Category: News

One year after setting a record with 144 boat entries, the 21^st annual Keli Wagner Lady Angler (KWLA) blue marlin tournament set another all-time mark when 161 fishing teams signed up for the one-day competition.

The KWLA, which once struggled to reach a double-digit registration total, has now become the largest one-day billfish release tournament in the nation. The prize money, which once barely covered boat operational expenses, is now a significant windfall.

As teams headed offshore Saturday, KWLA officials confirmed a record purse would be up for grabs. By the end of the day, skilled and lucky KWLA competitors would divvy up $149,388.

“This is beyond exciting,” said Madison Maxwell, KWLA tournament coordinator. “The new winner-take-all (WTA) billfish release level has 116 entries and features a $49,300 prize. The WTA dolphin prize is $65,875 … and a record amount will be donated to KWLA charities. The total purse last year was $99,520 and it was obvious early on that this year’s KWLA would be bigger. It’s a great way to kick off all the Big Rock events.”

Teams gathered Friday evening at the Crystal Coast Civic Center to review tournament rules and celebrate at a pre-competition party. Six teams won awards in the best-dressed competition, a KWLA party event that puts fishiness, creativity, originality, effort, presentation and spirit on display.

Despite a steady rain, all 161 boats headed offshore early Saturday morning in preparation for the 8 a.m. start. Being the first boat to score release points has almost always led to a KWLA victory. Teams will be at the ready as the official KWLA start is announced over the tournament radio.

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.

In celebration of our 21st Annual lady angler event, we’re teaming up with Big Rock Sponsor, Costa Del Mar to give SIX pairs of Costa Sunglasses & SIX Dry Cases to the team who weighs the 21st (overall) gamefish during the KWLA Tournament.

SEA you at the scales, so we can SEE WHAT’S OUT THERE!

Gamefish will be counted in order by which they’re weighed. Qualifying gamefish include dolphin, tuna and wahoo.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is thrilled to announce the participants of the Big Rock, Big Hero Experience.

-Master Sergeant Kenneth Gero

25 years of service.  Stationed at MCAS Cherry Point

-Petty Officer Heath Canada, USCG

16 years of service.  Station at Camp Lejeune.

–Staff Sergeant Brad Ivey, USAF

12 years of service. Stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

–Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brad Cook, USMC

19 years of service.  Stationed at MCAS Cherry Point

–Petty Officer 2nd Class Bobby Whitehead, US Navy

14 years of service. Stationed at Camp Lejeune

–Capt. Chris Harris, US Army

18 years of service.  Stationed at Fort Bragg

“Our vision for the Big Rock, Big Hero experience is to provide these six deserving service members with an unforgettable fishing adventure.  All of us at the Big Rock are forever grateful to their service to our country and this is just a small way of showing our appreciation.  These six men have dedicated their lives and made immeasurable sacrifices for our freedom,”  explains Crystal Hesmer Tournament Director.

Participants were nominated by their family and friends.  They shared heartwarming  stories of dedication to our country and to their families at home.  We were humbled by each and every entrant.  The six service members named above will have the opportunity to experience a day offshore alongside Big Rock legends. They will be hosted by some of the most elite anglers, aboard a first-class sportfishing boat, equipped with today’s most innovative fishing gear.  The Accordingly IV, Sea I Sea, Teaz’em, El Cazador, and Can Do Too, will be hosting the service members throughout the week of the tournament.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is the largest tournament of its kind in the United States. Our purpose is to represent the value of innovation, conservation and charitable giving. To date, the Big Rock has contributed close to $5 million in charitable proceeds for well-deserving charity organizations in our community.  Big Rock tournament week and the Keli Wagner Lady Angler tournament begin June 8-16th, 2018.

Your first look at the 60th Annual Big Rock Tournament art!

We are pleased to welcome back the talented, Steve Goione, as our 60th Annual tournament artist. Steve’s creation, “Blue Awakening“, presents a unique view of the Big Rock Landing- with an emphasis on bringing the Big Rock Fountain to life! The 60th Annual tournament art will be auctioned at the Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

In addition, Steve will be giving each Big Rock, Big Hero finalist a signed remarque print of the 60th Annual art.

In 2017, Goione’s art was purchased by the Big Rock 1st Place Blue Marlin Winner, Matt Hanley, for $25,000. All proceeds were donated to Big Rock’s charities.

The Big Rock Landing was thrilled to host the 38th Annual Swansboro Rotary Club Memorial Day BlueWater Tournament.  

 

Captain Mike Webb   brought in the largest blue marlin aboard the Pelagic from Atlantic Beach, NC.  The winning fish weighed in at 562 pounds on Saturday afternoon.

 

The tournament is the Rotary Club’s  single largest fundraising activity, the proceeds from the Blue Water King Mackerel Tournament are dispersed throughout the community by way of scholarship funds, community funds, and fishing interest funds. The community pitches in to help the now more than seventy members of the Rotary with many of the projects, including the fishing tournament. They enlist the help of local residents, students, boy and girl scouts, and many others to help with the various needs of the tournament from cleaning fish to cleaning up.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is thrilled to launch the Big Rock, Big Hero Experience.

The tournament celebrates its 60th anniversary this June. “As we commemorate this milestone, we wanted to show our appreciation to the men and women who bravely protect our country and provide us the freedom to fish.” explains tournament Director Crystal Hesmer.

A primary goal of the Big Rock is to positively impact the communities we depend on. We would like to share the ultimate Big Rock experience with active-duty military stationed in North Carolina. They are invited to participate in a community initiative for the opportunity to experience a day offshore alongside Big Rock legends. Participants will be hosted by some of the most elite anglers, aboard a first-class sportfisherman boat, equipped with today’s most innovative fishing gear.

Interested active-duty members are encouraged to share their unique submission via our Big Rock, Big Hero online platform. Family and friends are welcome to nominate their deserving servicemember. To enter, 1. Go to our Facebook or website 2. Find the Big Rock, Big Hero link 3. Submit short essay telling us why you or your favorite servicemember would enjoy the opportunity. Finalists will be contacted for phone interviews. Servicemembers chosen will be announced on Friday, June 1st, 2018.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is the largest tournament of its kind in the United States. Our purpose is to represent the value of innovation, conservation and charitable giving. To date, the Big Rock has contributed close to $5 million in charitable proceeds for well-deserving charity organizations in our community.

Tournament director Crystal Hesmer is available for interviews regarding the Big Rock, Big Hero Experience.

The ladies asked for it and we delivered.

The Keli Wagner Lady Angler tournament has a new entry category!  The Winner Take All Dolphin category was a huge success with the top team winning $58,225 last year.  Now lady anglers can enter a Winner Take All Billfish Release category for an additional $500 entry fee.  Winners of the billfish release category that are also entered in the Winner Take All release level stand to win close to $75,000!  So put your team together and be sure to enter both the Winner Take All Dolphin level and the Winner Take All Billfish Release Level.

The 60th Annual Big Rock Programs are here and hot off the press! Another job well done by tournament assistant, Rowanne Robertson! Year after year, her work never ceases to amaze!  A big thank you also to NCCOAST for first class quality printing and service here in Carteret County!

“Each year, Rowanne works diligently to provide a program that will make our sponsors proud”, commented Crystal Hesmer, tournament director.  “She has been with Big Rock for 12 years and we don’t know what we would do without her!”, she continued.

The 60^th program will be available at tournament headquarters now and will be distributed throughout Carteret County just before tournament week.  The 180-page perfect bound book will also be included in each boat bag for both KWLA and Big Rock.

The Big Rock Foundation has been helping Carobell, Inc’s Station Club Enterprise expand its possibilities for more than 25 years. Located in Morehead City, Station Club Enterprise is a private, non-profit 501 (c)3 organization serving adults with cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities.

Funds received through these generous donations provided by the Big Rock Foundation have afforded Carobell/Station Club the possibilities to expand our capabilities to provide our members with choices of tasks/activity opportunities and to reach out with new ideas and concepts. This truly fulfills our mission, which is to provide self-directed supports for members with intellectual developmental disabilities, empowering them to reach their fullest potential.

Past donations have enabled Station Club to purchase many needed items for our members such as iPads, a laptop computer, and accessories to assist them in developing technology skills and increasing problem-solving skills.

All of Carobell/Station Club staff and members alike are extremely appreciative of this continual community support. A big thank you goes to our steadfast community friends, Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

Jim Kuhn
Adult Day Coordinator
Carobell/Station Club Enterprise

The Big Rock contributed to the celebration for the Richard Snyder commissioning into the U.S. Coast Guard. 

 

Big Rock Director Crystal Hesmer says, ”we are so grateful to the Coast Guard for protecting our waters and assisting boats and their crews in emergencies.  The Big Rock was honored to be part of USCGC Richard Snyder commissioning ceremony.  Our contribution to hold a reception was a small gesture to show our appreciation.”

 

The ship is North Carolina’s first Fast Response Cutter. It features advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment.

 

It’s named after World War II hero Richard Snyder, who earned the Silver Star and six Bronze Stars, including the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was awarded for his brave efforts to defend troops coming to shore on the Island of Biak at the western edge of Papua New Guinea.

 

The Big Rock is dedicated to charitable giving related to our Armed Forces.