Drama with second place marks Big Rock’s second day

June 14, 2005

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – A 482-pound blue marlin caught Tuesday during the second day of the 47th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin competition proved heavy enough to take over second place in the standings at a time when most observers were wondering what happened to the previous fish that originally held that position.

Shortly before the crew of the J&B arrived at the scales with a 482-pounder, Big Rock officials ruled that the Wilmington-based Tuna Trappe, the tournament’s inaugural second-place boat, had brought an illegal fish to the weigh station. The fish was disqualified and is not eligible for prizes.

“The rules are very clear,” said Big Rock president Randy Ramsey. “All boats must meet state and federal regulations. It is a federal requirement to possess a valid Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit anytime you fish for and/or retain a blue marlin.
“A few hours ago, federal authorities informed us that Tuna Trappe did not — at the time of the catch — possess a valid HMS permit. Since Tuna Trappe did not possess a valid HMS permit, its catch was in violation of federal regulations. The 491.5-pound blue marlin caught by Tuna Trappe has been disqualified and is not eligible for prize money.”

It also means the boat will have a 400-pound penalty levied against future blue marlin catches. The rules specify that the next heaviest blue marlin will be reduced in weight by 400 pounds.

“It’s very regrettable,” said Big Rock tournament director Crystal Watters. “We hope something like this never happens again.”

Right now, the biggest beneficiary of this debacle is the crew of J&B. Even though they arrived at the Big Rock scales with what turned out to be the third heaviest blue marlin of the tournament, the disqualification of the Tuna Trappe fish puts J&B in position to win $550,090.

“Wow … I’ve been chasing this fish a long time,” said J&B captain Allan Murray, who had not been to the Big Rock weigh station before with a blue marlin. “We’ve fished this tournament 12 years and this is the first time we’ve weighed one. It feels real good.”

Murray said he knew he’s found a good spot to fish when a blue marlin hit his bait just minutes after the fishing day began.

“We were on a weed line at 9 a.m. with a good (temperature) break of two degrees,” he said. “It was pretty water. We’ve fished pretty water both days. Today we got hooked up right away.

“My angler (Richard Howard) fought him about 30 minutes before the fish sounded. Then it was just a struggle to get it up to the surface and into the boat. But we got it done.”

The J&B crew boated their blue marlin after a 70-minute fight. Then there was the wide-open run to the weigh station and a celebration after the weight of the fish was announced.

The crew of the Gambler celebrated, too, since the day ended with no other blue marlin at the scales. Gambler, who finished second in the Big Rock in 2000, weighed in a 515.5-pound blue marlin Monday. Gambler captain Steve Garrett arrived at the Big Rock scales five years to the day after he caught his big money fish in the 42nd annual Big Rock. He had a feeling Monday would be a lucky day.

“I like fishing on June the 13th,” said Garrett. “I feel mighty lucky. I think 13 is a lucky number.”

Right now that “lucky 13” fish is worth $495,815.

Tailwalker, a boat captained by Fred Walker out of Southport, currently holds down third place in the blue marlin standings. Tailwalker brought a 415-pound blue marlin to the scales just before midnight Monday and would receive $47,820 if it can hold on to third place four more days.

That’s not likely.

The tournament won’t reach its midpoint until 3 p.m. Wednesday and all 181 boats in the field have at least two days of fishing left. While fishing action decreased from Monday to Tuesday, many anglers expect good things to happen Wednesday.

“We may fish again Wednesday,” said Murray. “It sure was pretty out there today.”

Especially for anglers who came across pods of tuna, wahoo and dolphin. New overall leaders were established in the dolphin and wahoo divisions. New daily winners locked up a share of the $1,378,375 purse and gave the fans at the waterfront weigh station plenty to cheer about.

The Great Escape, captained by Jim Mothershed out of Winston Salem, brought a 56.35-pound dolphin to the scales to take over the lead in that category. Release, captained by Rom Whitaker out of Hatteras, weighed in a 70.70-pound wahoo to take the lead in that category.

Frequent Flyer, captained by Glen Loftin out of Greenville, brought a 109.05-pound tuna to the weigh station Monday and still holds the lead in that division. Gamefish division winners will receive nearly $10,000.

The six-day competition continues Wednesday at 9 a.m. Each boat is allowed to fish 4 out of the 6 days during the tournament.

Drama with second place marks Big Rock’s second day

June 14, 2005

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – A 482-pound blue marlin caught Tuesday during the second day of the 47th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin competition proved heavy enough to take over second place in the standings at a time when most observers were wondering what happened to the previous fish that originally held that position.

Shortly before the crew of the J&B arrived at the scales with a 482-pounder, Big Rock officials ruled that the Wilmington-based Tuna Trappe, the tournament’s inaugural second-place boat, had brought an illegal fish to the weigh station. The fish was disqualified and is not eligible for prizes.

“The rules are very clear,” said Big Rock president Randy Ramsey. “All boats must meet state and federal regulations. It is a federal requirement to possess a valid Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit anytime you fish for and/or retain a blue marlin.
“A few hours ago, federal authorities informed us that Tuna Trappe did not — at the time of the catch — possess a valid HMS permit. Since Tuna Trappe did not possess a valid HMS permit, its catch was in violation of federal regulations. The 491.5-pound blue marlin caught by Tuna Trappe has been disqualified and is not eligible for prize money.”

It also means the boat will have a 400-pound penalty levied against future blue marlin catches. The rules specify that the next heaviest blue marlin will be reduced in weight by 400 pounds.

“It’s very regrettable,” said Big Rock tournament director Crystal Watters. “We hope something like this never happens again.”

Right now, the biggest beneficiary of this debacle is the crew of J&B. Even though they arrived at the Big Rock scales with what turned out to be the third heaviest blue marlin of the tournament, the disqualification of the Tuna Trappe fish puts J&B in position to win $550,090.

“Wow … I’ve been chasing this fish a long time,” said J&B captain Allan Murray, who had not been to the Big Rock weigh station before with a blue marlin. “We’ve fished this tournament 12 years and this is the first time we’ve weighed one. It feels real good.”

Murray said he knew he’s found a good spot to fish when a blue marlin hit his bait just minutes after the fishing day began.

“We were on a weed line at 9 a.m. with a good (temperature) break of two degrees,” he said. “It was pretty water. We’ve fished pretty water both days. Today we got hooked up right away.

“My angler (Richard Howard) fought him about 30 minutes before the fish sounded. Then it was just a struggle to get it up to the surface and into the boat. But we got it done.”

The J&B crew boated their blue marlin after a 70-minute fight. Then there was the wide-open run to the weigh station and a celebration after the weight of the fish was announced.

The crew of the Gambler celebrated, too, since the day ended with no other blue marlin at the scales. Gambler, who finished second in the Big Rock in 2000, weighed in a 515.5-pound blue marlin Monday. Gambler captain Steve Garrett arrived at the Big Rock scales five years to the day after he caught his big money fish in the 42nd annual Big Rock. He had a feeling Monday would be a lucky day.

“I like fishing on June the 13th,” said Garrett. “I feel mighty lucky. I think 13 is a lucky number.”

Right now that “lucky 13” fish is worth $495,815.

Tailwalker, a boat captained by Fred Walker out of Southport, currently holds down third place in the blue marlin standings. Tailwalker brought a 415-pound blue marlin to the scales just before midnight Monday and would receive $47,820 if it can hold on to third place four more days.

That’s not likely.

The tournament won’t reach its midpoint until 3 p.m. Wednesday and all 181 boats in the field have at least two days of fishing left. While fishing action decreased from Monday to Tuesday, many anglers expect good things to happen Wednesday.

“We may fish again Wednesday,” said Murray. “It sure was pretty out there today.”

Especially for anglers who came across pods of tuna, wahoo and dolphin. New overall leaders were established in the dolphin and wahoo divisions. New daily winners locked up a share of the $1,378,375 purse and gave the fans at the waterfront weigh station plenty to cheer about.

The Great Escape, captained by Jim Mothershed out of Winston Salem, brought a 56.35-pound dolphin to the scales to take over the lead in that category. Release, captained by Rom Whitaker out of Hatteras, weighed in a 70.70-pound wahoo to take the lead in that category.

Frequent Flyer, captained by Glen Loftin out of Greenville, brought a 109.05-pound tuna to the weigh station Monday and still holds the lead in that division. Gamefish division winners will receive nearly $10,000.

The six-day competition continues Wednesday at 9 a.m. Each boat is allowed to fish 4 out of the 6 days during the tournament.