Releases dominate Big Rock’s second day
June 12, 2007
Billfish releases and gamefish weigh-ins dominated the action Tuesday as the 49th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament completed its second day of competition.
Anglers battled 53 billfish, including 33 blue marlin Tuesday but none were deemed large enough to meet the tournament minimum of 400 pounds.
That leaves the Wrightsville Beach-based Safari atop the leader board with the 473.5-pounder that angler Brett Goulding reeled in Monday afternoon. Safari, owned by John McNeill, Jr. of Whiteville and captained by Mark Harris, Dania Beach, Fla., grabbed the tournament’s inaugural lead and managed to hold on despite the best two days of Big Rock billfish fishing in more than 10 years.
“It was as good a day of fishing that I can recall in a long, long time,†said Big Rock board member Randy Ramsey, who handles radio communications with competitors throughout the tournament. “It’s the best two days of fishing in many, many years … especially for blue marlin. We had 33 blue marlin today and, by anybody’s standards, that’s outstanding fishing.â€ÂÂÂÂ
Anglers have tallied 89 billfish releases in two days, including 52 blue marlin releases.
The competition, which grew to 184 boats late Sunday, had 176 boats go offshore Tuesday morning. Anglers are battling for a share of the Big Rock’s $1,568,950 purse. A winning boat would receive $800,837.50 if – like the Safari – it was entered all levels.
Sea Toy, captained by Bull Tolson, Manteo, holds the billfish release lead with 1040 points. Sea Toy has two blue marlin releases, including one on a circle hook. A victory in the release division is worth more than $82,000.
Goombay, captained by Steve Stephenson, Wrightsville Beach, is second in the release division with 800 points. Rebel, captained by Randy Butler of Virginia Beach, VA, captured the $2,000 daily release prize with a blue marlin release 16 minutes after fishing started Tuesday.
The aptly named Yellowfin, a boat captained by Jeff Garner, Morehead City, holds first place in the tuna division. Garner brought a 69.4-pounder to the scales Monday that was reeled in by Steve Rollins of Brighton, UT.
The dolphin category, which has had the most activity this tournament, is led by Reel Quick, a Wrightsville Beach-based boat captained by Chris Bailey. Bailey’s angler, Carroll Thomas, Raeford, reeled in a 41.4-pounder on Monday.
Sudden Impact, captained by Jerry Elliott, Dover, holds the lead in the wahoo category with a 24.85-pounder. All gamefish division winners will receive $5,652 while runner-ups get $3,768.
The six-day event continues Wednesday at 9 a.m. Each boat is allowed to fish 4 out of the 6 days during the competition.
Releases dominate Big Rock’s second day
June 12, 2007
Billfish releases and gamefish weigh-ins dominated the action Tuesday as the 49th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament completed its second day of competition.
Anglers battled 53 billfish, including 33 blue marlin Tuesday but none were deemed large enough to meet the tournament minimum of 400 pounds.
That leaves the Wrightsville Beach-based Safari atop the leader board with the 473.5-pounder that angler Brett Goulding reeled in Monday afternoon. Safari, owned by John McNeill, Jr. of Whiteville and captained by Mark Harris, Dania Beach, Fla., grabbed the tournament’s inaugural lead and managed to hold on despite the best two days of Big Rock billfish fishing in more than 10 years.
“It was as good a day of fishing that I can recall in a long, long time,†said Big Rock board member Randy Ramsey, who handles radio communications with competitors throughout the tournament. “It’s the best two days of fishing in many, many years … especially for blue marlin. We had 33 blue marlin today and, by anybody’s standards, that’s outstanding fishing.â€ÂÂÂÂ
Anglers have tallied 89 billfish releases in two days, including 52 blue marlin releases.
The competition, which grew to 184 boats late Sunday, had 176 boats go offshore Tuesday morning. Anglers are battling for a share of the Big Rock’s $1,568,950 purse. A winning boat would receive $800,837.50 if – like the Safari – it was entered all levels.
Sea Toy, captained by Bull Tolson, Manteo, holds the billfish release lead with 1040 points. Sea Toy has two blue marlin releases, including one on a circle hook. A victory in the release division is worth more than $82,000.
Goombay, captained by Steve Stephenson, Wrightsville Beach, is second in the release division with 800 points. Rebel, captained by Randy Butler of Virginia Beach, VA, captured the $2,000 daily release prize with a blue marlin release 16 minutes after fishing started Tuesday.
The aptly named Yellowfin, a boat captained by Jeff Garner, Morehead City, holds first place in the tuna division. Garner brought a 69.4-pounder to the scales Monday that was reeled in by Steve Rollins of Brighton, UT.
The dolphin category, which has had the most activity this tournament, is led by Reel Quick, a Wrightsville Beach-based boat captained by Chris Bailey. Bailey’s angler, Carroll Thomas, Raeford, reeled in a 41.4-pounder on Monday.
Sudden Impact, captained by Jerry Elliott, Dover, holds the lead in the wahoo category with a 24.85-pounder. All gamefish division winners will receive $5,652 while runner-ups get $3,768.
The six-day event continues Wednesday at 9 a.m. Each boat is allowed to fish 4 out of the 6 days during the competition.