire for the night when the phone rang. It was 10 p.m.

“Master Sgt. Jack Duckett called and asked if I’d like to go marlin fishing in the morning,” said Turner. “I asked him, `How early in the morning?’ and he told me I had to leave about midnight. I met him down at the (Atlantic Beach) causeway and we started out around 1 a.m. In those days, it took a long time to get out to the Gulf Stream.”

It was a simpler time … long before satellite-navigation systems and infrared-imaging of the Gulf Stream currents. Boats were lucky to make eight knots. Not all boats had radios and those that did had short-wave sets. People didn’t even know about the underwater structure that would later be called the “Big Rock.” It wouldn’t be charted until later when special depth-finding equipment was invented. Turner remembered it well.

“The tournament was called the Fabulous Fisherman’s Blue Marlin Tournament back then and Duckett had an invite to go out on the Tom n’ Jerry charter boat,” Turner said. “Duckett had a business that replaced canvas covers for boats and he had just finished a job for Tom Talton (owner of the Tom n’ Jerry.) Tom was pleased with the canvas work and invited Duckett to go fishing. I was going along for the ride.”

But Turner – who had never been blue marlin fishing before – was in the fighting chair when a blue marlin started chasing the bait.

“We got out there about 7 a.m. and, I guess around 8:30 or 9 a.m., we saw a fish,” he said. “When it hit, I flipped the reel to the free-spool position and let it run for a while. Then I set a loose drag before locking down on the fish.”

Suddenly the fish exploded out of the water, about 75 feet behind the boat.

“It was as big as a barn door, and it looked red,” said Turner, who was almost pulled out of the chair. “We found out why later, after about a 50-minute fight. That blue marlin had swallowed the bait so deep it was hooked down in its stomach. The mate had to reach a yard inside its throat to get the hook out.”

Turner, who at the time was recovering from a heart attack, shared time in the fighting chair with Duckett to bring the 139-inch marlin to gaff.

“We finally got a rope around its tail and hauled it in the boat with a `gin pole’,” Turner said. There were no other fish reported (over the radio) that day, so we knew we were in good shape as we headed back to the dock.”

Back in Havelock, Edna Turner, Walt’s wife, was going about her duties as a paid employee of the Red Cross at MCAS Cherry Point. Someone at the base had a short-wave radio and told her of her husband’s good fortune.

“But when they told me, I didn’t believe it,” she said. “I thought they must have caught a big cobia or something. Not a blue marlin. Walt had never caught one of those before.”

Or since.

“Oh, I went out a couple more times after that, but that was the only time I caught one,” admitted Turner. “They asked me when we got it to the scales if I wanted it mounted. Well, it cost about $100 an inch, but that wasn’t the only problem. I would have had to build a new room in the house just to put it in. But it was a gorgeous fish.”

About 100 fishing fans were on hand at 5 p.m. when the Tom n’ Jerry finally made its way to the official scales next to the old Capt. Bill’s Restaurant on the Morehead City Waterfront. The blue marlin weighed in at 474 pounds and earned Turner and Duckett fine trophies.

But what about the money?

“We got the trophies … that was it,” said Turner with a laugh. “The boat owner got a small cash prize … $250, I think. But I’m not sure about that. I was just thrilled to get a trophy.”

And the title of Big Rock champion.

This week, six Big Rock Big Hero participants get to experience the excitement that Turner and Duckett felt 57 years ago. The Big Rock Heroes have been on contestant boats every day and all have seen billfish or gamefish fights.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Bobby Whitehead experienced a long blue marlin fight on the Accordingly IV.”

“I started out in the back of the boat and (the blue marlin) was rooster tailing,” Whitehead said. “It was awesome. When we hooked it, everyone ran to their places. Besides my wife and kids, this was the best experience.”

Turner and Duckett would agree. Their last-minute invite led to something very special. Both would be pleased that Big Rock Big Heroes now get to share their Big Rock experience. There’s nothing quite like wonderful offshore moments that are remembered forever.

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – Honey Hush, captained by Chuck Lindner, Morehead City, grabbed the second-day lead of the 60^th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament with a 518.5-pounder reeled in by angler Robert Gorrell.

The Honey Hush is in position to win $753,875 from the Big Rock’s $2,560,925 purse if it can hold onto the tournament lead through the final four days of fishing. Honey Hush would have won a guaranteed $501,500 for being first to the scales with a blue marlin that weighed 500 pounds or more but elected not to enter that winner-take-all Level V category of the competition. The winner-take-all prize is still available as the Big Rock approaches its midpoint.

Gorrell’s catch was somewhat unusual in that it required just a 41-minute fight and began with a zig-zag start.

“We were checking for grass in the lines when someone yells out ‘right teaser,’” said Gorrell. “We scrambled and (boat owner) Rob (Warren) threw out some pitch bait. Rob was trying to draw the blue marlin closer. Then nothing … it looked like it was gone.

“Then, all of a sudden, it shows up in the left teaser … and hits the left-short rigger. That’s when the fight was on.”

Gorrell, stepson of Big Rock past president Billy Kornegay, drew on nearly 20 years of Big Rock experience to reel in his catch. This was Gorrell’s first visit to the Big Rock scales with a blue marlin catch and it turned out to be everything he dreamed of.

“My roommate from college, Thomas Strange, was here at the weigh station and that surprised me,” Gorrell said. “My mom (Marci) was here … other friends. It was very special.”

A crowd of several thousand cheered for the Honey Hush as the boat backed into the weigh station and yelled even louder when the weight of the fish was announced. Gorrell was later swarmed by TV reporters and grinned widely as he told the details of the strike.

Earlier in the day, Game Changer, captained by Geoff Rosenberry, Bluffton, SC, took the tournament’s inaugural lead with a 409.2-pound blue marlin. Angler Michael Perry brought that fish to gaff after a 63-minute fight.

Rosenberry made the decision to take the fish almost immediately since the Big Rock leader board was wide open and weather looked troublesome for Wednesday.

“When the fish jumped the first time we figured it was 400 pounds on the dot,” said Rosenberry. “I guess we’ve got pretty good eyes … but we’ve done this once or twice in our lives.”

Rosenberry, Perry and the crew have been fishing together for 15 years. Their current catch is worth $262,400 if they can stay in second place.

Freestyle, captained by Kenny Sexton, Manteo, tallied the first release of the day to win $5,000. Shenandoah, captained by Alan Willis, Morehead City, released two blue marlins to win the Tuesday Level VIII daily release of prize $48,521.

Crews from 132-of-183 boats went offshore Tuesday to try to be first to land a big blue marlin. Since the Level V prize of $501,500 is still up for grabs, there may be a push to go offshore Wednesday despite projected rough conditions.

Syked Out, owned by Dave Sykes, Isle of Palms, SC, won the second 60^th Big Rock Rolex watch drawing conducted shortly after the second fishing day came to an end. Four other fishing teams have a shot to win a Rolex each day after lines are pulled from the water.

Competitors in the 60th Big Rock are allowed to fish four-of-six fishing days and must notify officials of the days they do not intend to fish. Fishing hours are from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., except Saturday when the fishing hours are 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Any fight that starts before the end-of-day deadline can continue until the hook-up reaches a resolution.

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – As the first day of the 60^thBig Rock Blue Marlin Tournament came to a close, competitors were talking about how quickly fortunes can change.

Wallhanger, captained by Gray Blount, Greenville, scored the first release of the day, edging Carterican by 10 seconds to win $5,000. Later, when Wallhanger’s blue marlin captured the Monday Level VIII daily release prize (it was the first of seven teams to score 400 release points) it added another $48,521 to the Wallhanger’s cash haul.

Crews from 114-of-183 boats went offshore to try to be first to land a big blue marlin. A record $2,560,925 purse is up for grabs, including $501,500 to the first Level V boat to land a blue marlin weighing 500 pounds or more.

When the fishing day ended, four boats were still hooked up and fighting large fish. Big Rock’s version of “overtime” looked as if it might go on for hours. Unfortunately, all fights reached a resolution by 3:24 p.m.

Gusty winds and rough seas made fishing conditions somewhat tough. The offshore “rock and roll” had an impact on the the results.

In the end, eight billfish, including six blue marlin, were hooked and released. Weather conditions are forecasted to change and that shift of barometric pressure should bring a better bite as the competition continues.

Competitors on 69 boat teams elected to exercise 1-of-2 required lay days Monday. This turned out to be a good call since no big blue marlins were boated.

On Point, owned by On Point LLC, won the inaugural 60^thBig Rock Rolex watch drawing conducted shortly after the fishing day came to an end. Five other fishing teams have a shot to win a Rolex each day after lines are pulled from the water.

Even though there were no boated blue marlins, the 60^thBig Rock became historic when the first day of competition kicked off the “Big Rock Big Hero” program. Members of the Big Rock Board of Directors wanted to honor the men and women who protect this nation. Active duty personnel were nominated to participate and six outstanding service members were selected to go offshore with competitors to get an unforgettable fishing experience. Three of the chosen servicemen took part in the opening day action.

“I can’t put (this experience) into words,” said Brad Ivey, a Staff Sergeant stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB. “It was just so great. I really hope others get a chance to take part in this program. I know I won’t ever forget it.”

Teaz’em boat captain Mark Barton, Greenville., was so impressed with Ivey he asked the serviceman to go offshore with his team again Saturday when Ivey’s off duty.

While Ivey’s team only managed to scare up gamefish, Petty Officer 2nd Class Bobby Whitehead experienced a long blue marlin fight on the Accordingly IV.”

“I started out in the back of the boat and (the blue marlin) was rooster tailing,” Whitehead said. “It was awesome. When we hooked it, everyone ran to their places. Besides my wife and kids, this was the best experience.”

Accordingly IV captain Peter DuBose, Morehead City, credited Whitehead with bringing the boat beginner’s luck since it was the first time the Navy serviceman had ever gone offshore fishing.

Other service members will get a chance later in the week when their duty schedule allows.

Competitors in the 60th Big Rock are allowed to fish four-of-six fishing days and must notify officials of the days they do not intend to fish. Fishing hours are from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., but fights started before the deadline continue until the hook-up reaches a resolution.

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – As the final minutes ticked away before the start of the 60th Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, event officials shared knowing nods and well wishes since 183 boats had signed up to compete and a record purse of $2,560,925 would be up for grabs.

The purse for the 60th Big Rock reach historic heights late Sunday as more teams arrived in the area. Nine boats signed up during the pre-tournament dinner just hours before the six-day competition was set to begin. An upgrade received before the 9 a.m. Monday deadline set the final purse total.

This year, the first boat to the Big Rock scales with a blue marlin that weighs at least 500 pounds will win $501,500 if it is entered in the Level V “Winner Take All” category. If that catch stands up to win the tournament (and the boat was entered in all levels) the total prize money jumps to $1,255,375!

Because of blustery offshore conditions, 69 boats elected to use one-of-two mandatory lay days on the 60th Big Rock’s opener. More than half (37) of the 69 boats that elected to stay in port Monday are entered in the Level V category.

How this decision plays out will be the big story on opening day. Over the past six years, five eventual champions caught their winning blue marlin during Monday fishing hours.

The 60th Big Rock is special in many ways. To commemorate the event, Big Rock Board of Directors voted to honor the men and women who protect this great nation.

Active duty personnel were nominated to participate in the “Big Rock Big Hero” program and six outstanding service members were selected to go offshore with competitors to get an unforgettable fishing experience. That offshore experience begins Monday on the first day of competition.

“The selected service members have dedicated their lives and made immeasurable sacrifices for our freedom,” Hesmer said. “This is just a small way of showing our appreciation.”

In addition to the “Big Rock Big Hero” project, all competing teams have a chance to win one of six specially designed Rolex watches the were created to commemorate the 60^thBig Rock. One watch will be awarded via drawing to a different team each fishing day shortly after lines come out of the water. Six different teams will experience a very unique thrill of victory as competitors begin the long run in from the Gulf Stream fishing zone.

Last year, Run Off ran off to victory in the 59^thBig Rock. Run Off captain Brian Harrington, Morehead City, and angler Matt Hanley of Glen Allen, VA, teamed to catch a 533.8-pound blue marlin on the tournament’s opening day. Run Off mate Marty Hiatt, Morehead City, helped Harrington and Hanley score their wire-to-wire victory with timely support that yielded a cash payout of $1,161,450 from the record purse.

Every Big Rock has its share of special moments. In 2008, the competition was extra special because it represented the golden anniversary of the event. Artemis, a boat based out of Charleston, S.C., took top honors with a 640-pound blue marlin caught during the first day of the competition. Artemis – named after the Greek god of hunting – felt hunted all week. But it survived five days atop the leader board and more than 100 hook-ups to win the 50^thBig Rock.

Artemis received $703,512.50 from the $1,854,575 purse. Fifty years earlier, the first prize had been 250 silver dollars.

Competitors in the 60th Big Rock are allowed to fish four-of-six fishing days and must notify officials of the days they do not intend to fish. Because of the Level IV winner-take-all prize, most boats elect to fish Monday, the first day of the competition. That has proven to be a good strategy in recent years since 5-of-6 past champions have caught their winning blue marlin on Monday.

Hit-N-Run captured the 21^st annual Keli Wagner Lady Angler (KWLA) blue marlin tournament Saturday, topping a record 161 boats to win $66,406 in the one-day billfish release competition.

Hit-N-Run captain David Fields put Mindy Ballou Fitzpatrick on a blue marlin 80 minutes into the start of fishing and she tallied a release after a 77-minute fight. Hit-N-Run angler Laura Russell was in the fighting chair when white marlin was hooked at noon. Russell scored a release three minutes later to help Hit-N-Run finish with 525 points.

Lo Que Sea finished second with 500 points for one white marlin release and three sailfish releases. Four boats were tied at third place at 400 points until Bootlegger weighed a 4.0-pound dolphin to finish at 404 points. Bootlegger angler Annalee Austin reeled in a blue marlin after a 45-minute fight to put her team in position to break the tie.

Lauren Dudley, angler on the Enough, reeled in a 52.7-pound dolphin to helped her team capture dolphin division prizes totaling $71,571. Lauren’s husband, Stuart, captain of the Enough, knew his crew had hooked a potential winning fish when he first saw it jump. But he immediately concocted a fib to keep everybody “in a calm state of mind.”

“Lauren’s fished plenty,” Dudley said. “Down in Costa Rica … and all over. But I told everyone else that her fish wasn’t anything spectacular. I knew I was lying, but I was trying to keep it calm. In my experience, if everyone gets wound up … it doesn’t help.”

Dudley’s catch was all the more spectacular because it was hooked and landed on a 32-foot outboard, one of the smallest boats in the field.

KWLA officials confirmed a record purse was up for grabs as teams headed offshore. Despite a steady rain during the trip out, anglers found perfect fishing conditions in the Gulf Stream. The tournament was wide open to every team but Hit-N-Run held on for the win.

Proceeds from the one-day billfish event will be donated to KWLA charities. Since 1998, KWLA has raised $324,165 for charities, including $278,916 for Carteret Health Care’s Cancer Center.

The lady anglers were dressed to the nines last night for the Best Dressed Contest at the KWLA event, sponsored by Linda Rike Real Estate. A great job to all the teams who participated- the creativity and team spirit never ceases to amaze us! Congratulations to our 6 winners & special thanks to our BDC volunteer judges from Carteret Health Care.

Prize basket items supplied by KWLA sponsors. Congratulations to our winners!

Creativity: PELAGIC     Originality: HALCYON     Fishiest: UNO MAS     Spirit: CARTERICAN     Presentation: WOLVERINE