BIG TROUBLE is the WINNER of the 67th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Claiming the @jtmarine Fabulous Fisherman’s prize of $807,500. They’re looking at a payout of about $2.5 MILLION DOLLARS!!
After review and consultation with marine biologists, The Big Rock Tournament Rules Committee has disqualified Southern Grace's fish due to a violation of Rule #24 concerning mutilation.
Jarrett Bay boats dominated offshore today, claiming top spots across multiple divisions and making serious moves on the leaderboard.
The 55’ Jarrett Bay, MAGIC MOMENT, kicked things off in style — releasing a blue marlin at 9:08 a.m., before the team even had all their lines in the water. They went on to win the Gregory Poole First Blue Marlin Release and captured the Level VIII Daily Release Prize of $59,075 with two blue marlin and a white marlin, totaling 925 points. Let’s just say… this Magic Moment hit all the right notes.
WAVE PAVER continues to hold strong at the top of the release division, racking up their third grand slam within 24 hours — bringing their tournament total to 3 blue marlin, 3 white marlin, and 7 sailfish. They remain the team to beat heading into the final day.
In the Non-Sonar release division, The 53’ Jarrett Bay DEVELOPIN’ HABITS is leading the division overall with 2 blue marlin and a sailfish. If they stay in the top spot, they’re on track to take home $75,437.
Back at the scales, WAVE GRADER claimed the daily wahoo prize with a 32.5 lb catch, while THE DREDGE followed in second with an 18.2lb fish. In the dolphin division, DOUBLE G brought in a 26.2 lb mahi for the top daily prize, with MISS JENNY close behind at 25.1 lbs.
The 67’ Jarrett Bay, SEA WISH, continues to lead the Dolphin Winner Take All Division with their 47.2 lb catch. If it holds, they’ll walk away with $548,250.
Lady angler Lizzie Montague remains at the top of the Blue Marlin Division with her 449.7lb catch aboard BANKWALKER. If it holds through tomorrow, she’ll become the first woman to win the Big Rock Tournament since Gigi Wagoner’s 529lb Blue Marlin won the tournament in 2005.
One day of fishing remains — and with major money still up for grabs, Day 6 is shaping up to be one for the books.
After a red-hot day offshore yesterday with 122 billfish released on Day 4 alone — the tournament total has climbed to 259 releases and counting. For perspective, last year’s entire tournament tallied 268. With two full days of fishing left, the bite is on fire.
WAVE PAVER is now leading the release division with a strong 1,800 points with 2 blue marlin, 6 sailfish, and 2 white marlin. In the Non-Sonar Division, JOB SITE holds the lead with a blue marlin and white marlin release. BEST MEDICINE continues to lead the Outboard Division, holding steady with a blue marlin released on Day 1.
Over in the Dolphin Winner Take All Division, SEA WISH is still on top with a 47.2 lb. mahi — the weight to beat for a prize worth $548,250.
The Fabulous Fisherman’s Prize of $807,500 is still up for grabs for the first blue marlin over 500 lbs. And with no fish yet weighed in the Super 20 Division, the $1,428,000 payout remains wide open.
Lizzie Montague’s 449.7 lb. blue marlin aboard BANKWALKER remains the largest weighed fish of the week and currently leads the tournament. If it holds, Lizzie would become the first lady angler to win the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament since 1993, when Kathy Keel of CHASER won with a 759 lb. catch.
And if BANKWALKER’s fish ends up being the only blue weighed this week, the team is in position for a $2,401,376 payday, sweeping 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in Levels II, III, and IV.
With 269 boats fishing today, leaderboard changes are inevitable. Stay locked in and follow the action live on the Big Rock App.
It was an action-packed day offshore — 122 billfish were released today alone: 68 Blue Marlin, 34 Sailfish, and 20 White Marlin. That brings the tournament total to 256 billfish released… and there are still two full days of fishing to go. For perspective, there were 268 total billfish releases during all of last year’s tournament. Safe to say: the bite is ON.
WAVE PAVER stole the show in the release division today, racking up a double grand slam + a bonus sailfish — 2 Blue Marlin, 2 White Marlin, and 3 Sailfish. When asked what his favorite tournament to fish is, owner Junior didn't hesitate:
“We’ve fished a lot of them, but Big Rock is my favorite. I’m not just saying that because we’re here with a rigger full of flags — it’s the people, the town, the energy. My whole family’s here — kids, grandkids. It’s just special. I love Big Rock.”
With 1800 points (2 Blue Marlin, 2 White Marlin, 6 Sailfish), WAVE PAVER is now leading the release division. If they hold that position, they're looking at a $147,687 weekly payout, plus $59,075 for today’s daily win.
In the non-sonar division, HATTERAS FEVER II claimed today’s daily prize of $30,175, while JOB SITE holds the lead overall with a Blue Marlin and White Marlin release.
There was a subtle shakeup on the gamefish leaderboard today, with plenty of excitement at the scales. REEL PRIORITY took the top spot in the daily dolphin division with a 22.3 lb mahi weighed in by junior angler River Cantrell, earning the team $5,000. SOUTHERN GRACE claimed second place in the daily division with a 20.5 lb dolphin caught by angler Jacob Tingen, adding $2,500 to their payout. BLIND HUNTER’s 41.1 lb wahoo slid into second place for the weekly prize but claimed first place in the daily division, earning $5,000. MOTLEY CREW followed with a 40.5 lb ‘hoo to take second in the daily. MJ'S weighed in the only tuna of the day — a 32 lb catch that earned the team $5,000.
BEST MEDICINE remains at the top of the leaderboard in the outboard division with a Blue Marlin that was released on Day 1 of the tournament.
The action was down to the wire today, with DEMOLISHED PROFITS fighting a fish for over six hours — from 2:21 PM to 8:49 PM — before finally releasing it after a long battle on light tackle.
With the Fabulous Fisherman’s Prize of $807,500 still unclaimed, and the Super 20 Division prize of $1,428,000 wide open — it’s anyone’s game.
Day 5 is right around the corner. Don’t miss a minute of the action — listen LIVE on the Big Rock App.
Day 3 brought plenty of action offshore and at the scales. With the majority of the fleet back on the water, the bite stayed steady all day long. A total of 121 billfish were released — 65 blue marlin, 18 white marlin, and 38 sailfish.
MARSH MADNESS started things off with the Gregory Poole First Blue Marlin Release of the Day at 9:15 a.m., worth $5,000. SALLY GIRL had a strong showing, releasing three blue marlin and two sailfish to win the Level VIII Daily Release Prize of $59,075. RAMBLIN’ MAN claimed the Level IX Non-Sonar Release Division with a blue marlin release, earning a payday of $30,175.
Gamefish trickled in steadily throughout the afternoon. The 67’ Jarrett Bay, SEA WISH, made their Big Rock debut at the scales, weighing in a 47.2 lb. dolphin to take the daily prize of $5,000. Fishing out of Puerto Rico, the team is currently leading the Level VII Parker Boats Dolphin Winner Take All Division. If their catch holds through the end of the week, they’re set to win an additional $548,250.
SMOKER stepped up with a 117.4 lb. yellowfin tuna, earning the daily tuna prize of $5,000. BULL PEN weighed in a 60.7 lb. wahoo, worth $5,000, and MOTLEY CREW added a 19.6 lb. wahoo to the leaderboard, taking home $2,500 for second place.
In the Outboard Division, BEST MEDICINE is currently holding the lead. If they stay on top through the end of the week, they'll walk away with $28,475.
One of the most exciting moments of the day came late in the afternoon, when lady angler Lizzie Montague lit up Big Rock Landing with a 449.7 lb. blue marlin aboard BANKWALKER. Just shy of the 500 lb. minimum needed to claim the Level V Fabulous Fisherman’s prize, it was still an unforgettable moment for the crew — and for Lizzie.
“I’m still in shock… it’s been a lifelong dream of mine,” she said moments after the fish hit the scale.
With the $807,500 prize for the first qualifying blue marlin still on the table, tomorrow is wide open — and the race is far from over.
There’s still a long week ahead, and with conditions improving, the leaderboard could shift at any moment. Stay tuned and follow the action live in the Big Rock App as we head into Day 4.
