FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. — The Big Rock Triple Crown presented by Bailey’s Fine Jewelry is coming down to the wire as the fleet prepares for the final leg of competition in the series: the Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament.
THIS JUST IN: Big Rock Kids fishing has been extended – Boats may fish 2 out of 4 days: Thursday, July 10th through Sunday, July 13th. Registration will now remain open until Saturday, July 10th at 9 AM. For more information, or to get registered, click here.
The Triple Crown standings remain close, with several teams still in contention for the title.
The Carterican, with Captain Lee Smith, leads the Triple Crown going into the Big Rock Kids Tournament with 3,475 points, after securing a win in the Keli Wagner Lady Angler (KWLA) Tournament and solid results in the second leg of the series. So far, Carterican has released 5 blue marlin, 5 white marlin, and 6 sailfish across the first two events. They’re also the reigning champions of the Big Rock Kids Tournament, adding extra stakes as they look to defend both their tournament title and their Triple Crown lead. If they hold onto the top spot, Carterican stands to take home $40,375 as the Triple Crown champions.
Sitting in second place is Marsh Madness, captained by Shane Bradford, with 2,850 points. Their tally comes from 5 blue marlin, 2 white marlin, and 4 sailfish releases. In the Big Rock Kids Tournament, blue marlin count for 400 points, and white marlin and sailfish earn 125 points each. Junior anglers (16 and under) can earn their teams an extra 25 points per billfish release, which could play a big role this week. Marsh Madness is in contention for the $24,225 second-place payout in the Triple Crown.
Builder’s Choice, with Captain Brent Gaskill, holds third place at 2,750 points but is currently fishing in Bermuda and will miss the final leg of the series. Whether their score holds up will depend on how the rest of the fleet performs this week. A third-place finish in the Triple Crown would earn Builder’s Choice $16,150.
Doc Fees is close behind in fourth, while fifth-place Dugga Boy is not expected to fish the Big Rock Kids Tournament. Several other teams—including Big Trouble, Accordingly IV, Inspiration, and Shenandoah—remain within striking distance and could break into the top standings with a strong finish in the final event.
Boats competing in the Big Rock Triple Crown earn 50 bonus points for each affiliated tournament entered, up to 150 points total. Additional opportunities to score exist in the Big Rock Kids Tournament, where junior angler releases earn an extra 25 points, and boats fishing without sonar receive an additional 25 points per release.
All Big Rock Tournaments feature live scoring, which fans can follow on the Big Rock App and at thebigrock.com.
With several boats still in the running, the final leg of the Triple Crown promises an exciting finish.
