Big Rock l 66th Annual

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LEGEND SPONSOR

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GIVING BACK - From city clean ups, to honoring local first responders, to supporting our schools and athletic programs, the Parker Auto Group knows the importance of investing back in the community. For over 75 years the Parker Family and its dealerships has focused on that investment and looks forward to doing so for year to come.

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RELIABILITY. DURABILITY. SUPPORT.

VENETIAN PRINCESS

RALEIGH’S VILLAGE DISTRICT

“Tournament week is the highlight of my year. I'm looking forward to both the exciting offshore action and the friendly camaraderie that is shared among the

~ Madison Struyk, Executive Director

Team Members

Table Of Contents

Our amazing sponsors that make it possible

The reason we give and our partners

Meet the lucky anglers who won

Looking back and saying good bye

The boats, the teams, the anglers

Moments from the 2023 Big Rock

boats that fished in 2023

Meet the lucky ladies that won

A quick stroll through the years

Looking back at winning fish

“Year after year, the tournament evolves… but the mission of growing the sport and supporting the community remains stronger than ever.”

~ Les Collins, BR President

Les has worked over 33 years in the outboard boating industry as president and owner of Collins, Inc., in Smithfield, North Carolina. An Eagle Scout and avid waterman, Les spends countless hours boating, fishing and hunting in eastern North Carolina.

WELCOME TO THE 2024

Big Rock Tournament

WWho can fathom what treasures the Old Man & the Sea holds for us this year at the 66th annual Big Rock Tournament? Whatever unfolds, I am certain it will etch everlasting memories, as it has faithfully done since 1957.

The 65th Annual Big Rock Tournament Level V Fabulous Fisherman’s $739,500 prize money will rollover to the 2024 tournament. Should the number of entries remain consistent with last year, the first blue marlin to be boated over 500 lbs. in Level V could potentially result in a substantial $1.5 million prize. Moreover, if that fish stays at the top of the leaderboard, it could be worth a potential $4.2 million if entered in levels I-VI.

It is with my sincere appreciation to all the sponsors and participants throughout the years that have elevated the Big Rock Tournament to be the largest non-profit billfish tournament in the world. With your involvement and contributions, The Big Rock Foundation has been able to fund organizations that enhance healthcare and education, along with high-impact projects that have transformed our community. In 2023, we made our largest donation yet of $1,659,000, which has brought our total contributions to over $10 million, thus fulfilling our mission to put charity first.

I would like to give special thanks to the Big Rock staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers. Their hard work, dedication, and countless hours have made The Big Rock Tournament a huge success which grows each year. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributes to the Big Rock Foundation by purchasing our merchandise. Every purchase is a gift back to the community. We look forward to many more years of growing our giving efforts through fun, fellowship, and fishing.

Les Collins • President

Jim is the owner of the Anchorage Marina in Atlantic Beach and is an active realtor and a developer of waterfront properties in the Carteret County area. He and his wife live in Atlantic Beach surrounded by water and boat slips at their marina. Joy Bell has given hours and hours of free time as the Big Rock accountant, with a lot of special attention during Big Rock Tournament week. Having fished the KWLA for many years, Joy and her team won first place Billfish Release in 2017. Joy is an enthusiastic angler and is Tax Director in the firm of PBMares.

When

• Past President 2001–2003 2015–2017

• Board Member Since 1981

Billy has supported Big Rock in many areas, including running the committee boat from 1986 to 1998 and fishing the tournament aboard the Sugar Bear since 1972. He is co-owner and CEO of Eastern Wrecker Sales, Inc.

Billy Kornegay Randy Ramsey

• Past President 2003-2005, 2009-2011

• Board Member Since 1987

Randy is the founder of Jarrett Bay Boatworks and currently serves as vice president of Safe Harbor Jarrett Bay. He has been involved in the boating and fishing industries his whole life, including running a fishing charter, marine surveying, building boats and now running one of the world’s leading custom boat manufacturing and service facilities. Randy is also a dealer principal at Bluewater Yacht Sales. Randy is very involved in the community and serves on many nonprofit boards.

Caroline Petrilli

• Board Member Since 2016

Caroline grew up in Carteret County with a love of sport fishing. In 2014, she was awarded Top Female Angler in the North Carolina Governor’s Cup. She is now a CPA at PBMares in Morehead City.

Curtis Strange

• Board Member Since 2003

Curtis brings extensive knowledge, experience and insight in marketing, promotion and event management. His extensive accomplishments include being a two-time U.S. Open champion and three-time Player of the Year. In 2007, Curtis was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Mike Thompson

• Treasurer

• Board Member Since 2006

Mike, a former charter boat captain and avid waterman, first began his association with the Big Rock tissue sampling for mercury and selenium content at Duke Marine Lab in 1974. Mike owns and manages Multi-Services, Inc., a telecommunication and financial services firm. Mike and his wife, Connie, live on Harkers Island.

Casey

Wagner

• Past President 1988–1992 2011–2013

• Board Member Since 1985

A Morehead City native and avid sport fisherman, Casey Wagner has fished in every Big Rock tournament since 1973, and will fish this year on his boat, Inspiration. He is the owner of Spectrum Rental Properties, specializing in luxury vacation rentals in Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Beaufort and Down East.

Event Calendar

KWLA LIVESTREAM 2PM

Polygraph tests shall be administered to the top money winners, release winners, captain and others as deemed necessary by tournament officials. Participants must make themselves available for testing in Carteret County within 24 hours following notice from tournament officials. Individuals that are required to take the polygraph test must not consume alcohol or any controlled substance within eight hours prior to the test.

A participant’s refusal to take a polygraph test or failure to answer test questions in a manner satisfactory to tournament officials, in their sole discretion, may result in disqualification. By entering the tournament, participants consent to the admissibility of polygraph results in any dispute or proceeding arising out of the tournament.

Polygraphs will be administered at the Crowe Law Firm at 402 Turner Street in Beaufort, North Carolina (Pin 3 on map).

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Crosley.com

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SunBrella.com

DISPLAY SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

“We are so thankful for our many donations to the Foundation this year, including memorial, individual, and participant contributions.”

~

Crystal Hesmer, Foundation Director

RECORD BREAKING GIVING

Over $10 Million

Donated

TThe 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!

September 14, 1957, marked the first-ever landing of a blue marlin in Morehead City. Last year, Big Rock made history again by giving back $1.6 million to well-deserving organizations in Carteret County and beyond. It's our way of honoring the spirit of that historical catch 66 years ago and paying tribute to the tournament's growth.

Like that iconic catch, The Big Rock Foundation is captivated by the concept that small actions can lead to something monumental. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, with its 271 boats and anglers worldwide, is the driving force behind the incredible donations. Additionally, the Big Rock Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament has become the world's largest ladies-only tournament, boasting 266 boats.

THE BIG ROCK FOUNDATION

The Big Rock Kids Tournament has become a renowned event that gets Junior Anglers hooked on fishing and has funded donations to children's charities in Eastern North Carolina.

"The charitable contributions announced in 2023 were made possible by the record-breaking success, participation and sponsorship across all three events, and year-round retail sales."Madison Struyk, Executive Director.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament isn't just about fishing; it's about creating a tidal wave of change. The Big Rock Foundation knows how to ride that wave, turning every dollar from retail sales, every generous donation, and every participant's enthusiasm into a force for good.

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.

The Big Rock Foundation is thrilled to announce its most significant single donation to date—a transformative $500,000 contribution to Carteret Health Care. This substantial sum will establish a cutting-edge oncology center, a testament to the

Foundation's unwavering commitment to community health and access to top-tier medical facilities and services.

"Giving Tuesday was a historic day for the Big Rock tournaments, the best day of the year!" commented Crystal Hesmer, Foundation Director. "We are so thankful for our many donations to the Foundation this year, including memorial, individual, and participant contributions."

About The Big Rock Foundation

The Big Rock Foundation is the charitable arm of all three tournaments: The Big Rock Tournament, The Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament, and The Big Rock Kids Tournament. The Foundation harnesses the support of donors, participants, and retail sales to impact society significantly.

Mission Statement:

• To promote sportfishing throughout Carteret County and the state of North Carolina.

• To promote Conservation among Sportfishermen.

• To raise money for Charities and Worthy Community Projects.

• To preserve Maritime Culture and Heritage.

• To promote Marine Education

For more information, please visit thebigrock.com/charities.

Autism Society of NC | $10,000

To support the Social Recreation Program providing after school programming and summer day camp experiences for individuals with autism.

Beaufort Little League | $177,000

A substantial donation that will provide lighting on Field 3 at Freedom Park and build new batting cages in Beaufort, NC.

BridgeKids Preschool | $28,000

The donation will fund essential updates to meet the state and town of Beautort's Fire Department codes, as well as expand the playground area and construct a covered shelter complete with furniture, allowing the school to open full-time.

Broad Creek Middle School | $20,500

To replace the broken scoreboards, and ATV used to maintain the baseball and softball fields.

Coastal Pregnancy Care Center | $20,000

To build a garage covering the Mobile Medical Unit.

Delta Health Foundation | $10,000

The funding donated to Delta Health will provide the opportunity for 30 cancer survivors and caregivers to experience offshore fishing during the Big Rock KWLA tournament.

Family Promise | $20,000

A non-profit organization that provides a safe environment and services to homeless families with children in Carteret County. This donation helps the building meet new fire code restrictions.

IGFA Research & Conservation | $16,000

This donation will help fund a generous matching gift pledge that will be used exclusively to conserve billfish FOREVER. These funds will grow in perpetuity and additional contributions will be added over time.

Knights of Columbus LAMB Foundation | $2,000 LAMB Foundation (Least Among My Brothers) funds are used to help fund Special Olympics of Jones County and local school classrooms to help students with intellectual disabilities.

Make a Wish | $10,000

This donation creates life-changing wishes for children in eastern North Carolina who are battling critical medical illnesses.

Military Appreciation Day | $10,000 Support for the local 501C3 charity that organizes volunteer boat captains to take active duty military troops for a day of fishing followed by a large family style picnic with prizes for each participant. Newport Babe Ruth League | $30,000 Providing equipment that will help assist in maintaining the infield dirt leveling, dragging, and conditioning the necessary clay soil in both wet and dry conditions. Newport Little League | $48,000

This project will fund a complete renovation of the league field and complete a much-needed equipment update.

NC STATE University | $30,000

Supporting a new study that will analyze the diet data taken from dolphinfish weighed in the Big Rock tournament from 2003-2023. This study will help benefit the management and assessment of this species and ultimately the fishery. Purpose Driven Youth Ministry

and

and

2023 High Impact Projects

Helping Our Local Schools

The Big Rock Foundation made its largest donation to date in 2023 by donating an unprecedented $500,000 to the new Accelerated Cancer Center.

The Accelerated Cancer Center will enable the current radiation oncology program to augment leading cancer treatment technologies with the initial acquisition of a second linear accelerator and the eventual replacement of the current accelerator. This major expansion will also allow the expansion of the chemotherapy infusion services housed in the main Carteret Health Care hospital.

FOUNDATION

Since the closure

THE BIG ROCK FOUNDATION

Discover the “Best Boutique Hotel in America” named by USA Today ! Brilliant sunsets. Gentle breezes. Glimpses of wild horses across Taylor’s Creek. It’s hard to imagine a more peaceful setting than the Beaufort Hotel. Our venue combines the most luxurious accommodations and delicious hand-crafted cuisine with the vintage charms of North Carolina’s third-oldest town. So you can spend your time exploring the past and relaxing in the present. Whe r e y

“As a Veteran owned family boat, the tradition of the Big Rock Hero program has been one of the main reasons we love to be involved with the Big Rock. Just getting to spend a day with the men and women who protect this country in a fun environment, is something special. Putting two groups of great people together to share stories makes some very memorable moments.”

~ Todd Dickerson, Owner Top Dog

what is the

Big Rock Big Hero?

BBig Rock Big Hero presented by Salt Life was created in 2018 as a way to honor active duty servicemen and women. “Our vision for the Big Rock, Big Hero experience was to provide deserving servicemembers with an unforgettable fishing adventure. All of us at the Big Rock are forever grateful for their service to our country and this was just a small way of showing our appreciation,” explains Foundation Director Crystal Hesmer.

Service members are hosted on world-class sport fishing boats alongside elite anglers who are honored to welcome them aboard. Thank you to our hosts of 2023, pictured on the next page. We are thrilled for the seventh annual Big Rock Big Hero this year!

“I’ve waited my entire life for a moment like this! I’ve often daydreamed what it would be like to weigh a fish at the Big Rock Scales. TODAY is that day.”

~ Justin Riley, Angler SUSHI

Ask any angler on a sportfishing boat what they dream of and you’ll likely hear “be in the cockpit backing into the Big Rock weigh station”. While a dream for most, it’s a very real reality for a select few. Everyone has the chance to place in the Big Rock and in the pages that follow you’ll see who were the lucky few from last year’s 65th annual tournament.

Why in the world where there so many sailfish off the North Carolina coast last year?

As a billfish photographer, I’m usually spending my time in places like Costa Rica, Isla, or places off the beaten path simply because the numbers of fish we see in a day are far greater than that of my home port. Last year however, the waters off the coast of North Carolina felt more like the waters in south Florida and South American countries, boasting a monumental congregation of sailfish that stretched as far north as Ocean City, Maryland.

The reports started early and stayed consistent across the board all year. Recreational boats, charter boats, and tournament boats all took notice. No matter what marina or tackle shop I visited, the conversations were the same. The huge number of sailfish in our waters. Blue marlin where in abundance however there was a decline in the numbers of white marlin being seen and caught.

Did we see less whites because the sails were so thick? The truth is nobody knows for sure. But all the captains, marine biologists, and lifelong watermen all said the same thing. It could be a hundred different things.

No two years are the same, and after 25 years of offshore fishing I've got few answers and a whole lot more questions than I did when I

started. It seems that more and more sailfish are crossing the Mason-Dixon heading north every year, and they're staying up there longer. Captains I've spoken to, from Palm Beach to New Jersey, have reported seeing and catching sailfish in greater numbers and later into the colder season.

Captain Thomas Wood of the ‘DANCIN' OUTLAW’ from Morehead City, NC, says the increase in sailfish during the fall is unmistakable. “We always saw sailfish in August and September with a few hanging around into October.” Now, Thomas says when the weather allows the fleet to fish, double-digit release days in December are pretty common. (Quoted from an article in Sport Fishing magazine).

While fishing and doing photography on the Mama C last year, (a 60’ Bayliss that is a traveling tournament boat fishing all over the east coast, South America, and Costa Rica) Captain Rob Mahoney took notice of the big numbers of sails. “Like all billfish, sailfish are all about the live bait. If you find the sardines, mackerel, herring, or cigar minnows, the sailfish aren’t going to be far behind. I’m not sure if we’re following the sailfish or the sailfish are following us. Everywhere we’ve fished this year, the sails are in big numbers.”

Morehead City local and Big Rock Weighmaster Randy Gregory has seen his fair share of fish through the tournament years and his time at Marine Fisheries. “That’s a big question and has loads of variables.

I think it’s safe to say oceanographic conditions, climate, bait, water temps, and winds all play a factor in why and where these fish move”.

Atlantic sailfish definitely favor areas near the Gulf Stream. There, they congregate in the warm waters just offshore from the continent, out to the continental shelf and over seamounts. Their migrations are directly

“That's a big question and has loads of variables. I think it's safe to say oceanograpahic condions, climate, bait, water temps, and winds all play a factor in why these fish move.”

~ Randy Gregory, BR Weighmaster

linked to changes in water temperature. On the U.S. East Coast, they migrate north in April and May and return southward in September and October. These migrations correspond so closely with temperature that scientists can predict the arrival of Atlantic sailfish in a particular location with a high degree of accuracy.

“Sailfish are highly transient fish and do not stay in one place very long” says Randy Blankinship from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Highly Migratory Species Division. “It would be an easy answer to say bluewater pelagics are moving north because rising water temperatures, which moves the bait, which moves them all up the coast”.

When I spoke with Tom Jenson of the National Marine Fisheries Service, he broke down the increase numbers to six categories that likely affected the migration pattern from 2023. He was also quick to point out that migration patterns along the Atlantic coast vary from year to year if any one of these components sustain an anomaly or a variable that’s not considered “normal”, meaning unusual water temps, greater/lower bait numbers, etc. Here is the most likely list of factors that played part in the sailfish numbers.

Oceanographic Conditions: Changes in ocean currents, water temperatures, and other environmental factors can influence the distribution and movement of sailfish. In some years, favorable oceanographic conditions may result in the northward extension of suitable habitat for sailfish, leading to increased numbers along the Atlantic coast. Just a few degrees of water temp can have a significant impact on the movement of fish.

Prey Availability: Sailfish primarily feed on small pelagic fish such as sardines, mackerel, and herring. Variation in the abundance and distribution of these prey species can affect the distribution and concentration of billfish. Years with abundant prey populations may attract more sailfish to the Atlantic coast.

Climate Variability: Climate patterns such as El Niño and La Niña can influence ocean temperatures and weather patterns, which in turn affect marine ecosystems. These climate phenomena can lead to fluctuations in prey availability and oceanographic conditions along the Atlantic coast, impacting the abundance of sailfish in certain years. Both El Niño and La Niña mainly affect the Pacific Ocean however they have indirect effects on weather patterns around the world. The last significant El Niño event occurred in 2015-2016, while the last notable La Niña event occurred in 2020-2021. These events can influence atmospheric circulation patterns globally, which in turn can affect weather patterns in the Atlantic Ocean region, including hurricane activity.

Reproductive Cycles: Sailfish undertake migrations for breeding purposes, and fluctuations in reproductive success can influence the number of sailfish migrating along the Atlantic coast in a given year. Successful breeding events in certain years may result in larger numbers of juvenile sailfish migrating northward.

Fishery Management: Changes in fishing regulations, conservation measures, and fishing pressure can also influence the abundance of sailfish along the Atlantic coast. Effective management practices that protect sailfish populations from overfishing can lead to increased numbers in some years. Hopeful conservations would like to think catch and release efforts are simply yielding more fish.

Natural Variation: Like many marine species, sailfish populations experience natural fluctuations in abundance due to factors such as predation, disease, and competition. These natural variations can contribute to differences in the number of sailfish migrating along the Atlantic coast from year to year.

There are a few “long-shot” theories floating around. Some suggest that less predators such as sharks open the doors for more transient fish in our region. Most charter boat captains would quickly dispel that theory especially trying to get a tuna to the boat. Most tuna come in half eaten. Another long-shot I’ve heard recently is, if there are no dominate blue marlin, (marlin in the 600 to 1,200 pound class) there is room for more species to flood in. In support of that theory, the Big Rock did not weigh a blue marlin over 500 pounds last year. Furthermore, the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament and Pirate's Cove, did not weigh any big blues either. The White Marlin Open weighed one blue at 640 pounds.

While I don’t have any direct answers, perhaps the answer is greater and more hopeful than science can explain. Maybe it’s as simple as the ocean is thriving and there is resilience of life beneath the waves. No matter what the answer is, as long as I’m alive, you can rest assured that I’ll be out there with my camera waiting to photograph whatever jumps behind the boat from our beautiful oceans.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Harry R. Hindmarsh is a native of Virginia and North Carolina, a photographer, graphic designer, and owns Cabin Fever Communications. He is the partner and Captain of BRAIN STORM, a 56' Viking from Norfolk, Virginia.

Art Gill

• August 26, 1946 - January 14, 2024

Art had a deep love and commitment to his community from an early age, starting with volunteering for the Fire Department in college. He was a consummate problem solver and tinkerer, so it was no surprise that he graduated with an engineering degree from N.C. State and then created a business that filled a communications void in Carteret County. For many years, Art worked closely behind the scenes with the Big Rock Tournament to make sure that they had all of their communication needs met during the event, day and night.

Through the years Art enjoyed all the joys of living on the water, from sailing to diving, to flying over the shoals and spotting wrecks from his little Cessna plane. But what really gave Art joy was helping others, from mentoring other small business owners to participating in many, many community organizations like the Fire Department, the Civil Air Patrol, Rotary, the NC Seafood Festival and so much more. He will always be remembered as someone you could turn to for an ingenious solution to almost any problem.

Benjamin J. Green

• April 6, 1941 – October 7, 2023

Ben was born in Sayre, PA and spent his earlier life in Waverly , NY. After graduating from Sayre High School, he enlisted in the United St ates Marine Corps. Ben would begin his Boot Camp training at Parris Island, SC, and infantry training at Camp Lejeune, NC. During his enlistment, his most serious major deployment as a Marine was the critical US Military react ion in Cuba during the Soviet Union missile confrontation of 1962. After b eing honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Ben returned to NY where he s uccessfully began a recreational vehicle sales and service business.

The North Carolina shore would call Ben back and become his fin al home near Morehead City, NC. Upon his return, he managed to put his skills as a craftsman to work building boats prior to gaining experience wi th deep water and charter fishing.

Ben enjoyed charter and commercial fishing and the good-time rivalry associated with commercial and sport fishing. Although Captain Ben had acquired several boats named the “Bill Collector,” his prize boat was his final 51-foot Jarrett Bay Hull #11, which is a bright yellow hull that splashed in 1993. The “Bill Collector” is still a charter boat on the Morehead City Waterfront.

Ben loved chasing cobia in the sound, sheepshead under the Atlantic Beach Bridge, and trout at his home in Spooners Creek.

• September 27, 1951 - April 28, 2023 • August 25, 1941 – June 21, 2023

Jimmy Adams and his brother Billy were avid fishermen and Big Rock competitors in the 1980’s and 90’s. Jimmy grew up in Willow Spring, NC, was a resident of Suffolk, VA, and spent many summers on the coast at 8-1/2 Marina Village in Atlantic Beach, NC. The Adams boys fished extensively aboard Southern Comfort, the name on their succession of family offshore fishing boats from Bertram, Viking, and Ocean Yachts.

Professionally, Jimmy started AMADAS Industries which grew to an international company building the worlds best peanut harvest systems which include self-propelled combines, pull-type combines, diggers, lifters, and dump carts. Today, AMADAS is run by his son Jimmy Adams junior.

Southern Comfort was a regular in the Big Rock, but also fished the Bahamas, from Alabama to New York in the International Billfish League, and Billfish Tournaments in Cape Fear, Pirates Cove, and Virginia Beach. Jimmy instilled a love of the outdoors and blue water in his family who are avid boaters and still love offshore fishing. “Magnolia, Marlin, Mint Juleps”.

Guthrie

• Sept 10, 1954 – December 1, 2023

On December 1st, 2023, we lost Mike “Mikey G” Guthrie to a term inal illness.

He was a legendary fixture in the fishing community and a friend to all. He was a highly respected captain and fisherman, lifelong passions he was fortunate to participate in until the very end. He was rare combin ation of grit, humor, witty comebacks, and dedication. To know him was to love him.

Big Rock week was his favorite time of year. The adrenaline, ex citement, and fishing with those closest to him was the perfect combinati on, like captain, coke, and a little lime.

Left in his wake, many still mourn, but he would want to us to carry a lighter heart, remembering the good times. Keep him alive throu gh stories and in memory.

We know the bite is hot up there in heaven and he’s surely spen ding his days backing down on blue marlin surrounded by the Big Rock legends that we all remember so fondly.

Susan was a 1969 graduate of Glebe Acres High School. She was an avid equestrian and spent most of her career and free time working with horses. She participated in horse shows and rode with Casanova Hunt. She was a talented photographer and successfully ran Winning Photos for many years.

Later in life, she found another passion for fishing. She traveled the world looking for the next big catch. She competed in many deep-sea fishing tournaments including KWLA and the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Susan always fished KWLA with past sponsor Diane Locke on the O’Lucky Me and later on various other charters.

Her excitement to be in Morehead City and her enthusiasm for fishing with her dear friends was evident to all.

Ted Lewis

• November 17,1972 – November 19, 2023

Teddy was born into a photographic family. His grandfather, Re g Lewis Sr., was a waterfront photographer from the early 1940s to the late 1980s and had a great influence on his future career. Teddy’s grandfather was one of the first to photograph images of the Big Rock Tournament.

At a young age, Teddy spent a lot of time with his grandfather photographing the fish catches. Most of the time they were at Ottis’s Fishho use where the Big Rock Landing is today and his love for the Big Rock Tournam ent was born. Teddy went on to capture his own moments as the tournament photographer for many years.

Beyond his professional career, Ted found solace and exhilarati on in the water. Whether surfing the waves or diving into the depths, he reveled in the freedom and serenity of the ocean.

This love for the water became an integral part of his life and shaped him into the adventurous, spirited individual he was known to be.

Mary Susan Coleman

Jimmy Adams

Mike

POWERING THE CAROLINAS

Welcome to the North Carolina Billfish Series!

The seven NC Billfish Series tournaments have teamed up with weigh masters Randy Gregory and George Lott to recognize and award the best tournament boats and anglers in North Carolina. The mission of the NC Billfish Series is to promote North Carolina’s billfish tournaments, sportsmanship, marine conservation and competition in our world renown offshore fishery.

Competing boats will be awarded points for billfish released or landed in the NC Billfish Series tournaments with trophies for the overall winner, top private boat, and top charter boat for the best three out of eight tournaments plus points for participating in each tournament. Trophies will be awarded for the largest blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, dolphin and wahoo. A “special” award will be given to the boat with most total points (total points awarded for all tournaments) and individual awards will be given for outstanding junior boy, junior girl and lady angler.

The NC Billfish Series looks forward to sharing the 2024 tournament fishing year with up to date scoring through our website and social media posts. At the conclusion of each event, scores and significant catches will be posted keeping boats and anglers informed of the standings and tournament action.

The NC Billfish Series registration is open and we look forward to a great year!

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Keli, who lost her battle with cancer in October 2008, was instrumental in having proceeds from the ladies tournament donated to the Carteret Health Care Cancer Center, specifically for patient comfort and care.

Carteret Health Care in Morehead City offers a comprehensive range of oncology services, including state-of- the-art treatments, to meet the needs of patients and their caregivers.

365 DAYS OF CARE AND COMFORT:

KWLA Charity Mission

After opening the new comprehensive multidisciplinary community Cancer Center in 2015, Carteret Health Care (CHC) continues to enhance the oncology services offered in the region. Exciting new phases of growth include offering a specialized new technology for radiation and breast cancer patients to aid in their healing and battle with cancer. These, combined with Carteret’s new clinical collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Care Network, means CHC oncologists can work directly with Mayo Clinic’s top specialists at any time so patients can confidently choose the best path for getting well and staying well.

Through the generous support of the KWLA Tournament, the journey for cancer patients is made lighter. Patients have appreciated the silencing earphones during their chemotherapy treatments, relaxed during complimentary massage therapy and escaped into the beautiful artwork that decorates the Cancer Center walls. Caregivers can recharge in the meditation garden while getting fresh air and sunshine.

Additionally, over 2,000 patients and caregivers have enjoyed creating art in painting and pottery classes. The Lady Anglers, through the Big Rock’s Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament, truly make a diffference by providing those comfort items and enriching the cancer journey for patients and families.

The kindness that the KWLA Tournament shows to cancer patients is hard to measure. When a patient is first diagnosed, it is hard to comprehend all of the details and changes that are coming at them. Nurse Navigators guide them during this time by providing support and answering questions as well as providing necessary items purchased with the KWLA funds to get them started in this journey. Simple things such as calendars to record their symptoms, their many appointments and note recording reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Carteret Heath Care

The record-breaking 26th Annual Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament boasted 266 boats. An estimated 1,500 lady anglers competed for their piece of the $396,100 purse.

TOURNAMENT RECAP:

2023 KWLA Winners

GRAND SLAM won the tournament with 2 blue marlin and 1 sailfish release worth 825 pts and $131,537! 2nd Place went to WELDOR’S ARK for releasing 2 blue marlin and weighing a tiebreaking 9.8 lb dolphin earning them $30,727. MAGIC MOMENT took 3rd place worth an impressive $20,485 for releasing 2 blue marlin both caught by junior anglers.

SEA WOLF captured Level II: Dolphin WTA (sponsored by Parker Boats), for a payday of $131,407 for their 50.7 lb dolphin. LADY DIANNE’S 37.6 lb dolphin landed in second place earning the team $13,655. MAMA TRIED brought a massive 41.9 lb wahoo to the weigh station, earning the team $20,482. SAVANNA LEIGH didn’t go home empty-handed, their 22.1 lb wahoo was worth $13,655.

Mary Michael McLamb claimed the Jr. Angler release division for releasing her first Blue Marlin aboard MAGIC MOMENT Brice McClendon won the Jr. Angler dolphin division with a 15.8 lb dolphin caught on MARSH MADNESS. The 266 boats racked up 51 releases – 38 Blue Marlin, 11 Sailfish and 2 White Marlin! WAY TO GO, GIRLS!!

• 38 Special

• A&M Tower services

• Accordingly IV

• Alaina Lynn

• Ali-Kat Too

• All Ways Wet

• American Lady

• Annie C

• Annie O

• April Mae

• Arborsea

• Ashley Lauren

• Autreel

• Baby J

• Bad Crop

• Bad Formula

• Bankwalker

• Barbara Ann

• Beagle

• BedRock

• Bench Mark

• Big Eye

• Big Rig

• Big Trouble

• Bill Collector

• Bizzy B

• Blue Water

• Blueprint

• Bobcat

• Bow Movement

• Braggin’ Rights

• Breakwater

• Brown Eyed Girl

• Buddy Rowe

• Builder’s Choice

• C Escape

• C-Phase

• C-Student

• Can Do Too

• Capt Stacy

• Carolina Lady

• Carolina Pirate

• Carolina Time

• Carterican

• Checkin In

• Collinsick

• Counter CurrenSea

• Dancin' Outlaw

• Daniel Lee

• Demolished Profits

• Desperado

• Developin' Habits

• Diamond Girl

• Dirty D

• Doc Fees

• Done Deal

• Dorothy Marie

• Double B

• Double Down

• Double ZZ

• Dream Chaser II

• Drifter Sportfishing

• Due South

• Dun-Rite

• El Azul

• Enough

• Eye Catcher

• Eye Roller

• EZ Boy

• Fender Bender

• Fin Chaser

• First Look

• First Love

• Fish Whisperer

• Fly N Fish

• Following Seas

• Free Ranger

• Full Circle

• Full Cry

• Gain Time

• Gale Anne

• Game Changer

• Gamekeeper

• Genetic Disorder

• Getnit

• Gettin Reel

• Good Times

• Goombay

• Grand Slam

• Greasy Money

• Hammer Time

• Hang’N On

• Haphazard

• Haulin’ Gass

• High Octane

• High Roller

• High Time

• High Yield

• Hit N Run

• Hook Ready

• Impatience

• INspiration

• Instigator

• Irene

• Iron Leader

• Island Girl

• Ivy Grace

• J & B

• Jack Em Up

• Job Site

• Johnie Floyd

• Kilo Charlie

• Knot Done

BEST DRESSED CONTEST

The Best Dressed Contest is a fun and fabulous tradition that takes place the day before the KWLA Tournament. Every year the ladies’ event is charged with suspense, waiting to see what themes the angler fashionistas have chosen. As you can see from these pictures, judging is not an easy task! In 2023, the lady anglers showed great creativity and spirit, and that is what makes this event a favorite year after year.

KWLA BY THE NUMBERS

CATCHING INSPIRATION

CALLIE COLLINS RHYNE

Callie Rhyne has spent her entire life in Eastern North Carolina and a large portion of that time around boats. Her mixed-media art piece “Catching Inspiration” was inspired by a photograph Callie took while watching the fleet run out during the 62nd Annual Big Rock Tournament. Callie, a frequent lady angler, appreciates the vivid colors of a Blue Marlin in action but wanted to create a piece with a more feminine palate and a nod towards her love of boating. When she’s not

or painting, she is busy running her interior design business for clients across the state!

LADY DIANNE • BOOBIES & BUBBLES HIT N RUN • COOKING FOR A CURE

CAPT. STACY • BANDING TOGETHER

SENSATION • SASEAME

DEVELOPIN’ HABITS • PURSE MONEY

CARTERICAN • MATERIAL GIRLS

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When billfish competitors begin to register for the 66th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, they take their first step toward winning part of the richest blue marlin tournament purse on record. That’s quite a change from the original Big Rock prize: a child’s red wagon filled with silver dollars.

To understand this transition, you need to travel back in time to the spring of 1957. Back then, no one was certain that billfish even existed in the waters off the North Carolina coast. The commercial fishermen who had worked our coastal waters for generations seldom ventured beyond sight of the coastline, and not one of them had ever seen one of these fish.

THE

Sailors on the commercial freighters traveling in and out Port of Morehead City insisted they’d seen blue marlin not too far offshore, but most locals dismissed this as “bar talk.’’ The deck hands didn’t know exactly where they were at the time of the sightings, plus blue marlin skeletons never washed up on the beach.

Still … the rumors persisted.

A few wishful thinkers hoped the stories were true. Bob and Mary Simpson, Bill Strickland, Tom Potter, and Dick Parker decided to settle the issue once and for all. Together they created the Fabulous Fisherman’s Club—a loose-knit organization of Morehead City fishing enthusiasts. The club partnered with several local merchants and announced they would pay a cash prize to the first person who could catch a blue marlin in the waters just off the Crystal Coast. That cash prize did the trick.

Intended to promote deep sea fishing and to help support the area’s infant charter boat industry, it worked as intended, encouraging anglers and captains to head further offshore in pursuit of their prize.

Fishermen sighted blue marlin throughout that summer yet no one was able to land the beautiful, elusive fish. But summer failures gave way to autumn success. On September 14, 1957, Raleigh angler Jimmy Croy, fishing aboard the Mary Z with Captain K.W. “Bill’’ Olsen, landed a 143-pound blue marlin.

It forever changed the face of Crystal Coast fishing. Sound the sirens!

Before the fish ever reached shore, Captain Olsen had radioed Bump Styron at the Morehead City Yacht Basin to report the historic catch. Styron, in turn, notified Bob Campbell—WMBL-AM Radio’s “Voice of Fishing’’—and he got the word out to the public. Soon, a crowd of about a hundred had gathered at the yacht basin, waiting.

In the meantime, Tony Seamon and his son Tony Junior went to First Citizens Bank, where bank president Jim Bob Sanders kept a sealed sack of silver dollars. Tony Junior counted out the prize money and

poured the coins into a little red wagon donated just moments before by the manager at Rose’s department store. Then, accompanied by police sirens, car horns, and as much vocal ruckus as could be mustered, the red wagon made its way through the streets of Morehead City to the dock.

Reports on the amount of the first cash prize vary from $250 to $500. Confusion as to the amount of that first prize exists to this day. Since nobody knew what the Big Rock would become, nobody kept accurate records. Prizes now are hitting the million dollar range.

It was the first celebration of what would become the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, an event that now brings thousands to the waterfront each June.

A picture of that famous first marlin appeared in the September 17, 1957, edition of the Carteret County News-Times. The event merited just three paragraphs on an inside page—no other pictures of the fish are known to exist.

QUIET BEGINNINGS

In the early years, the Big Rock could barely be considered a tournament. There were no rules of consequence, and only a few boats participated. When prizes became part of the affair, the total booty looked like the results of a scavenger hunt. In 1965, a listing of the prizes included a quart of varnish.

Limitations were few. Generally speaking, a member of the Fabulous Fisherman Club won the Big Rock if he docked the first blue of the season before the November 1 cutoff date.

Tournament growth was slow. In 1958, George Bedsworth, captain of the Dolphin, pocketed a $325 prize. It would take years for the tournament to grow into the giant that is now known as the Big Rock.

In 1960 and 1961, “Fab Fishermen’’ didn’t even recognize previous efforts. The 1960 event—won by angler Carroll Williams of Petersburg, VA, aboard the Bunny Too captained by Arthur Lewis of Morehead

City—featured a special Pfleuger trophy provided by world-renowned taxidermist Al Pfleuger of Miami. Pfleuger would continue to mount the winning Big Rock fish for the next several years.

The 1963 tournament, and the one that immediately followed, sought to find out who could boat the most blue marlin. The ’63 tournament concluded with 64 blue marlin brought to the scales.

This huge number of blue marlin makes it hard to imagine that only six years before, no one had ever caught a blue marlin off the Carteret County coast. In fact, Croy’s catch on the Mary Z was something that came about quite by accident. The only reason the Mary Z was out in 50 fathoms of water that day was because Captain Olsen was giving the Mary Z its first test in ocean waters. He had just finished building it and took Croy as his party that day to show him the warm offshore waters of the Gulf Stream.

Once there, Croy had the experience of a lifetime. After a 38-minute battle, the area’s first blue marlin was landed. (Olsen had jokingly bragged he would catch the first marlin only days before this test run.) He celebrated the catch late into the night with several of his Fabulous Fisherman’s Club friends. But nobody in the raucous group had any idea what was about to come.

GEOMETRIC CHANGES

From humble beginnings — a simple challenge to catch the first blue marlin — the event grew into an annual contest. Year after year, the event became more structured as new rules were added. The “Fabulous Fisherman’s Blue Marlin Tournament’’ was renamed the “Big Rock’’ in 1972 because that was the spot in the Gulf Stream where everyone went to fish. After a dozen years, entries in the tournament began to grow. The handful of boats during the early years led to 35 boats in 1970. The tournament topped 111 boats in 1979 and a record breaking 271 boats in 2023.

The Big Rock currently averages 250 boats and nearly 1,600 competitors. Cash prizes have grown by leaps and bounds. In 1974, the winning boat received just $800. Ten years later, the purse nearly reached $70,000. Big Rock fans were thrilled when the 1988 purse topped $90,800. The total purse has averaged $4.53 million over the last five years, with a record breaking purse of $5.86 million in 2022.

That total is dwarfed by the $10 million the Big Rock Foundation has donated to local charities. Entry fees have changed dramatically as well.

A $25 tournament charge was all that was required early on. As late as 1973, inclusion in the tourney cost only $75.

But as the prize money grew, so did entry fees. To enter Level I, Level II and Level III in the 1993 tournament, anglers needed to pay $2,200 to tournament officials. The entry fee (for all levels) in 2021 was $27,500 — which exceeds the combined total purses of the first 15 Big Rocks!

FOCUS ON CONSERVATION

Over the years, the annual competition has changed its name, altered its format, adjusted its sponsorship, and modified its rules. The Big Rock Board of Directors continues to fine-tune the event to ensure the tournament always represents good times and great fishing.

A strong focus on conservation has remained a primary concern for more than a decade. Twenty-four years ago, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament’s Board of Directors raised the minimum weight limit to land a blue marlin from 200 to 400 pounds (200 pounds above regulations set by the federal government in 1998).

Tournament rules adopted in 1997 require Big Rock anglers to release all blue marlin that do not weigh morethan 400 pounds or measure at least 110 inches in length. The tournament rewards boats with release points.

Marine biologists from the NC State University Center for Marine Science and Technology (CMAST) take charge of weighed-in blue marlin for study and research, and take samples of all gamefish.

Proceeds from every Big Rock tournament are donated to support organizations that are dedicated to helping pelagic species flourish. In 2021, Big Rock partnered with the International Gamefish Association (IGFA) to deploy satellite tags on blue marlin off East Coast for the first time. Lo Que Sea tagged a blue marlin which traveled 5,196 nm. That satellite tag is potentially the longest blue marlin track ever collected by the IGFA and the second-longest track of all time for any billfish species.

GOING GLOBAL

The Big Rock now attracts competitors from all around the world. In recent years, anglers from 22 states and three international teams have participated. Winning the Big Rock has become the focus of many top billfish competitors.

HEROES ON BOARD

Of course no one would have the freedom to fish if it weren’t for the brave men and women who serve our country. During the 60th annual tournament, the Big Rock Big Hero program was born. Since its inception, the initiative has placed active duty servicemembers with

BIG ROCK

world-renowned crews and captains. In its inaugural year, USMC Col. T.J. “Bucket” Dunne was invited to fish aboard Fender Bender on the last day of the tournament. He released one blue marlin but was quickly told to “sit back down.” After an hour fight, Bucket boated the 514.3-pound fish to take second place in the entire tournament!

LADY ANGLERS

While many people consider blue marlin fishing a “man’s sport,” it is the ladies who have dominated the headlines. In 1993, Kathy Keel of Edenton landed a 759-pound blue marlin to win the 35th annual Big Rock. She held the all-time Big Rock record until 2000, when Ron Wallschlager of Kiawah Island, SC, reeled in an 831-pounder. That record was shattered in 2019 when Todd Dickerson of Fenwick Island, DE, weighed in a 914-pound monster on the last day of the 61st annual tournament. To this day, Kathy’s catch remains one of the top three fish to ever hit Big Rock’s scales.

In 2005, Gigi Wagoner of Fredrick, MD, became the fourth woman to win the Big Rock. Fishing aboard the Ocean City-based charter boat Size Matters, Wagoner reeled in a 529-pounder. Anglers like Keel and Wagoner were the inspiration behind the 1998 creation of a one-day, ladies-only tournament that serves to introduce women to sportfishing. In 2023, the twenty-sixth annual Keli Wagner Lady Angler (KWLA) Tournament drew a record 266 boats. Nearly 1,600 competitors battled for prize money in gamefish and billfish release divisions. Since its inception, the KWLA event has raised more than $450,000 for charity.

PASSING THE TORCH

The Big Rock tournament has long recognized young anglers who compete alongside seasoned deep sea fishing veterans during the week-long event. The tournament rewards Junior Anglers for top gamefish weighed in and overall release points.

In 2019, Junior Angler Michael Cripe earned the crew of Job Site a whopping $368,250 for his 53.7-pound dolphin!

Promoting sportfishing and marine education throughout the state of North Carolina has remained a top priority for the tournament. So the board of directors voted unanimously to add the Big Rock Kids Billfish

Tournament to their schedule for 2021. The kids tournament is the first of its kind, rewarding Junior Anglers an extra 25 points for each billfish released. The primary purpose of the tournament is to raise additional funds for children’s charities. In 2023, the Big Rock Kids Tournament hosted 73 boats and boasted a $176,225 purse for it’s 3rd Annual event. Within three days of fishing, Jr. Anglers released 220 billfish!

CYBERCAST COVERAGE

Big Rock fans have enjoyed outstanding tournament coverage, following the offshore action on the tournament’s website, social media, and the Big Rock app. Competition updates are provided just seconds after a hookup is reported to tournament headquarters. You can even listen to the radio live via the Big Rock website.

Big Rock board member Randy Ramsey mans the radio from the early morning hours ’til the last fish has hit the scales daily. One of the spectators’ favorite traditions is his blessing of the fleet, done every morning, inspired by Captain Omie Tillet.

Weigh-ins and exclusive interviews are captured by Big Rock TV, started in 2008. Big Rock TV has now become an international sensation, with over two million viewers in more than 71 countries in 2021.

INTO THE FUTURE

Who could predict the amazing growth of the Big Rock Tournament? What developments will carry the tourney into the next century? Perhaps the event will span two weeks, as it did in its infancy. Perhaps special instruments will be invented that have the ability to measure the size of a blue marlin through radio telemetry so that boating these fish becomes a thing of the past. Only time will tell.

Since some people already call the Big Rock the “Super Bowl of Fishing,’’ perhaps others will begin to call that late-January football game the “Big Rock of Football.”

Whatever happens, it’s been a wild and wonderful journey. And it all began a little more than 64 years ago when Jimmy Croy and Bill Olsen hooked a very special 143-pound fish.

THE PAST WINNERS OF THE

BIG ROCK TOURNAMENT

1957 | MARY Z 143.5 Lbs. Jimmy Croy | LaGrange, NC ** First Marlin Landed Off Morehead City

1958 | DOLPHIN 428.5 Lbs. C.L. Safrit Salisbury, NC

1959 | BUNNY TOO | 397.25 Lbs. J.D. Rivers | Durham, NC

1960 BUNNY TOO 390.5 Lbs. Carroll Williams Petersburg, VA ** First Fabulous Fisherman's BM Tourn.

1961 | TOM N’JERRY 474.5 Lbs. J. Duckett, W. Turner Cherry Point, NC

1962 | SEA HAG 487 Lbs. Dr. Leroy Allen Raleigh, NC

1963 | BOLO JR. 420 Lbs. Calvin Koonce Raleigh, NC

1964 DOLPHIN | 427 Lbs. Curt Seifart Charlotte, NC

1965 | NO FISH No fish landed during tournamant

1966 | BUNNY TOO | 245 Lbs. Ivan Mercer Charleston, SC

1967 | DOLPHIN 350 Lbs. Rufus English Lynchburg, VA

1968 RED SNAPPER 538 Lbs. Jerry Fulford Washington, NC

1969 | DOLPHIN 1 495 Lbs. Leland Pribble Madison Heights, VA

1970 | REEL KING | 476 Lbs. “Bump” Styron Morehead City, NC

1971 | ALPHA D’AMOUR 377 Lbs. Carroll Ballou | Morehead City, NC

1972 | WAHOO | 487 Lbs. Lance Harris | Springfield, VA

1973 | SEA TRAMP 530.5 Lbs. John Waldin Charlotte, NC

1974 | C’EST LA VIE 452 Lbs. L.B. Britton, Jr. Ahoskie, NC

1975 | YELLOW BIRD IV 481.5 Lbs. Richard Miller | Rumson, NJ

1976 | RESTLESS V 575 Lbs. Bob Donovan Rockville, MD

1977 | SEA BUSTER 636 Lbs. Rusty Cutshaw | Morehead City, NC

1978 | KELLY BEAN | 604 Lbs. Mark Mason Greensboro, NC

1979 | SEA MINT 376 Lbs. Jim O’Daiell Wilmington, NC

1980 JET STREAM |

Lbs. Margaret Adams Winston-Salem, NC ** First Woman Champion 1981 FLYING FISH |

Lbs. Tom Barnes Wilson, NC

| MARLIN DARLIN 398.25 Lbs. T. Teeter Morehead City, NC

1983 | PROMISES

THE BIG ROCK

7991 Beasley Road

Whitakers, NC 27891 (252)

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Operation Resolute wishes to thank the owners and captains of the boats listed on the right. This group generously supports our nation’s warriors by partnering with OR’s annual May fishing event to provide a unique offshore fishing experience. What started with Accordlngly IV has grown to over a dozen boats, and the leadership of OR is grateful to everyone who has leaned into our mission to serve those who sacrifice.

WE SERVE CHAPLAINS. WE SUSTAIN FAMILIES. WE STRENGTHEN WARRIORS.

Operation Resolute® is a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina that is dedicated to sustaining and strengthening families within the US Armed Forces by serving with and working through military chaplains.

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Best of luck to all the Mercury-powered anglers at the 2023 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

They say lightning never strikes the same place twice, but Jarrett Bay is back again with a 5th custom battlewagon delivered to three generations of the same sportfishing family.

PHOTO: LUKE PEARSON