Category: News

In the spring of 2018, Big Rock announced their donation of $200,000 to Carteret County Domestic Violence Program for the construction of it’s new SAFE Shelter. Together Big Rock & other community partners succeeded in raising $1.5 million to build a new domestic violence shelter to provide safe, temporary emergency shelter to victims of abuse and their children in Carteret County.

Big Rock president Dale Britt and other board members presented a check for two-hundred thousand dollars to the Carteret County Domestic Violence Program. ​​“We here at the Big Rock are humbled to help provide a safe harbor for many desperate individuals and their children who are victims of domestic violence in our county,” explained Britt.

The current CCDVP shelter continues to deteriorate beyond repair. Estimates for major repairs and renovations coupled with costs required to modify the building to safety are building code standards show that new construction is the most cost-effective option for the CCDVP.

For more information on the SAFE campaign visit thesafecampaign.com.

Morehead City, NC– The North Carolina Seafood Festival announced its partnership with The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament for the “Amped Up For You-Tilities” Hurricane Relief Benefit to be held on November 3rd. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament will be helping to sponsor the event with the intentions of bringing relief aid to the community.

President of The Big Rock Marlin Tournament, Dale Britt says “I’ve been seeing Carteret Strong signs all around town and I must say that it is the best description I have seen about our community and the folks that are here. On behalf of our Board of Directors, our Executive Director Crystal Hesmer and her great team we are pleased to announce that the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is joining forces with the North Carolina Seafood Festival to help hold this important hurricane relief benefit on November 3rd”.

The organizations have chosen the Salvation Army as the recipient of designated funds raised from the event. The Salvation Army has a program within its framework that vets families in need of assistance to pay their utility bills.

During the press conference Major Dewey Alderson of the Salvation Army stated “What is going to happen in another month when their utilities bill is due? You have a choice to make: do I feed my family for another month or do we pay the utility bill. That is what this money is going to do. We promise you that this money is going to be spent here on utility bills, rent, and whatever else we can do in Carteret County”.

The ‘Amped Up’ event will be held from 11 AM – 11 PM on November 3rd in Jaycee Park on the Morehead City Waterfront. The event will feature non-stop music, as well as restaurants and non-profit food vendors. For more information visit our website and follow us on social media.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is a non-profit 501C3 corporation donating it’s proceeds to charity and worthy organizations. The North Carolina Seafood Festival is a not-for-profit organization in Carteret County whose vision is to promote the positive social and economic impact of the seafood industry. To learn more about the upcoming event and stay updated, visit www.ncseafoodfestival.org.

 

The names left to right are as follows:

Ed Stack, Current Chairman of the North Carolina Seafood Festival

Howard Basnight, Board Member of Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

Jim Bailey, Board Member of Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

Crystal Hesmer, Executive Director of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

Casey Wagner, Board Member of Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

Stephanie McIntyre, Executive Director of the North Carolina Seafood Festival

Emery Ivey, Board Member of Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

Dale Britt, President of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

Congratulations to Big Rock participant, Captain Randy Bryant! 60′ Hatteras, MAGGIE, wins the 2018 NC Governor’s Cup. See the complete list of standings below.

The Big Rock was proud to attend the ground breaking ceremony for the new Salvation Army facility in Morehead City, NC.

In 2017, The Big Rock Foundation presented The Salvation Army of Carteret County’s ‘Anchor the Army’ fundraising campaign with a $262,500 donation to help fund the construction of a 7,500 square foot Center for Worship and Service and an 11,000 square foot Family Store. The planned facilities have features that enable The Salvation Army to have a greater impact on Carteret County residents, such as a private social services office; larger food pantry with more efficient commercial cooler and freezer; large commercial kitchen for disaster service and collaborative feeding programs; a larger meeting area for community gatherings; a safer Family Store donations area; and a larger shopping space that can produce more funds to sustain increased programs and services.

In attendance were Big Rock legend sponsor, Randall Parker (left), Lt. Roland Lewis, Tournament Director, Crystal Hesmer and Big Rock board member and charity chairman, Tommy Bennett. (pictured above)

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – Craziness became commonplace at the 60th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament as a record seven blue marlin were weighed in Saturday to complicate the distribution of a record $2,560,925 purse during the competition’s final day.

In the end, Honey Hush, captained by Chuck Lindner, Morehead City, held on to take first place and win $753,875 with a 518.5-pound blue marlin reeled in by angler Robert Gorrell. Honey Hush grabbed the tournament lead Tuesday and managed to win by a very narrow margin. It was part of what made the contest so crazy.

The three fish that finished atop the blue marlin standings were separated by 17.6 pounds. The difference between first and second place was just 4.2 pounds. At one point third place was decided by a tenth of a pound.

That’s crazy … and it got crazier.

Carterican captain Lee Smith, Morehead City, brought a 500.9-pound blue marlin to the scales midway through the Saturday weigh-ins.  The catch, landed by angler Cole Ammons, Cedar Point, qualified – by less than a pound – for the Level V Fabulous Fishermen prize of $501,500.

But the Carterican team couldn’t celebrate.

That’s because the Islander was still headed to the scales with a blue marlin that was boated before the Carterican’s catch . By rule, since the Islander boated its blue marlin first, its catch would count first. Carterican would have to wait for the Islander to weigh its blue marlin.

But the Islander wasn’t really the Islander.

Islander captain Bobby Schlegel, Greenville, had busted a propeller Friday and needed to borrow another boat to be able to finish the Big Rock. Schlegel borrowed Hatteras Fever and made the most of it.

Schlegel’s team released a blue marlin early Saturday and won $48,520 for scoring the most release points that day. Then they landed a 429.2-pound blue marlin that was good enough – at the time – for third place in the standings.

This may be the first time in Big Rock history that a borrowed boat helped an opposing team win this much prize money. It’s definitely the first time that a fishing team scored the most billfish release points on the same day that they weighed in a blue marlin heavy enough to make the leaderboard.

The craziest thing is this: The distribution of Big Rock’s record $2,560,925 purse looked somewhat set Saturday morning before lines went in the water. No blue marlins had been boated Wednesday or Thursday and the lone blue marlin catch Friday did not meet tournament minimums.

Then came 11 a.m. on the final day and a switch seemed to flip. Five blue marlins were boated in 44 minutes and two more were landed before the fishing day was through. Up to that point, only four blue marlins had been brought to the scales.

VooDoo Child, captained by Zack Adams, Morehead City, brought a 409.1-pound blue marlin to the weigh station Saturday that was reeled in by Steve Tingley, Youngsville. It moved into third place for 59 minutes but got bumped out of the standings when Carterican reached the scales. Two other Saturday blue marlin catches did not meet tournament minimums.

The final weigh-in of the 60^th Big Rock put the standings in concrete. Fender Bender captain Carl Beale, Virginia Beach, brought a 514.3-pound blue marlin to the scales that was reeled in by Havelock angler Col. T.J. “Bucket” Dunne. Dunne’s catch missed winning the Big Rock by 4.2-pounds but it earned the team $262,450 for finishing in the runner-up spot.

Carterican finished third but won $634,000. This included the $501,500 Fabulous Fishermen prize and a Gregory Poole $5,000 first-release-of-the-day prize.

Wallhanger, a boat captained by Gary Blount, Greenville, won $200,457 for the most release points (1,325) scored during the tournament. Wallhanger captured a daily and the overall release category with three blue marlins and one white marlin release.

Shifting Gears, a boat captained by Alan Scibal, Beaufort, finished second in the release division with 1,200 release points. Shifting Gears, owned by NASCAR legend Terry Labonte, released three blue marlins to earn $91,162.

Shenandoah, captained by Alan Willis, Morehead City, won a daily release prize and finished third in the release division to earn $109,295. Crews from Coverage, Double B and Release all won $48,520 in the daily release competitions.

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

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

Reel Country, captained by Mark Chambers, Morehead City, won the tuna division with a 19.9-pounder landed by Mark Ellington. The Reel Country catch earned the team $7,000 in daily and weekly prizes. It was the only tuna boated during the tournament.

Ironically Carterican, which had to bide its time until the Islander team weighed in its blue marlin, won the drawing for the sixth and final 60^thBig Rock Rolex watch. At the time, the Carterican crew was busy celebrating its Level V victory. It’s a good bet they’ll be on time for the distribution of prizes set 7 p.m. Saturday at the Crystal Coast Civic Center.

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.