FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
FYI- The first day of fishing is always the 2nd Monday in June!
2024 Tournament Dates: June 7th-16th, 2024
KWLA: June 7th-8th, 2024
Big Rock: June 8th-16th, 2024 (Monday, June 10th is first day of fishing)
Big Rock Kids: July 10th-13th, 2024
2025 Tournament Dates:
Big Rock: June 6th-15th, 2025
Big Rock Kids: July 9th-12th, 2025
2026 Tournament Dates:
Big Rock: June 5th-14th, 2026
Big Rock Kids: July 8th-11, 2026
Our volunteers ROCK! If you’re interested in volunterring during the Big Rock Tournament, please contact Michelle at michelle@thebigrock.com.
We suggest reaching out in the fall, as that’s when we begin our event planning process.
Thank you for your interest in supporting the tournament! Please send an email to madison@thebigrock.com for available sponsorship opportunities.
Thank you for your interest in supporting the tournament! Booth display is included with certain sponsorship levels. Please send an email to madison@thebigrock.com for available sponsorship opportunities.
Absolutely! Tune in daily to Big Rock TV on thebigrock.com, The Big Rock YouTube channel, or The Big Rock Facebook page for all the action! Catch live weigh-in coverage & exclusive interviews on Big Rock TV DAILY from 3pm – 7pm!
Download The Big Rock app to stay up to date on all tournament leaderboards, participants, and live scoring activity. View tournament statistics, payouts, and messages. Follow your favorite boats to be notified of all their scores in real time. Search “The Big Rock Tournament” in the app store & download today!
Live scoring and hookup activity can also be found on our homepage during tournament week, visit thebigrock.com.
Yes! Spectators of all ages are welcome to join us for all the action.
Fishing days are Monday, June 10th – Saturday, June 15th. You can expect to see daily gamefish weigh-ins to start at 4pm. For offshore updates & blue marlin ETA info, be sure to download the Big Rock app or check our social media pages.
VHF Channel 71
Good question, we wish we knew! That’s the beauty of fishing, it’s up to the fish. Simple answer, it depends. Lines are in at 9am daily. We typically estimate about 2-3 hours from the moment a blue marlin is boated to its arrival at Big Rock Landing. ETA updates will be promptly shared on the Big Rock App and across our social media accounts as they are received.
Fishing ends at 3pm, daily. You can expect to see gamefish weigh-ins from 4-7pm, each day.
Fishing days are Monday, June 10th through Saturday, June 15th. Boats fish 4 out of the
RETAIL
Summer Hours (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
Monday – Saturday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00pm
Winter Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Tournament Hours
Friday, June 7th – Saturday, June 15th: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday, June 16th: 9:00am – 4:00pm
If there is ever any variation in these hours, it will be announced on our Facebook & Instagram pages.
Yes! Visit thebigrockstore.com for a year-round selection of Big Rock apparel, accessories, and more.
The Big Rock Store is located on the first floor of tournament headquarters in Downtown Morehead City, across from Redfish Grill. Our address is 710 Evans Street, Morehead City, NC 28557
If you are not 100% satisfied with your online or in-store purchase, you may return items to us within 30 days for a full refund or exchange with receipt or proof of purchase. Returned or exchanged items must be in new, unused condition.
Original shipping and handling costs are non-refundable, and you will be responsible for paying necessary shipping costs for returning your item.
To return or exchange your item, mail it back to:
The Big Rock Store – RETURNS
710 Evans Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
Please include your order number and contact information. Online purchases can be returned or exchanged in-store.
All SALE items are final & non-refundable.
For questions regarding our Return Policy please contact us via email, orders@thebigrock.com or phone, (252) 247-3575
We ship via UPS Ground, and most orders will ship out within one business day.
If an item you have your eye on is out of stock, please contact orders@thebigrock.com to inquire about future restocks.
Yes! Gift cards are available for purchase in-store, or you can purchase an e-gift card online.
We have a general size guide available under each product description. If you need more direction, don’t hesitate to shoot us an email at orders@thebigrock.com.
Visit one of our area retailers for a selection of 66th Annual t-shirts.
2024 RETAILERS:
Morehead City:
– Big Rock Headquarters
– Dee Gee’s Gifts + Books
– EJW Outdoors
– Gift Gallery @ Carteret Health Care
Atlantic Beach:
– Atlantic Beach Surf Shop
– Chasin’ Tails Outdoors
– Kitty Hawk Kites
Beaufort:
– Jarrett Bay Boathouse
– Kitty Hawk Kites
– The General Store
– BP Zingo Express #7, Hwy 101
Emerald Isle:
– Neuse Sport Shop, Cedar Point
– The Reel Outdoors
– Sound Ace Hardware
Outer Banks:
– Hatteras Harbor Marina, Hatteras
– TW’s Bait + Tackle, Nags Head
Goldsboro:
– 264 Shoes + Apparel
– Beach Bumz Boutique
– Bicycle World
– EZ Bait + Tackle
– From the Heart
Additional Locations:
– 264 Shoes + Apparel, Greenville
– 264 Shoes + Apparel, New Bern
– Coastal Par, Greenville
– Dewayne’s, Selma
– Intracoastal Angler, Wilmington
– Neuse Sport Shop, Kinston
– New River Marina, Sneads Ferry
– Springhill Outfitters, Selma
TOURNAMENT
There are two ways to register for the Big Rock Tournament:
1. ONLINE: Save time and register ONLINE (note: if you plan to pay with check, please select “pay with check” option at checkout to waive credit card fees. Checks may be mailed to tournament headquarters prior to June 1st or dropped off in-person). To get started, click here.
2. IN PERSON: Register in-person at tournament headquarters. Visit us at 710 Evans Street in Downtown Morehead City today!
* To reduce long lines & wait times, online registration is strongly encouraged.
* Seabags and t-shirts will be available for participant pickup after June 1st.
Click here to view the 2024 Big Rock Tournament Rules
Click here to view the 2024 KWLA Tournament Rules
Click here to view the 2024 Big Rock Kids Tournament Rules
To add anglers, submit laydays or update boat photos using the Big Rock app, please visit Big Rock App Tutorials
Lay day forms may be submitted two ways:
1) Submit lay day using the Big Rock App account associated with boat registration
2) Submit completed form in person at Big Rock Headquarters.
Lay days must be submitted by 9AM on the declared day.
To add anglers, submit laydays or update boat photos using the Big Rock app, please visit Big Rock App Tutorials
To add anglers, submit laydays or update boat photos using the Big Rock app, please visit Big Rock App Tutorials
Completed release forms can be submitted two ways:
1) Upload a photo of the completed release form to the Big Rock App using the account associated with boat registration
2) Turned in to Big Rock Headquarters or Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Release forms must be submitted one of the two ways by 10PM on day of release.
Blue Marlin Releases: To qualify for the 400 points, teams must turn in a Release Form in person along with the SD Card, Micro SD Card or Compact Flash Card from their camera. Forms and Media Cards can be turned in at the Official Weigh Station in Morehead City or to the tournament representative
at Hatteras Harbor Marina.
Technically, boats have up until 8:59am on the first day of fishing to register. Registration is not complete until both the registration form and full payment have been submitted.
Registration payment checks should be made payable to The Big Rock Tournament.
EVENTS
Due to venue capacity restrictions, we regret to inform you that ticket sales for the Captain’s Party are unavailable to the general public.
2024 Big Rock Participants may purchase additional tickets during registration at Tournament Headquarters.
Tickets for the remaining tournament week events are available for purchase at the venue entrance or at tournament headquarters, prices vary. To view the 2024 Schedule of Event, visit here.
Big Rock Participants will receive 8 participant passes per boat. Participant passes provide entry to all (5) Big Rock events, (1) person per pass.
Participant pass does not include entry to KWLA Event on Friday, June 7th.
All Big Rock Events foster a welcoming atmosphere suitable for families of all ages. Please note: Considering the live band and anticipated large crowd, The Captain’s Party may not be suitable for children.
Due to venue capacity restrictions, we regret to inform you that ticket sales for the Captain’s Party are unavailable to the general public.
Tickets for the remaining tournament week events (Prayer Breakfast, Sunday Pig Pickin’, Wednesday Dinner, Awards Brunch) are available for purchase at the venue entrance or at tournament headquarters, prices vary.
To view the 2024 Schedule of Event, visit here.
6/7, KWLA Event: $30
6/9, Prayer Breakfast: $15
6/9, Pig Pickin’: $30
6/12, Wednesday Dinner: $30
6/16, Awards Brunch: $30
View the 2024 Event Schedule here
You may purchase tickets at the “door” for the KWLA Event, the Prayer Breakfast, the Pig Pickin’, the Wednesday Dinner and the Awards Brunch. We accept cash or card.
The Voltage Brothers Band will be performing at the 2024 Captain’s Party.
A bluegrass band will be providing music during the Sunday Pig Pickin’.
A DJ will be on set for the Wednesday Dinner.
Admission to each event includes complimentary food and an open bar (No open bar at the Prayer Breakfast).
To view the 2024 Schedule of Event, visit here.
KWLA
Each team will be given 4 participant shirts and have the option to purchase more for $25 upon registering for the KWLA tournament.
Each registered team will receive 8 tickets to the KWLA kick off party on Friday, June 7th at the Crystal Coast Civic Center.
No! Participation in the Best Dressed Contest is completely optional. If you choose to participate, you can get as creative as you’d like.
Teams will be directed to check-in upon arrival at the event, and presented to the judges before entering the venue. Winners will be announced during the event.
As we kick off a weekend of lady anglers, feel free to dress up as much or as little as you’d like. We’d recommend shorts and a cute top or a cute cocktail dress. Head over to our sponsor page to find the best boutiques in town. Hint hint – some of them put coupons in the seabag.
BIG ROCK KIDS
No! The tournament is open to anglers of all ages; however, to encourage youth participation, an additional 25 points will be added to any billfish released by a Jr. Angler (age 16 & under)
No! Level I is mandatory, but all other levels are optional.
A Junior Angler is anyone age 16 & under
A Jr. Angler (age 16 & under) must be the primary angler when fighting the billfish. Adults may assist from time to time, or when passing a rod between children. You must submit a release form with the Jr. Anglers Date of Birth & other required information.
If you do not have a boat or team of Jr. Anglers, please send your name, number, and child’s first name to carlee@thebigrock.com. You will be listed on the tournament website, here. Through the website you can connect with other parents listed, form a team, and hire a charter boat to take your children out. Please note, the tournament does not set charter fees.
BIG ROCK FOUNDATION
The Big Rock Foundation is the charitable arm of all three tournaments- Big Rock, KWLA and Big Rock Kids. The Foundation’s mission, fueled by the passion of its donors, tournament participants, sponsors, and retail customers, has a profound impact on the community. The funds generated from these sources are carefully distributed among a diverse group of charities, each one playing a crucial role in areas such as education, healthcare, community improvement, and conservation.
Check out the video below for more details!
The Big Rock Foundation proudly announced a momentous donation of $1,659,000 to charities on Giving Tuesday in November 2023. This extraordinary contribution is the largest annual donation and marks a milestone for the Foundation. The Big Rock Foundation’s charitable giving now surpasses $10 Million since 1986!
Thank you for your interest in donating to the Big Rock Foundation. Please visit here to make a single donation. For larger contributions or corporate gifts, please contact Foundation Director, Crystal Hesmer crystal@thebigrock.com.
Download and submit the grant application, found here. The 2024 Application deadline is August 2nd. Grant recipients will be notified in November.
– Organizations must be qualified as tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a similar tax exempt entity. An exception is made to include fire and rescue departments.
– If your organization operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity via a fiscal agent, your application’s supporting documentation must include a letter from the fiscal agent organization that verifies the relationship and includes
when the relationship was established.
– Organizations must offer programs and services without discrimination based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief.
– Organizations must apply awarded funds towards projects that benefit and enrich Carteret County and Eastern North Carolina.