Category: News

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

 

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.