The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament recently celebrated 64 years of competition with a record-breaking purse and top prize payout. This year, 266 teams and over 1,500 competitors vied for a piece of the impressive $5,858,875 purse, and the winning team was able to stack up a total payout of $3,489,813 – a record only surpassed by one other event in all of billfishing’s tournament history.
Day 1 of the tournament started off hot, with Captain Neil Sykes of the 72-foot Viking, “MERCENARIA”, and angler Matthew Brown weighing a 572.6-pound blue marlin. Their entry into the Fabulous Fisherman division of the tournament immediately ensured them at least $777,750 for bringing the first blue marlin to the scales weighing over 500 pounds.
Teams fish four of six days (captain’s choice) of the tournament and can enter as many of the 11 eligible divisions as they prefer, each with unique payout opportunities. Although seven additional blue marlin were brought to the scales at Big Rock Landing throughout the six-day tournament, none could unseat the 572.6-pound fish weighed by “MERCENARIA” on the first day. The team’s first-place blue marlin along with their Fabulous Fisherman prize added up to winnings of $3,489,813. Other popular billfish tournaments have had larger participant fields and total purses available, but only once has a single participating team won a calcutta of prizes this large.
Former NBA and North Carlina basketball superstar Michael Jordan added to the Day 1 excitement, backing into Big Rock Landing in Morehead City aboard his 80-foot Viking yacht, “CATCH 23” and weighing a 24-pound dolphin fish (mahi). Jordan went on to release two blue marlin during the tournament.
While multi-million-dollar winnings are commonplace in the world of professional sports, fishing tournaments like the Big Rock attract entrants from all walks of life and experience levels, with Lady and Junior angler divisions also offering distinct payouts. In the 64 years of tournament history, fishing for blue marlin off North Carolina has truly evolved from a novel hobby to an epic sporting event rewarding anglers with millions of dollars.
This year, nearly 1 million listeners from 60 countries tuned in to Big Rock Radio to keep tabs on the action. Big Rock TV also features daily live stream video sessions and racked up over 2 million viewers in 71 countries.
The Big Rock is not just a week-long sportfishing tournament or unique spectating destination, it is also a charitable foundation that gives to the local community throughout the year. Total charitable contributions since The Big Rock Foundation was formed in 1986 exceed $7.5 million.
As the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament continues to grow its global following and offshore participant base, so will the charitable efforts throughout the communities the Big Rock Foundation serves. The Big Rock Board of Directors is grateful for the support of so many world-class teams, businesses and organizations, and look forward to June 12, 2023, for the kick-off of the 65th Annual tournament! Read Full Recap.
