Category: News

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 –

Join us as we celebrate Independence Day with the video premiere of our 3rd Annual Big Rock, Big Hero experience- presented by Salt Life! Watch as our seven 2020 Big Rock Big Heros are hosted on board with participants during the 62nd Annual Big Rock Tournament. We are extremely grateful for the servicemen & women who proudly serve our country- we thank you all for your dedication to protect our freedoms.

Thank you to Salt Life for making this incredible experience possible!

The 62nd Annual Big Rock Tournament was nothing short of INCREDIBLE-  a week of excitement, competition, & comradery surrounded the 2020 event! We are incredibly proud to have an OUTBOARD win the tournament for the first time in OVER 30 years. It was an impressive catch & great show of sportsmanship! Thank you to ALL of our participants, sponsors, & supporters. Below are the final tournament results & prize payouts of the $3,352,475 total purse!

The 62nd Annual tournament hosted 205 boats & racked up a total of 185 releases- 144 blue marlin, 22 white marlin & 19 sailfish for a 93% release rate! 

LEADERBOARD RESULTS, $3,352,475 TOTAL PURSE

Blue Marlin Division
1st Place: PELAGIC HUNTER II 495.2 lbs. $206, 688
2nd Place: SEA STRIKER 495, $1,056,138
3rd Place: PREDATOR 494.2 lbs., $273,750
4th Place: HATTER-DONE 488.1 lbs., $130,050

The different between 1st, 2nd & 3rd place was LESS THAN 1 POUND. PELAGIC HUNTER II was entered in Levels I, II, VI, and Outboard Level; therefore we had a 4th place blue marlin payout for Blue marlin WTA Levels III & IV!

Since there weren’t any blue marlin weighed over 500 lbs the Fabulous Fisherman’s money, Level V (which normally is awarded to the first fish over 500) went to the boat entered in Level V with the most release points. LO QUE SEA took home the Fabulous Fisherman’s prize money worth $552,500 for their whopping 2250 release points total from the week.

The FIVE hour fight was worth the WEIGHT for this crew of four! PELAGIC HUNTER II, of Sneads Ferry, took the lead late this afternoon with a 495.2-pound blue marlin. The current 1st Place catch was reeled in on a 35′ Contender Outboard by angler, Riley Adkins! Just one pound separates PELAGIC HUNTER II from 2nd place catch from PREDATOR!

Jarrett Bay Hull #11, BILL COLLECTOR, weighed a 453.7-pound blue marlin after boating the second blue of the day. Captain Draughon’s catch wasn’t enough to take 3rd place, but it was enough to shake up the leaderboard for 4th place. GAME CHANGER & APRIL MAE’s blue marlin did not meet tournament minimum requirements.

Overall releases were up from yesterday- 17 blue marlins, 3 sailfish, and 5 white marlin were released (unofficially). PIRACY cashed in $5,000 after an early sailfish release for Gregory Poole’s 1st Release of the Day! Friday’s daily release earnings worth $47, 813 went to ELECTRIC BILL for their two blue marlin releases.

Day 5 1st place dolphin goes to SEA I SEA with a 34.2 pound catch by Brandon Mills for $2,000. FIN PLANNER was a close 2nd, coming in at 32.9-pounds worth $1,000. Only one wahoo was weighed; therefore, both 1st & 2nd place payouts go to CHUNDA for a 21.3 pounder. 

Of the total 205 entered boats, 153 are still eligible to fish tomorrow- 52 will be fished out! The FABULOUS FISHERMAN’S Prize Money is still anyone’s game on the final day of the 62nd Annual Big Rock Tournament! TUNE IN to see who will WIN the $552,500! We start one hour earlier tomorrow- lines in at 8AM!

Visit https://www.thebigrock.com/prize-money/ for a complete list of standings & current leaderboard!

Due to forecasted offshore conditions, 11 boats chose to fish Day 4! SEA WOLF scored the ONLY release of the day! Their blue marlin release came at 1:39PM and will (unofficially) earn them the Daily Release prize money worth $47, 813 + $5,000 for the Gregory Poole 1st Release (and only) of the day! Congratulations crew!

Just three gamefish were brought in after a slow day offshore. Two of which were off of DOUBLE B- a 16.9-pounder & a 25-pound dolphin good for 1st in Daily gamefish winnings for $2,000. MARKED OFF took home 2nd place in the daily prize money cashing in $1,000!

We’re expecting action to pick back up tomorrow as most of the fleet took their two mandatory lay days Wednesday & Thursday. Listen LIVE with Randy on the radio starting with lines in at 9AM. Visit https://www.thebigrock.com/prize-money/ for a complete list of standings & current leaderboard!