50th Anniversary Historical

Director’s Letter

D

uring my research for the historical section of this year’s program, I found a wonderful statement that was written in 1979 by the tournament committee about their dedication to Capt. Hubert Fulcher. “The Big Rock exists because of people like Capt. Fulcher……

They were imaginative in concept, devoted in purpose, and bold in action.”

I just loved this because to me it really represented the fifty years of commitment by so many volunteers, local citizens, businessmen, charter captains and anglers that have dedicated their time in making the Big Rock Tournament successful.

It is something you know in your heart but it really strikes a chord when you read the early 1960’s editions of the local paper and see ads from businesses welcoming anglers, offering fishermen discounts, and all the locals who were out there so strongly supporting the tournament in its infancy.

This is still true today as the entire community has gathered around the tournament to celebrate its 50th Anniversary event. The fact is, everyone involved in making the tournament a success has a real passion for Big Rock and the many worthy organizations it supports. The Big Rock is truly blessed to welcome back the many volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and retailers as we look forward to the 50th annual celebration and beyond.

The past achievements are truly evident in the many new fishing tournaments that have been spawned from Big Rock’s success. This new crop of events will bring even more needed tourism dollars to Carteret County’s economy.

Most of the information on the following pages was gleaned from the Carteret County News-Times reports of each tournament year. I would like to personally thank Walter Phillips for giving us the permission to use these articles.

Without them, most of the history would have been lost. The rest was based on board minutes (sketchy at best in the early years) and eyewitness reports by those who participated.

With that said, this is my official disclaimer- If something or someone was left out, I sincerely apologize. I hope you will help me with the details and I promise we will continue to update this historical data until we get it right.

CRYSTAL WATTERS Tournament Director director@thebigrock.com

My first year as tournament director, our lunch was “catered” at the mobile office by Blossom Bennett who showed up unannounced with turkey sandwiches, a banana, and chocolate chip cookie for each of the staff. Every year since then, she has quietly called me just before the tournament and offered a quick prayer for the tournaments success and the participant’s safety. Her small remembrance is one of those special things about being involved with Big Rock.

2 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Acknowledgements The first big “Thank You” goes to Rowanne Robertson for the many hours spent working on this year’s special 50th edition Big Rock Program. Her beautiful graphic design brings the publication to life and sets the standard for would be imitators.

This commemorative program also would not have been possible without the following help of our friends, Big Rock anglers and their families:

Barb Backman Bill Blount Captain Dale Britt Capt. Johnnie L. Brown Karla Olsen Brown Carteret County News-Times Linda Styron Cornwall Rusty Cutshaw The Fabulous Fisherette’s Club Sid Gold Randy Gregory Denard Harris Jason F. Hawkins Jim Henderson Adrian Holler Reginald Lewis Dawn Newsom Bill O’Brien Bruce Paul Bob Simpson David Styron Tom and Jerry Talton

THE 50TH ANNUAL BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT P.O. Box 1673, Morehead City, NC 28557 Phone 252-247-3575 • Fax 252-247-2392 Tournament Headquarters: Big Rock Landing upstairs 405 Evans St., Morehead City, NC 28557

PUBLISHER The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament LAYOUT & GRAPHICS Rowanne Robertson PHOTOGRAPHY Rosemary Green, Ronnie Boone Crystal Watters, Rowanne Robertson, Bob Simpson, Carteret County News-Times CONTRIBUTORS Crystal Watters, Bruce Paul, Bob Simpson Carteret County News-Times BIG ROCK BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tom Bennett, President Casey Wagner, Vice President Richard Crowe, Secretary Joy Bell, Treasurer Jim Bailey Howard Basnight Roger Crowe Dew Forbes Jack Jordan Billy Kornegay Carol Lohr Ben Moore Lonnie Poole Randy Ramsey Curtis Strange Mike Thompson TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR Crystal Watters TOURNAMENT ASSISTANT Rowanne Robertson

Nancy Toothman Casey Wagner

PRINTING NCCOAST Communications

Lynn Ward David Wood Captain Thomas Wood

Copyright ©2008. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. All rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial, photography or any other content in whole or part without prior written permission is prohibited. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament assumes no responsibility for the advertisements, or any representation made therein.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 3

1956-1957 In late April 1956, a group representing sportsfishing and related businesses met in Capt. Bill’s Restaurant in off a sseries tthe he ffirst irst o erie of organizational meetings. ht with Olsen, rig Capt. Bill ed mate. unidentifi

T

om Potter, Jerry Schumacher, Bob Simpson and James Macy, Jr. were elected president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, respectively. (See Bob’s article on page 47)

The Fabulous Fishing Club was formed.

In their efforts to promote deep-sea fishing off Morehead City’s coast, this group of businessmen decided to offer local captains a cash prize to land the elusive blue marlin.

This cash prize encouraged local captains to head further offshore than they had ever been before to prove these fish could be caught in local waters.

Though there were sightings of blue marlin, no one was able to catch the beautiful fish that summer.

However, on September 14, 1957, Jimmy Croy of Raleigh landed the first blue marlin ever taken by a boat fishing out of Morehead City.

Croy was aboard the private boat, Mary Z, with Capt. Bill Olsen. The fish was taken off the 50-fathom curve and took 38 minutes to land.

The “Mary Z”, a 52-ft. built at Williston, NC, Sport Fisherman was and its home port was Morehead City.

“Up to 1956, we had never caught any marlin. lin. li n. ite it The first marlin ever caught here was a white marlin from a boat operated by George Bedsworth (“Little George”) of Morehead City. Then a blue marlin drifted up on the beach. This was 1956. We had been talking about marlin and I was convinced there were blue marlin off here.”

-Bob Simpson 4 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary rssaary ry

The blue marlin was brought to the Morehead City Yacht Basin where it was weighed and photographed. Since no one had ever dealt with this type of fish, it was tied up by the bill instead of the tail. The marlin weighed in at 143.5 pounds and was 8 feet 5 inches long.

According to Bob Simpson, before the formal awards celebration, Tony Seaman made arrangements through First Citizens Bank to have real silver dollars shipped up from Atlanta. On the night of the celebration held at the Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant, using a little red wagon donated by Rose’s Department Stores, a total of $350 real silver dollars was ceremoniously presented to Bill Olsen, as “the skipper of the first boat to bring a blue marlin to the Morehead docks.”

Though T Th h hou ough ou gh tthe amount seems to differ based on who tells tthe th he sstory, this historical catch won a cash prize for Bill Olsen. The prize was promoted by Tom B Potter, Fabulous Fishermen President, and was made up by about a dozen businessmen and sportsfishermen.

Capt. Bill Olsen and angler Jimmy Croy with the first blue marlin off the coast of Morehead City.

The official emblem of the Fabulous Fishermen was approved for use on stationery, flags, membership cards and certificates. Official weigh stations were also approved at Capt. Bill’s Waterfront Restaurant, B. J. White’s Fishing Camp on the causeway, and Sonny’s Fishing Station in Atlantic Beach. Bob Simpson, B. J. White and C.D. “Sonny” Chambers were crowned as the first weigh masters.

Editor’s Note: Rowanne Robertson, the current Big Rock Tournament assistant, is B. J. White’s granddaughter. Rowanne has designed the Big Rock program for over 15 years and is very loyal to the tournament. She was unaware her grandfather was one of the first weigh masters until we began digging through articles for this year’s 50th Anniversary program.

1ST MARLIN

Irene an d

B.J. Whit e

1957

143.5 pounds MARY Z Jimmy Croy LaGrange, NC

The Th T he Big Big Rock Bi Rock Ro ck Blue Bllu ue Marlin Maarl M rliin rlin n Tournament Toou u 50th Anniversary 5

1958

The year Big Rock credits for the beginning of the fishing tournament.

I

n 1958, the year Big Rock credits for the beginning of the fishing tournament, 28 blue marlin were landed from May 25th until mid June. The cash prize was $200.00. Barbara Jessop Fremont was Morehead City’s first Blue Marlin Queen and is pictured here with 5 blue marlin brought in by Capt. George Bedsworth’s Dolphin over the course of three days.

worth Capt. George Beds

WINNER

1958

428.5 pounds DOLPHIN C.L. Safrit Salisbury, NC

1959

R

aymond Duke, manager at Sportsman’s Pier, was president. Approximately 30 trophies were given during the tournament. Each trophy winner was given a number, and at the end of the Award’s Banquet, those numbers were drawn for a $2000 outboard motor.

WINNER

During this fishing season it was reported that 98 blue marlin were caught from Morehead City, Marshallberg and Harkers Island which was more marlin than caught at any port on the east coast, including Hatteras. The heaviest competition during this season was between two Morehead City boats - Dolphin, captained by George Bedsworth, and Bunny Too, captained by Arthur Lewis. They tied with 27 blue marlin each for the 1959 fishing season.

1

397.25 pounds BUNNY TOO J.D. Rivers Durham, NC

1959

1958 First Blue Marlin Queen

First “tournament” held George Bedsworth’s Dolphin brings in five blue marlin during tournament

6 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Tournament winners draw for a outboard motor as prize

1959

98 blue marlin caught in fishing season exceeding Hatteras landings

1960

Ken Ne wsom

B

y some records 1960 claimed the title as the “first st tournament” held. The format was totally open, described as a “free for all.” The tournament stats ts states: “On the first morning two marlin were caught and it rained the rest of the week.”

Ken Newsom was elected president of the Fabulous ed Fisherman’s Club and served for three yyears. He also served ear ars. s. as weigh master for many of the early yye years.

WINNER

1960

390.5 pounds BUNNY TOO Carroll Williams Petersburg, VA

1961

I

n 1961 the rules were modified to basically IGFA rules standards.

Approximately 15 boats entered the tournament. In one day, 11 blue marlin were caught. Weather played a factor, and four out of the five days were cancelled. M/Sgt. Jack Duckett and Lt. Col W. W. Turner, Cherry Point Air Station, shared the spotlight to win with a 474 blue marlin aboard Tom N’ Jerry owned by Tom Talton. With one exception, all marlin weighed in over 300 lbs. The winning three fish were caught on the fifth day of the tournament.

WINNER

1961

474.5 pounds TOM N’ JERRY J. Duckett/W. Turner Cherry Point, NC

1960

1961 15 boats entered event

Open “free for all” tournament Ken Newsom was elected president of the Fabulous Fisherman’s Club

IGFA rules adopted for tournament The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 7

1962

22 boats entered the tournament in 1962

B

ob Simpson of the Fabulous Fishermen helped produce a film titled “Blue Marlin Thinking.” The film’s name changed to “Marlin on the Mind” with five copies made of the film, two of which were sent to Jim Thomas, an outdoor editor for WGN, Chicago IL. The film was heralded as “a magnificent film” and shown in several television markets including Dallas, Houston, Austin, Corpus Christi, Lubbock and Lawton, OH. Though fishing clubs and television stations throughout the U.S. requested copies, the club could not raise enough funds to reproduce copies of the film.

This same year on June 11, 1962, angler Gary Stukes of Morristown, N.J., fishing with Capt. Bill Foster aboard the boat Albatross II, caught a 810 pound blue marlin on 130 lb. line class to set a new IGFA world record. This fish was caught off the coast of Cape Hatteras.

The winner was the big local news story that year. The following is an article from the June 3, 1983 issue of the Carteret County News-Times recalling the famous catch.

Dr. Allen Wins Solo Two hands hanging onto a pole are rarely enough to catch a marlin. Usually the feat is the result of teamwork, with one crew member steering the boat and others helping gaff the fish or haul it in.

“If you’re the only one on the boat, then you can say you caught it yourself,” said Bill Schlegel of Anchorage Marina, Morehead City.

Dr. Leroy Allen of Raleigh not only caught one himself, he won the 1962 blue marlin tournament WINNER 1962 (sponsored back then by the Fabulous Fishing Club of Morehead City) with his single-handed catch of a 487 pound marlin.

487 pounds Dr. Allen was fishing from an outboard near the Big Rock fairly early in the tournament when he SEA HAG caught the winner.

Dr. Leroy Allen He fought the fish for two hours, and when he got it to the boat, he couldn’t load the fish in, so Raleigh, NC he towed it to the dock.

1963

T

he tournament’s momentum continued in 1963 as William Strickland presided over the Fabulous Fishing Club. Fishing was from sunrise to sundown and the entry fee was $25 per boat with a captain’s prize of $200-$500. No angler could win but received certificates. The annual prize offered by the Fabulous Fishing Club for blue marlin was a $50 U.S. Savings Bond. Linda Styron, daughter of “Bump” Styron, was crowned Marlin Festival Queen (pictured).

The tournament festivities ran one week prior to fishing and included skydiving, parades-land and boat, fish fry’s, variety shows, art show and sailboat races. Fishing was from June 3-8, 1963.

WINNER

420 pounds BOLO JR. Calvin Koonce Raleigh, NC

A total of 64 blue marlin were brought in during the tournament.

1963

1962

Fabulous Fishermen produce film “Marlin on the Mind” IGFA world record set with 810 pound blue marlin off of Hatteras

8 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

64 blue marlin brought in during season Entry fee was $25 per boat

1963

Fabulous Fisherette’s Club is formed $50 US Savings Bond offered as blue marlin prize

I

n March of 1963, a small group of women who wanted to be involved in the tournament organized their own club.

They were known as the Fabulous Fisherettes. These ladies organized the beauty pageant, helped with fundraising, and basically pitched in to shoulder most of the work to run the blue marlin tournament for the Fabulous Fishermen’s Club. A woman’s work is never done!

A total of 20 women attended the first meeting and it wasn’t long before the membership grew to 50. Gradually the women declined to 20, and that’s where they keep it today. In the earlier years, the group planned their own fishing trips to Shackleford Banks or Cape Lookout, but now the format is a little different.

Today this hearty group of 20 women gather once a month for breakfast and once a year for their fishing retreat on Atlantic Beach. Although the majority of members are over 80, they still enjoy getting together socially. Some of the newer members take fishing trips on the local charter boats during their week-long vacation.

tteess tte heerreettt he issh ish lous FFiis bulo Fabu The Fa Fa Fallll 2007

Mrs. Jack Foust lands 42 pound sailfish Sept. 16, 1953.

The Fabulous Fisherettes Fall 2007

The Fabulo at Shacklef us Fisherettes ord Banks

Photo by Dan W. Wade

Fabulous Fisherette’s Club

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 9

1964

Captains were awarded bonus points for releasing blue marlin to encourage conservation

I

n 1964 the Fabulous Fishermen started selling memberships to the club. Over one hundred memberships were sold at $1 each for individuals and $10 each for businesses. Though the amount raised was not reported, the final total was “quite an accomplishment.” The funds raised were used to host the marlin tournament and other fishing contests throughout the fishing season. The Fabulous Fishermen and their marlin tournament were beginning to make headlines and arouse interest in the area’s “vacation facilities.” David Willis, captain of the Willy Wica, was president and Billy Corey was the Blue Marlin Festival chairman.

The boats leading in points each day of the tournament were given a winner’s flag. This flag was awarded to the boat with the most points by marlin poundage and releases. The final winner would exchange the flag for a trophy at the end of the contest. The following year the previous year’s winner would carry the flag on the first day. For the first time, captains were awarded bonus points for releasing blue marlin to encourage conservation of the species.

The Miss Blue Marlin Pageant had 42 entrants with each having a sponsor.

Th he Mi M s B ss Entry was $5.00 and the competitions included Bermuda shorts and En Entr ntrry fe feee w evening eevven enin i g ggown. The Fabulous Fisherette’s chairperson, Mrs. Harry Salter, and an nd her her ggroup had planned a spectacular event in the Morehead City High Hiigh H h School Sch ch auditorium.

The Fishing Club decided that the traditional dunking in the Th he Fabulous Faab F water water wa ter was te w somewhat dangerous since it was done as soon as the boat was and so they built a wooden plank. The captains and mates waas inshore w iin ns bringing brin br nggiin in their first marlin would be made to walk the plank - willing iin ng or or unwilling. The plank walking took place behind Capt. Bill’s Restaurant which was the official weigh station at the time.

Rest Re stau st a au Rock R ck Ro ck Hardison, chairman of the credentials committee, arranged a Sunday Sund Su nd evening get together at the Jefferson Motor Lodge Restaurant nd for and captains. f r anglers fo a an

1964 $ Fabulous Fishermen begin selling memberships for $1

Bonus points for released fish are added to the tournament

DOLPHIN, captained

by Bill Williams, wins tournament

10 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

The tournament awards banquet was moved from the beach to Jefferson Lodge to encourage participation during the event.

Ten trophies were awarded for the following categories during the 1964 tournament: • Miss Blue Marlin • Two trophies for the sailboat races • Best float in the street parade • Largest blue marlin • 2nd and 3rd place men’s division • 1st place ladies division • Largest blue marlin brought in on 80 lb. test • Charterboat captain bringing in the most blue marlin

on, Jr. Tony Seam

Danny sakes o & Sammy Ba llou, na f charte ter boa ll t Sam ‘nmeDan

WINNER

1964

427 pounds DOLPHIN Curt Seifart Charlotte, NC The Th T he Big Biig Rock B Roock R ck Blue Bllu ue Marlin Maarrllin M in Tournament 50th Anniversary 11

No fish were landed during the tournament.

1965

M

any large blue marlin were landed in May prior to the June event including a 558 pound fish caught by Lionel Howard aboard the appropriate, Blue Marlin. Local captains believed this was a good indication for a spectacular tournament year.

The Fabulous Fisherettes were once again in charge of organizing the Miss Blue Marlin Beauty Pageant and other events as needed. Ken Newsom was given the task of selecting and purchasing the trophies for the winners. Morehead City artist, Charles McNeill was asked to stage a sidewalk art show to be held in conjunction with the tournament.

The Fabulous Fishermen gathered additional prizes for those participants weighing in blue marlin including; 100 gallons of gas donated by President, Bump Styron, a flying fish ash tray valued at $75, and a flying gaff donated by Pompanette of Hollywood, FL. Hatteras Yacht Company of High Point offered either their 41 foot Sport Fisherman’s Convertible or the famed Hatteras 50 as the press boat during the event. Willy Wica owner Bill Caldwell of Charlotte, NC, offered his boat on Tuesday as a TV and media vessel.

In May of 1965, The Carteret County News-Times claimed the tournament had become the county’s most effective promotional project. The article, written by Ken Newsom, attributed the success of the tournament to its open format with few rules or restrictions. It also cited the many benefits to the tourism industry and media exposure.

The tournament hosted 27 boats. The only reported sighting was by the Bunny Too on Monday of the event but “nary a marlin was seen” for the remaining days of the tournament.

Morehead City Mayor, George Dill, spoke to over 40 anglers on Saturday night stating “It had to happen sometime. Be glad it’s come and gone.” The mayor proclaimed the production as a success even without a marlin landed.

1966

I

van Mercer’s blue marlin weighing 245 pounds aboard the Bunny Too was the only fish weighed in and consequently won the 1966 tournament. Anglers went the full five days of the tournament without another blue marlin due to Hurricane Alma off the North Carolina Coast. Fishing was cancelled on Friday and Saturday due to the storm. Skipper Delmas Willis and his mate Bob Brown shared a $1000 prize. Thirty boats had entered the 1966 event with an entrance fee of $25 per boat.

1966 666

1965 No fish landed during the tournament.

Only one marlin caught due to Hurricane Alma

12 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

The Mako brought in a 260 lb. hammerhead ad shark

The catch was exciting for the crew of the Bunny Too. The boat reached the Big Rock at 7:30 am with 30 minutes to wait for fishing time. The lines were baited with Spanish mackerel and 12-0 hooks. Captain Willis described seeing the fish but not telling his anglers fearing they would alert nearby boats of a fish in the water. He trolled at less than two knots speed, circling the area where he had seen the fish.

The fish shot out of the water without warning and took the bait in one gulp. Once the angler set the hook, the blue marlin charged the boat several times while the captain gunned the engines to stay clear of the fish. The crew got the fish to the boat twice, and after a 20 minute fight, finally boarded their prize. Ivan had hooked marlin in the 1963 and 1964 tournaments but this was the first one he brought to the dock during the Fabulous Fishing Club’s tournaments.

Spectators lined the dock at the Morehead City Yacht Basin for a look at the fish which was said to be the most photographed fish to date. Once the weigh in was over, the mate, captain, angler and assistant dock master, James Hester, were thrown in the water.

The awards banquet was held at the Rex Restaurant in Morehead City with an Pictured above: Capt. Ottis Purifoy’s parade float. Pictured below: Ivan admission ticket price of $3.00. An amazing 40 trophies and cash awards were handed out for the final night. The largest of the awards offered by the Fabulous Mercer and his blue marlin.

Fishermen was the $1000 captain-mate award. This award had been $500 in 1965, and since no fish were landed that year, it carried over to the 1966 tourney. Among the awards given, Berea Rice, captain of the Hatteras 28 foot Sportsfishermen, was given a “sorest loser award” for running out of gas; a flying gaff donated by Pompanette was given to Ralph Horton, captain of the Sophini I, for the most persistent skipper; and the Carolina Queen received a trophy as the most original and unique entry in the water parade. The Fabulous Fisherettes president was awarded a special prize for their organizational effort during the tournament. The Fabulous Fishing Club also awarded trophy winners with 6/0 Penn Reels.

After the awards ceremony, officers installed were Rock Hardison, captain of the charter boat Rock-a-Long, president; Delmas Willis, vice-president, and Warren Mann, secretary/treasurer.

Events during the week included a singles tennis tournament, surfboarding contest, street dance, marathon foot race, crafts fair, a street parade and a beauty pageant where swim suits were worn for the first time.

Sidebar: June 5, 1966, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm Briefing sessions for boat captains and anglers on tournament rules and directions to marlin fishing grounds to be given in the Yacht Clubhouse. Morehead City Waterfront. Cocktail hour, same time, to be hosted by the Big Four Fishing Fleet.

Captain Otis Purifoy’s “Lucky 7” Fishing Fleet reported a record dolphin landing year for 1965 with 4,614 dolphin landed for a total of 69,210 pounds.

WINNER

1966

245 pounds BUNNY TOO Ivan Mercer Charleston, SC

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 13

Smallest angler lands largest

1967

blue marlin to win tournament

I

n May of 1967 Capt. George Bedsworth and mate R. A. Merrell aboard the Dolphin One brought in the first marlin of the season, a white marlin weighing 70 pounds. He additionally brought in 25 “over grown” dolphin. Charterboat skippers view the catch as a good omen for the upcoming Blue Marlin Festival and Tournament. Mr. Ben Moore, a local television personality was selected as the overall chairman for the event.

The beauty pageant continued with 12 entrants for the year. Miss Margaret Simmons, 22, of Newport NC won the title of Miss Blue Marlin. All entrants were required to attend the week-long festival and ride in both the street and boat parades.

The Festival ran from Monday, June 5 through Friday, June 9, 7:00 am until 3:00 pm with Saturday being an extra day for bad weather. A total of 30 boats were expected to enter the event.

The first day of the Fabulous Fishing Club Tournament in 1967 was declared a weather day with rough seas and the committee reported the tournament would run through Saturday. The second was just as bad but at least one brave boat, the Dolphin One, captained by George Bedsworth made the trip.

The dolphin bite was the discussion for the week with each boat bringing 30-40 dolphin back to the dock.

Rufus English, “a reported 130 pounder,” won the tournament with a 350 pound blue marlin catching it with bluefish. The fish was caught aboard the Dolphin, a “Lucky 7” cruiser which was captained by David Day. The mate was Dickie Day, the captain’s younger brother. The fish took 1 hour and 36 minutes to land. The captain’s prize, the only cash prize given the boat, was $500. Morehead City merchants donated other prizes to be given away to the winners.

Other prizes offered for the tournament were 2nd and 3rd place blue marlin, largest blue marlin boated on 80 lb. test line and the largest blue marlin landed by a lady angler. Smaller awards were offered for the largest white marlin, shark, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin and tuna.

WINNER 1967

Second place went to the boat Pyramus, captained by John Craig, and angler Leaky Davis brought in a 302 pound blue marlin. The Pyramus served as the tournament committee boat and reported the fish was hooked on a dolphin strip bait. The boat also won the white marlin category and brought back the county record dolphin at 55 pounds.

1967

The dolphin bite was the discussion of the week

14 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

350 pounds DOLPHIN Rufus English Lynchburg, VA

1968

“Fellowship Day” added to tournament

T

he format changed in 1968 to include the Wednesday mandatory layday called “Fellowship Day.” Participants would fish Monday, Tuesday, take Wednesday off, and fish Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Fishing times were set at 5:00 a.m. until 5 p.m., except Saturday when that day’s fishing time would end at 2:00 pm. Optional weather days were cancelled and the tournament committee explained the event would be shortened if bad weather persisted.

Entry fee for local and visiting boats was $35 and an estimated 18 boats participated.

The tournament kicked off literally with a 15-mile “foot race” which began at the NC Port Terminal on the first fishing day, Monday June 3, 1968. West Carteret High School student Sonny Hyman won the high school division with a short 1:51:11. His record for the race was 1:49:08.

The only other events were a boat parade held on Saturday evening before the fishing week, a tennis tournament held by the Morehead City Recreation Center and the final awards banquet held at the Rex Restaurant, Hwy. 70 West in Morehead City. Local civic groups were encouraged by the tournament committee to host other events during the tournament week to attract visitors.

The Red Snapper owned and captained by Johnny Stackhouse of Goldsboro won the tournament and set a new tournament record for a 538 pound fish taken during the event. This won the boat a $500 cash prize. This boat actually took first and second place awards with a smaller 306 pound blue marlin. Mr. Stackhouse donated the prize back to the club for a new five-year category offering $100 each year to “the first blue marlin landed during the tournament.” The prize was called the “Red Snapper” award and would be offered in 1969.

Third place was a 272 pound blue marlin taken Friday aboard Capt. Dee Daniels’ party boat, William Lee II. The captain won two trophies, 3rd place and the largest blue marlin on 80 lb. test line.

An eight and a half pound tuna won the tuna category trophy. No fish were caught during the tournament in the sailfish, wahoo or white marlin categories.

The Pyramus captained by John Craig and Leaky Davis served as the committee boat and rules committee WINNER 1968 and was given a special plaque for serv538 pounds ing as the committee RED SNAPPER boat for the last few Jerry Fulford years.

Washington, NC

1968 Entry fee for tournament was $35

Blue marlin Marathon begin 15mile foot race

Admission to awards banquet was $3.50

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 15

First fish of tournament wins

1969

T

he boat parade kicked off the events on Monday during the 1969 Fabulous Fishermen’s Club Tournament. The boat Tripoli with Captain Del Willis carried Miss Blue Marlin Amelia Lynn Garner of Newport and all the Little Miss Marlin contestants. Miss Wanda Whitfield was crowned the 1969 Little Miss Marlin on the previous Saturday.

The Dolphin One, captained by George Bedsworth, took home the winning prize of $500. The mate was R. A. Merrill. They also won the new “Red Snapper” award offered by Johnny Stackhouse for $100 for the first fish brought in during the tournament. The Dolphin One’s fish was caught on Tuesday of that week.

Of note, Commander Lyle Lemos, based at Fort Macon, won the wahoo trophy with a 65 pound fish. Cmd. Lemos was the captain aboard the Coast Guard cutter Chilula which had been requested to serve as the safety patrol vessel. The Chilula had been outfitted for offshore fishing complete with fighting chairs for the tournament.

Dr. Betty Gurganus of Jacksonville, NC won the women’s division and received a trophy for a 183 pound blue marlin she boated on Monday.

Over 150 people turned out for the awards banquet at the Rex Restaurant Former Mayor George Dill served as emcee for the event.

Parade float

Dr. Betty Gur her 183 poun ganus with d blue.

e ixon weighs th Mayor Bud D lin ar m ng winni

Miss Wanda Whitfield (right) was crowned 1969 Little Miss Blue Marlin Queen by her successor Lisa Willis.

WINNER

1969

495 pounds DOLPHIN ONE Leland Pribble Madison Heights, VA

1969

1970 7 blue marlin landed

Dolphin One wins tournament Coast Guard cutter Chilula wins wahoo trophy

16 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Bump Styron finally wins tournament

1970

After 13 years of fishing, Bump Styron wins

A

fter 13 years of fishing for blue marlin, manager of the Morehead City Yacht Basin Bump Styron won the 1970 Fabulous Fishing Club sponsored tournament. His crew included Captain Tom Willis of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and mates Wade Bailey of Wilmington and Mike Newman of Dauphin Island, AL. A total of seven blue marlin were landed along with two white marlin, a winning sailfish, wahoo, dolphin and tuna.

The Carteret County News-Times reported Bump’s tale of actually catching the fish.

“On the first jump that rascal wrapped the leader line around his tail and this made him even madder.

I brought him up to the boat five times, but in every instance he’d take off and start cutting up again. It took me an hour and a half to get him in and I’d swear right now he drug me to Cape Hatteras three times. To tell the truth, that fish damn near killed me. My back and arms have never ached so bad”.

Bump goes on to tell that the day before he went fishing, a six-year old daughter of a friend of his gave him a Dixie Cup full of what he thought was weeds. He sat them in his window sill and forgot about it. The day after the tournament a guy walks in his office and asked how he found so “many of those?” When Bump was mystified the fellow exclaimed, pointing to the cup. “Those my man are lucky little plants called Rabbit’s Foot Clover.”

Trophies and cash awards were presented at the Peddler Inn, Spooner’s Creek. An estimated 150 people attended the event with emcees Mayor Bud Dixon and Fabulous Fishing Club’s president, Bill Williams.

y Yacht Basin Morehead Cit

WINNER

1970

476 pounds REEL KING Bump Styron Morehead City, NC

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 17

1971

L

ittle Miss Blue Marlin, Amy Yurko, and Miss Blue Marlin, Debbie Kirk, were chosen from a list of candidates to represent the upcoming tournament. Miss Blue Marlin received a $100 savings bond and Little Miss Blue Marlin received a $25 savings bond.

It was reported by the Carteret County News-Times that the Tom n’ Jerry with captain Tom Talton of Durham, NC, had caught two blue marlin before the tournament began but was unable to enter the fish. The committee boat Pyramus from Wrightsville Beach, NC, reported a total of 52 billfish raised, but only 9 qualified in the tournament.

Carroll Ballou of Morehead City received the angler’s trophy and his son, Captain David Ballou, received the cash prize for the first place blue marlin back in 1971, winning $500. Capt. Ballou caught the first fish of the tournament just after 9:00 a.m. on Monday and took home the “first fish” prize of $200.

The Fabulous Fishing Club awarded a second place trophy to Tom Stancil of Atlanta, GA who landed a 372 pound blue marlin aboard the Bola, captained by Russ Grass. Third place went to Charles Dellone of Massillon, OH, who caught a 301 pound fish aboard charter boat Dolphin, captained by Herman Gibson.

Trophies were also awarded for the largest white marlin, sailfish, tuna, dolphin and wahoo.

The awards ceremony was held at the Peddler Restaurant, Spooner’s Creek, with Mayor Bud Dixon as master of ceremonies.

WINNER

377 pounds ALPHA D’AMOUR Carroll Ballou Morehead City, NC

Participants were treated to feasts on the mandatory layday held at Morehead City Yacht Basin.

1971

1972 1st place blue marlin prize was $500

Local citizen Carroll Ballou wins tournament Mayor Bud Dixon is master of ceremonies

18 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

1971

16 charter and private boats enter tournament

1972

A

scheduling mistake was made and the dates of the tournament in 1972 collided with the dates of the Hatteras Marlin Club Tournament. At the time, Bump Styron didn’t think it mattered saying, “The boats that fish up there don’t come here anyway. It’s a different set of fishermen that goes up there.” The entry fee was $50 per boat, captains and mates received cash prizes, anglers received trophies. The Morehead City Yacht Basin offered an additional prize of $100 for the last marlin brought in.

A total of 46 charter and private boats entered The Fabulous Fishing Club Tournament. Out of 19 blue marlin landed, 15 were “acceptable entries”. Two were mutilated and disqualified, one was caught after time was called and one was caught on a boat that had not entered the tournament.

Dr. Roy Earp brought in a blue marlin that had been badly eaten by sharks and was disqualified. The portion of the fish that remained still weighed 419 pounds.

The Wednesday “Fellowship Day” was once again held at the Morehead City Yacht Basin. A full mullet roast was offered to participants of the tournament.

The awards ceremony was held at the Elk’s Lodge in Morehead City where 150 people attended the event. John Craig, chairman of the tournament committee boat, served as emcee with Mayor Bud Dixon in assistance.

Captain Bob Sullivan aboard the Wahoo received the $500 prize for the largest fish caught and Captain George Bedsworth of the Dolphin One received the “Red Snapper” award of $200 for getting the first blue marlin of the tournament. His fish was landed on Monday and weighed 424 pounds. That was the first fish he had landed with his son George Jr. as mate.

Captain Jim Shirley aboard the C-Tertel IV got the Morehead City Yacht Basin’s $100 prize for the last fish landed in the tournament which weighed 268 ¾ pounds.

Trophies were given for the largest white marlin, dolphin, tuna, and wahoo. No sailfish or mako shark were landed to qualify for trophies.

WINNER

1972

487 pounds WAHOO Lance Harris Springfield, VA

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 19

Tournament name changed to

1973

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

B

y 1973 The Fabulous Fishing Club was fading out. The charter industry was still growing, but the businessmen who had started the tournament had gone on to greener pastures. Warren “Bump” Styron, owner of the Morehead City Yacht Basin, decided to take the responsibility of running the event and changed the name to “The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.” Bump had been involved with the tournament for years prior to 1973, so it was only fitting that he take the lead.

Mr. Styron also purchased a new 2000 pound scale that he erected next to Capt.

Bill’s Restaurant in downtown Morehead City. Capt Bill’s had long been the site where local captains liked to weigh their big blue marlin.

After two days of competition, 19 blue marlin had been landed, 13 on the first day. No sailfish were caught, and only one boat reported seeing this species. A total of 68 marlin were landed during this tournament with 62 of them being blue marlin. This was the largest amount of billfish landed to date in the tournament. Party boats and private boats together totaled 69 entries for the tournament.

No fish were released in the tournament, but plans were being discussed to include a release system for the following year. Captains had begun to use a mathematical method to calculate the weight of the fish using the length and girth. This multiplyer seemed to work so well, the committee discussed offering points for released fish that could be credited when the winners were determined.

Wednesday was set as “Fellowship Day” a mandatory layday. Bump put on a tremendous feed with his famous mullet roast during this day off. The mullets were salted and laid to dry in the sun on the roof of the Yacht Basin prior to cooking.

The awards banquet was held at the Morehead City-Beaufort Elks Lodge. A most prestigious North Carolina Governor’s Award, The Order of The Long Leaf Pine, was presented to Warren “Bump” Styron during the Awards ceremony. The award is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. Contributions to their communities, extra effort in their careers, and many years of service to their organizations are some of the guidelines by which recipients are selected for the award. Bump accepted the award with much emotion.

1973

First “Big Rock” Tournament 68 marlin were landed, 62 blue, 6 white

1974 2000 lb. scales purchased for weigh station

Order of Long Leaf Pine presented to Bump Styron

20 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

100 boats enter tournament with entryy fee of $75 Appreciation Award presented to Styron family

The committee boat Sea Tramp owned by John Waldin of Charlotte, NC, captained

by John Craig of Wrightsville Beach, was the winner of the tournament. Their fish was actually taken on Monday, the first day of the tournament and won $600 in prize money. The second place trophy went to the boat Ebb Tide for a 522 pound blue marlin, and the third place trophy was won by Lt. Col. Jerry Marvel of Newport NC, with a 478 pounder caught on the Hatterascal. This first “Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament” was dedicated to Lt. Col. Jerry Marvel who had recently returned from a prisoner-of-war camp in North Vietnam.

Bump Styron and Little Miss Big Rock

The party boat Bolo of Southport, captained by Russell Grass got the first blue marlin entry of the competition which entitled him to a $150 prize. Other prizes included $150 to Ebb Tide for landing the last blue marlin of the tournament and $100 went to the boat Pescador for the longest successful fight to land a marlin at 5 hours and 37 minutes.

The “longest battle” award was sponsored by Gregory Poole Equipment Co. and would have been doubled if the boat had sported CAT engines. Cynthia Christian of Atlantic Beach and a former Miss Morehead City won the lady angler trophy for her 399 pound blue marlin caught aboard the vessel El-Tigre. Trophies were given for the largest white marlin, dolphin, wahoo and tuna caught by either sex. nesday feast Wed

Also in this year, NOAA studied this tournament and 35 other big game fishing tournaments throughout the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. Their findings were published as follows: • 1022 boats trolled for 24,000 hours • 7.4 days to hook a sailfish • 10 days to hook a blue marlin • 17.8 days to hook a white marlin The major accident of the tournament, Lee Styron, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roma Styron lost a portion of his finger when a leader he was unraveling got caught in the prop of the party boat Crickett III. He was treated by Dr. Leroy Allen of Raleigh who was fishing close by.

“Big Rock” is a drop off ledge off the continental nti shelf about 45 miles offshore that is known as a favorite fishing spot.

WINNER Lt. Col. Jerry M

arvel

1973

530.5 pounds SEA TRAMP John Waldin Charlotte, NC

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 21

1973 s, Big Buddy Harri Member Rock Board r and his Casey Wagne ner. dad Ken Wag 1973 FIRST “BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT” RULES Your Invitation for the First Big Rock Tournament June 4th thru June 9th, 1973 The first Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament for 1973 will begin June 4th and run through June 9th.

Kickoff Cocktail Party sponsored by the Big Rock Tournament will be Sunday night, June 3rd at 8:00 pm at the Elk’s Club, Morehead City. This party is for members, guests, anglers, boat crews and wives only.

1. Fishing in the tournament will begin at 9:00 am and end at 3:00 pm every day. No fish hooked prior to 9:00 am or after 3:00 pm may be entered. Fishing will end at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 9th.

2. The catching of fish and tackle used shall be in accordance with International Game Fish Association Rules.

3. Wednesday, June 6th is Fellowship Day. NO FISHING. Party and dinner at Morehead City Yacht Basin Wednesday night.

4. A mutilated fish will not be accepted. Any fish cut, shot, or bit by a shark is disqualified.

5. All catches will be reported to committee boat as soon as hooked, and again when boated. (Bill Fish only) 6. All fish must be weighed at the official weighing station in order to be eligible.

Official weighing station is located at Capt. Bill’s Restaurant, at the foot of Seventh Street, Morehead City.

7. Anglers will be awarded trophies for first, second, and third place for blue marlin, according to fish weight. Trophies will also be awarded to anglers catching the largest white marlin, sail fish, tuna, wahoo, and dolphin.

8. A separate Captain-Mate prize of $150, known as the “Dizzy-Izzy Award” will be given to the Captain who catches and lands the first blue marlin during the tournament.

9. Captain-Mate prize will go to the Captain with the largest blue marlin. This prize will be no less than $250 and no more than $600. No angler will receive this award.

10. All anglers and captains must be registered with the tournament committee to qualify for prizes or trophies.

11. All releases of small fish are encouraged, and will be recognized and rewarded.

12. W.F. Fancourt Company, Greensboro, N.C. will give $150 for the last blue marlin caught in the tournament.

13. Special trophy for the lady catching the largest blue marlin.

1974

A

Big Rock mourns the passing of a friend

whopping 100 boats entered the 1974 Big Rock Tournament for a record participation. The winning fish was caught on Thursday of the fishing week. The boat was owned by E. R. Evans of Ahoskie. The prize was $600 and went to the captain and mate, Nevin Wescott and Tom McKim, respectively. Entry fees were $75 per boat.

Though seas were rough for the entire week, the tournament ended on Friday of this fishing year with 17 blue marlin and 6 white marlin landed.

Warren “Bump” Styron had worked tirelessly for many years with the Fabulous Fishing Club and had started the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament the previous year when the fishing club disbanded. Sadly, just before the invitations were mailed to participants for the 1974 tournament, he passed away unexpectedly. Tournament directors for the 1974 Big Rock were David Styron, John Craig, Mrs. Warren “Bump” Styron, and Delmas Willis.

The awards dinner was held at the John Yancey Motel in Atlantic Beach. Steamboat round and a variety of seafood was served. Tickets for the event were $6.50 each. A special captains and anglers appreciation award was presented to the Styron family in memory of Bump Styron who had worked so diligently in establishing the tournament.

22 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

WINNER

1974

451 pounds C’EST LA VIE L.B. Britton, Jr. Ahoskie, NC

April 11, 1974 In the quake of Bump Styron’s passing on March 12, 1974, the family resolved to continue his tremendous efforts to promote blue marlin fishing in Morehead City. The officers were nominated and the minutes were as follows: The organizational meeting of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament met April 11, 1974 at 4:34 p.m.

Officers elected: President- John Craig Vice-President- David Styron 2nd Vice-President- Delmas Willis Sec & Treas. Monna Jean Styron The organization will be called Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Rivers will be contacted for Weigh Station record keepers.

Mr. Mark Brennon will be asked to be official weighmaster.

Mr. Delmas Willis was elected tournament director to consult with Mrs. Styron before making any decisions.

The trophies have been ordered.

The new officers have engaged Mr. Claude Wheatly as their attorney and have approved the attorney fees to be paid from the account of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. The awards banquet will be held at the John Yancy. The fellowship dinner to be held at the Morehead City Yacht Basin. Douglas Edwards will prepare the food for the fellowship dinner. The menu will consist of Mullets, clam chowder, hush puppies, and cole slaw & shrimp.

Monna Jean Styron Sec.

The Th T he Big Biig Rock B Roock R ck Blue Bllu ue Marlin Maarrllin M in Tournament Tou ou urn rnam rn ameen n ntt 50th 5500th 0th th Anniversary Ann nniv iver erssaarryy 23 23

1975

The Big Rock was the largest tournament on the east coast

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total of 106 boats entered the tournament in 1975, and officials announced that this made The Big Rock the largest tournament on the east coast and perhaps the United States. The Hatterascal, captained by John Craig was the committee boat. The Carteret County Chamber of Commerce sponsored a week of events leading up to the tournament including a boat parade on the weekend prior to fishing. Catches included 12 blue marlin, 2 sailfish, 4 dolphin, 1 tuna and 1 wahoo.

The tournament was won after a 6 hour fight to land the catch. The captain-mate prize was $1000 and went to Captain Jimmy Vogel and mate Auggie Ciell aboard the Yellow Bird IV. The crew caught the fish on 130 lb. test line and used mullet for bait.

Second place and $600 went to the boat Mavis-K. Captain Caswell Strickland and angler Ray Strickland landed a 452 pound blue marlin. Third place and $400 went to Betsy with Captain Barry Johnson for his 438.5 pound fish.

Mrs. June DiRosa of Pine Knoll Shores won the trophy for the lady landing the largest fish with her 351.5 blue she caught on Tuesday aboard the vessel Marlin Too captained by David Day. Other prizes were for the smallest marlin, the first blue marlin of the tournament, the only release (1) of the tournament, sailfish, tuna, dolphin and wahoo. No white marlin were taken.

As an aside, a special award was given to angler B. H. Oates Jr. of New Bern aboard the Wendi Gail who landed the first blue marlin of the tournament. After fighting the fish for 2 hours and 45 minutes, the fish pulled the hook. Mr. Oates dove over the side of the boat and gaffed the fish to bring it on board. His gift was a book titled “Shark Attack.”

The 1975 Big Rock Tournament was dedicated to the memory of W. L. “Bump” Styron who had poured his heart and soul into the tournament for over 20 years and had passed away unexpectedly in March of 1974. A special plaque was presented to his son David during the awards ceremony.

1st Place Blue Marlin $1000 2nd Place Blue Marlin $600 3rd Place Blue Marlin $400

1975 No white marlin landed 106 boats enter tournament

Hatterascal was committee boat

24 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Tournament dedicated to Bump Styron

WINNER

1975

481.5 pounds YELLOW BIRD IV Richard Miller Rumson, NJ

1976

A record 118 boats entered the tournament

O

ne hundred eighteen boats signed up for the 1976 event…another record for the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. The entry fee was $100 per boat. The Hatteras Marlin Tournament and The Big Rock Tournament once again fell on the same week. Though there was discussion of changing the dates, the tournaments ran at the same time.

Seven hundred participants enjoyed “Fellowship Day” at the Morehead City Yacht Basin. The dinner consisted of charcoaled jumping mullet, boiled shrimp, hush puppies, cole slaw and clam chowder. First in line was the honorable Governor Jim Holshouser, Jr. The governor fished the next to the last day of the Big Rock aboard the yacht Big Salty II catching some dolphin.

The winning blue marlin was caught on Thursday of the tournament and took 2 hours and 45 minutes for angler Bob Donovan to land. The fish was taken on 80 lb. test line and with squid for bait. The marlin measured 140 inches in length with a girth of 62 inches. Captain Mike Hamilton and mate Harvey Ayers won the prize at $2675.24 dollars.

Mr. Donovan received a trophy.

This fish placed Mr. Donovan as a regional winner in the Motorboat Magazine Master Angler Tournament and as Master Blue Marlin Angler. He was invited to compete for the Motorboat Master Finals in a three day sailfish tournament in Florida the following February.

Second place, a $1685.14 prize, went to Captain George Willis on the Mariner III for their 519 pound blue. The Tripoli took third place with a 475 pound fish, and the $1190.10 prize went to Captain Wallace Guthrie. The winning white marlin was a 64½ pound fish caught aboard the Ole, captained by Eddie Cameron Jr. and Eddie Cameron, III, of Kinston was the angler.

Eighteen billfish which included ten blue marlin, five white marlin and three sailfish were landed during this years tourney.

Two blue marlin were disqualified because of mutilation by boat props. The largest dolphin was 50 pounds, and the largest wahoo was a tremendous 101 ¼ pound fish. There were no tuna landed.

WINNER

The 1976 tournament was dedicated to Bill Caldwell of Charlotte, NC, previous owner of the Willy Wica. Mr. Caldwell spent countless hours seeking blue marlin off the coast of North Carolina and traveled all over the world being a goodwill ambassador for the sportfishing community in Morehead City. His captain D.B. Willis and mate Harrison Guthrie, both of Morehead City, caught many marlin off of the coast and were complimented on their “triple,” a three blue marlin day in the early 60’s.

1976

575 pounds RESTLESS V Bob Donovan Rockville, MD

1976

118 boats competed

$2675.24 captain and mate 1st place prize

Entry fee was $100.00

18 billfish: 10 blues, 5 white, 3 sail 101-1/4 wahoo was caught The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 25

1976

Bein

g “Piggish” Delmas Willis, pr Marlin Tournam esident of the Big Rock Bl ue a young pig, fo ent, gets set to take Porkch r op the animal to Ma walk. Wilmington anglers se , nt cause Atlantic r. Willis as a joke “protest” be Be and second plac ach boats came in with fi rs tournament re e fish in the Wilmington mar t cently. lin

Competitors at Big Rock took advantage of a lay day during the blue marlin tournament to socialize at the Morehead City Yacht Basin and later took part in a giant fish fry where they devoured over 600 pounds of jumping mullet. One of the first in line was North Carolina Gov. Jim Holshouser.

26 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

1977

636 pounds becomes new tournament record ight painted Disregard the we It was 636 e. blu nt on the gia pounds, not 660.

T

he 1977 tournament was a record year in boat totals (121 boats) and the largest fish caught to date during the tournament, a 636 pound blue marlin by angler Rusty Cutshaw of Morehead City. He landed the fish on Wednesday with 120 lb. test line using lady fish for bait. The captain-mate prize of $1200 went to A. T. Piner, owner and captain of Sea Buster, and mate Arthur Lewis.

Inclement weather and a less than favorable forecast motivated tournament officials to allow boats to fish on Wednesday which had been held in the past as “Fellowship Day,” a mandatory lay day.

The first day of fishing for the tournament was Monday, and only one fish was landed, a a 50.5 pound white marlin on Bill Christian’s Marlin Darlin’ out of Anchorage Marina.

On Wednesday, along with the record 636 pound fish, five blue marlin and two white marlin were landed to produce all three places in the blue marlin category for the tournament. Second place and $800 went to Sea Weed, captained by Russell Dement for a 434 pound blue marlin.

The angler was Rick Caton. Third place and $600 went to Sandy Dee, captained by Bob Larove for a 394.5 pound fish caught by angler Tom Spirl of Baltimore, MD. Tuna, dolphin and wahoo categories received trophies.

There were no sailfish taken during this tournament.

The awards banquet was held at the Bogue Banks Country Club. Admission was $6.00.

Carteret County News-Times imes im es March 3, 1977 New owner of the Morehead City Yacht Basin, Paul Kerwin, announces he will continue the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament started by the previous Yacht Basin owner, Bump Styron.

After Bumps untimely death in 1974, his wife Monna Jean Styron continued to run the business and the tournament. “His goal was to put Morehead City on the map and he did,” stated Mrs. Styron in a 1977 interview with the Carteret County News-Times. The tournament had been hosted by the Fabulous Fishing Club until the club disbanded and Mr. Styron took over the event.

1977 Largest blue marlin caught to date, 636 pounds

Record number of boats to date at 121

WINNER

1977

636 pounds SEA BUSTER Rusty Cutshaw Morehead City, NC The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 27

15 year old angler wins tourney

1978

T

he 1978 tournament began with much better weather than the previous year and brought out another 120 boats to fish the event. The tournament was dedicated to Delmas Willis who had long been a supporter and participant in the fishing event. Delmas served for over 21 years on the tournament board including his time with the defunct Fabulous Fishing Club.

Catches were weighed daily at the official weigh station located beside Capt. Bill’s Restaurant. The C owner of Capt. Bill’s, Ken Newsom, had served as the weigh master for many of the early tournament o yyears but this year, the weigh masters were Calvin Erickson and Bill Bachert.

Mark Mason, a 15 year old from Greensboro, NC, took the winning fish on Tuesday of the tournament.

M He received a trophy for the first place, and his father Captain Doug Mason, received the cash award of H $$4400. They caught their fish on an artificial lure using 130 lb. test line.

SSecond place went to Sea Mint, the official committee boat, captained by John Craig. The mate was Mike Floyd. They received $2640 for their 449 pound blue marlin landed on the first day of the M ttournament. The angler was John’s son, John Craig, Jr. to

Skipper George Bedsworth, left, mate Tommy Jernigan, right, and angler Ken Huff display the catch that ended a long dry spell for the Dolphin One.

WINNER

Third place was won by the Honey B II, captained by Ken Kramer, for their 401 pound blue marlin taken Thursday. Their prize was $1760.00 A total of 34 billfish were landed during this tournament which included 20 blue marlin, 12 white marlin and 2 sailfish. Records were kept by David Styron, president.

1978

604 pounds KELLY BEAN Mark Mason Greensboro, NC

1979

T

he entry fee for the 1979 tournament was $125 per boat, and to make things more interesting, tournament officials added an additional level at $400 per boat for daily prizes. The daily prize was for the largest blue marlin each day, but final tallies are unknown. A total of 112 boats entered the tournament for a week of fishing.

Anglers would once again fish Monday, Tuesday, have a mandatory layday on Wednesday, and finish the week on Thursday and Friday. Morehead City Yacht Basin offered the now famous mullet roast on Wednesday to all participants along with shrimp, clam chowder and hush puppies.

David Styron served as president, Paul Kerwin as vice-president and John Craig was the tournament director. Other officers and directors listed were Jean Kerwin, secretary/treasurer, Fanny Christian, Butch Gentry and Cliff Lynch. The rules committee was Capt. George Bedsworth, Capt. Bill Williams and Capt. Bill Christian.

The tournament was dedicated to Capt. Hubert Fulcher who had recently retired as Morehead City’s chief of police and was operating his charter boat the Bluewater on the Morehead City waterfront. Capt. Fulcher had been active in all the marlin tournaments helping with the boat parades and general public relations work.

The vessel Enchantress out of New Jersey had the biggest catch of all though it didn’t resemble a fish. They gaffed a bale of marijuana they found floating offshore during tournament week. Skipper Norman Seville turned the haul over to the Morehead City Police Department where it was burned. The Carteret County News-Times reported the bundle’s estimated worth was around $35,000.

Final numbers for billfish landed were 16 blue marlin and 8 white marlin. No sailfish were landed. Trophies were given for tuna, dolphin and wahoo categories.

1978 34 billfish were landed

15-year old wins tournament

28 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

WINNER

1979

376 pounds SEA MINT Jim O’Daiell Wilmington, NC

1980 Crowd gathers to witness the weigh in of one of the 19 entries caught during the tournament.

W

eigh Master Frank Weeks of Morehead City ran the scales each day as fish were weighed in beside Capt. Bill’s Restaurant on the Morehead City waterfront.

Lady Angler Margaret Adams won first place in the Big Rock with her 390 pound fish caught on Thursday of the tournament. She also took home the top lady angler award. The fish was caught on 80 lb. test line with an artificial lure.

Second place went to the Pollyanna and angler R. L. Tutterow of Greensboro for his 379 pound blue taken on Friday.

A 307 pound blue marlin taken Thursday on the Barbara B captained by Allen Bailey finished third. The angler was William Blount of Greenville.

Total billfish landed included 13 blue and 6 white marlin. No sailfish were landed during this tournament. Trophies were given for tuna, dolphin and wahoo. An additional award was given by Pflueger Marine Taxidermist of Hallandale, FL for the lady landing the largest white marlin. That award was given to Rachel Snyder of Winterville who caught a 66 pound 12 oz. white.

WINNER

390 pounds JET STREAM Margaret Adams Winston-Salem, NC

Angler William Blount checks in one of three blue marlin taken Thursday on the Barbara B.

1979 Biggest catch of all wasn’t even a marlin... it was a bale of marijuana!

1980

1980

Lady angler wins tournament

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 29

1981

T

he Big Rock Tournament took a major turn in 1981 when McDonald’s Corporation came on board as the title sponsor of the event. The sponsorship motivated major news organizations such as CBS, and NBC along with prime sportfishing magazines to showcase Morehead City and the tournament as they had never done before. The benefits of McDonald’s vast advertising campaign propelled the tournament to a new level.

With Ronald McDonald in town, the event took on a festival atmosphere and events were scheduled for every day of the week.

Those events included a boat parade, beach run, tennis tournament, golf tournament, fashion show, and appearances by Ronald at Newport Developmental Center, children’s centers and area hospitals.

Proceeds from the events went to the Ronald McDonald House which provided services to children who were hospitalized.

The tournament was dedicated to Capt. Ottis Purifoy who had been a sport fishing advocate for more than 60 years. He had passed away earlier that spring. aters a d and Skip W ld McDonal naaalld on Ro with WCTI-12

A total of 94 boats entered the tournament, bringing in 18 blue marlin and 14 white marlin.

Cash prizes were given for first through third place blue marlin, and trophies were given for tuna, dolphin, wahoo, the youngest angler catching a blue marlin and the lady angler catching the largest blue marlin. Merchandise prizes were awarded to 10 places in the blue marlin category. For the first year, the committee members offered special awards for the boats tagging and releasing the most billfish during the tournament.

1981 McDonald’s comes on board as title sponsor

30 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Special awards for boats tagging and releasing the most billfish

Tom To T o Barnes of Wilson won the tournament with his 432 pound blue marlin caught on Tuesday of h the tournament. The boat was Flying Fish captained

by Ken Kramer. The mate was David Allen. In second place was the Seahunter captained by R.G.Burnette. The angler was Averette Lamm who caught a 400 pound blue marlin. Third place and the youngest angler award went to 16 year old Ben Smith of Wilmington aboard the Sammy WINNER 1981 Boy for their 385 pound fish.

432 pounds FLYING FISH Tom Barnes Wilson, NC

1982

T

Proceeds donated to Ronald McDonald House

he winner of the 1982 McDonald’s Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament was a favorite local gynecologist Dr. Tennant Teeter aboard the Marlin Darlin with captain and owner Bill Christian and mate George Bedsworth.

Their win netted the group a $5000 check that they happily handed over to the tournament’s local charity Newport Developmental Center.

Second place and $3000 went to the crew of the Sammy Boy with a 369.5 pound blue marlin. The boat was captained by Sam Hinson, and the angler was Joe Taylor. Third place and $2000 went to Captain Buddy Harris of the Offshore III for the 310 pound marlin caught by angler Harry Branch.

Merchandise totaling at least $4,100 was awarded to fourth through seventh place blue marlin contestants. Trophies were given for first place white marlin, tuna, dolphin, wahoo and sailfish. A daily cash prize of $500 was given for the largest blue marlin.

There were 112 boats competing in the tournament which was an increase of 16 boats from the year before. Boats came from as far away as Bermuda, Maryland and New York.

Tournament officers were Butch Gentry, president; Chuck Rhodes, vice president; Paul Kerwin, Treasurer; and Jim Biggerstaff, Secretary. Directors were Fannie Christian, Lacy Henry, Jeff Drake and Bruce Wunner. In the fall of 1982, Roger Boggs was elected to replace the vacant seat left by Lacy Henry. The board hired Bill O’Brien as its first tournament director.

The tournament’s theme for 1982 was “For the Love of Special Children.” Proceeds of $3000 each were donated to the urna ur na Ronald house of Durham in and the Newport Developmental Center in Newport. on naald ld McDonald McD D

WINNER

1982

398.25 pounds MARLIN DARLIN Tennant Teeter Morehead City, NC

1982

Bill O’Brien appointed first tournament director Tournament theme: “For the Love of Special Children” The TheBig BigRock RockBlue BlueMarlin MarlinTournament Tournament50th 50thAnniversary Anniversary31 31

1983

A

fter many years of taking Wednesday as the mandatory layday, tournament officials changed the format and allowed boats to turn in a layday form prior to 9:00 a.m. for the day taken. This new addition allowed captains to choose the day they would stay at the dock. However, every day of the 1983 tournament was a rough day at sea and many boats stayed at the docks more than one day.

Fannie Christian asked that the tournament be dedicated “To All Special Children,” and the board discussed other children’s charities such as some of the North Carolina orphanages. The tournament gained non-profit status as “The Crystal Tournament, Inc.” Nine blue marlin and 14 white marlin were caught by the 107 boats that fished the tournament. Trophies were given for tuna, dolphin, wahoo and sailfish. Five white marlin and 1 sailfish were released.

A World Record Catch of $100,000 was established as an insurance premium for the 1983 tournament.

Tournament prizes were given for the largest blue marlin at $5000, second place blue marlin for $3000 and third place blue marlin for $2000. Daily prizes for blue marlin were given with prizes for white marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo and dolphin. There were special prizes for the lady catching the largest blue marlin (though no ladies won this prize) and the largest number of billfish tagged and released. The tag and release prize was given to Jim Bailey, owner of the Calcutta for releasing two white marlin on Monday of the tournament.

WINNER

1983

459.5 pounds PROMISES TOO Ken McLeskey Virginia Beach, VA

1983 Mandatory lay day changed... captains decide which day to lay

Tournament gained non-profit status

L-R Bill O’Brien, Mickey Corcoran, Lee Moore, Ray Brown and Butch Gentry.

32 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

1984

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he Big Rock Fashion Show was held mid-week of the festivities. Offered by local clothier The Golden Gull with owner/commentator Skip Schnibben, the show was an exciting addition to the fishing week. Ladies sought out the coveted tickets months in advance. All proceeds from this show were donated to Big Rock’s charities.

A full schedule of events included a Pig Picking at Sea Water Marina, the captain’s party at the Crystal Coast Civic Center, boat parade, golf and tennis tournaments, a one day preteen fishing tournament, a fish fry at the Morehead City Yacht Basin on Wednesday, and the awards banquet back at the civic center.

Tournament officials recalled the $15,000 donated in 1983 to the Ronald McDonald House and Newport Developmental Center, hoping for a larger donation in this tournament year. Officers for 1983 were Chuck Rhodes, President; Jim Biggerstaff, Vice President; Paul Kerwin, Treasurer; Denny Glasgow, Secretary. Fannie Christian, Jeff Drake, Ray Brown, Mickey Corcoran, Butch Gentry and Bruce Wunner made up the board of directors. Bill O’Brien served as tournament director.

Prize money offered included $5000 for first place blue marlin, $3000 for second place and $2000 for third place. Daily prizes of $500 were offered each day for the largest blue marlin. The entry fee was $300 per boat.

The winning fish with a record weight for the tournament was caught on Monday by the boat Outlaw, captained by Paul Spencer. Other blue marlin catches of note included two blue marlin caught in one day on the Calcutta owned by Jim Bailey; weighing 612 pounds and 429 pounds, a 256 pound blue by the Fast Delivery, owned by previous winner Dr. Tennant Teeter, a 391 pound fish by the Capt. Stacy V, Captain Sonny Davis’s first blue marlin; and a 175 pound fish on the Honey Hush owned

by Bob Warren.

The tournament was the second leg of the International Billfish League.

A total of 14 blue marlin were landed for the tournament. The Calcutta owned by Jim Bailey, took second place with their 612 pound blue, and the Barbara B, owned by Bill Blount, took third place with a 503 pound fish. Nine white marlin, 2 sailfish, 5 tuna, 7 dolphin and 4 wahoo were also taken during the week. In the wahoo category, Randy Ramsey’s boat Starflite had a 52 pound leading fish but was topped by a 53.5 pound wahoo aboard the Triple B, owned by Baxter Benson.

WINNER 1984 The crew of the Polly B had the most disappointing catch on Friday. Their tremendous blue marlin was half eaten by sharks before they could get the fish in the boat. Though disqualified based on IGFA rules of mutilation, the remaining portion of the fish weighed in at 572 pounds and was believed to have been more than 800 pounds when fully intact. The angler and owner of the boat was Ed Purdie.

720 pounds OUTLAW Brad Gilliam

1984 The marlin that would have won the tournament was devoured by a 2300 lb. great white shark

T-shirt art

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 33

1985

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ith additional corporate sponsorship, the total purse increased from $10,000 in 1984 to $40,000 in 1985. First place blue marlin prize would be a whopping $20,000 up from $5000 the year before. All this was credited to the growing list of sponsors who were signing on to support the tournament.

Calcutta betting was allowed and held at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. In the June 3, 1985, edition of the Carteret County News-Times the following was reported:

“The Auctioneers tried to solicit bids of $1500 for each boat and they came close to that, averaging $1200. A bidding rules sheet was distributed, stating that the minimum bid per boat had to be $500.

Owners were given the right to buy their boats outright for the $1500 bid before bidding was opened on the floor, but most settled for outbidding competitors.

Bidding went to the maximum quickly on boats with top marlin fishermen, while some boats with lesser-known anglers drew less than $1000 bids.

Highest bidders went up front as soon as a boat was “sold” and put down their money. A reported $157,000 was raised for the Calcutta pot.”

A golf tournament, fashion show, boat parade and pre-teen pier fishing tournament were all part of the festivities for the week of the tournament.

The official weigh station was at Morehead City Yacht Basin using a new electric wench to hoist the fish.

Capt V. P. Brinson aboard the Sea Hag closed the tournament with a great finish when he brought home the winning fish at 8:45 pm on the last day. The awards banquet was postponed until the winner was determined. Second place went to Bill Collector with a 447.5 pound fish. The angler was Bruce Byland. Barbara B took third place with a 416.75 pound fish caught by angler Billy Clifton.

A total of 137 boats entered the tournament, and 15 blue marlin and 4 white marlin were caught. Prizes were also given for the most billfish tagged and released and the largest tuna, dolphin and wahoo.

Denny Glasgow served as president of the board. Tournament officers were Dale Ward, Ray Brown, Chuck Rhodes, Jeff Drake, Jim Biggerstaff, Paul Kerwin and Darrel Morgan.

1985 Purse grows to $40,000

Winning fish caught on last day

34 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

WINNER

1985

534.5 pounds SEA HAG Bruce Young Raleigh, NC

Corporate Sponsors listed for 1985 were: McDonald’s, Founding Sponsor; Budweiser, Sustaining Sponsor; Bertram; Carolina Yacht Sales; Boone Baits; Eastern Wrecking Service; Ensley’s Radio, Fenwick; HMY Yacht Sales; Hatteras Yachts; Luhrs; Miller Desk Co.; Outer Banks Electronics; Pepsi Cola; 70 West Marina; Shimano; Charter Restaurant; Ottis Fish Market; WCTI-TV; Morehead City Yacht Basin; and Spooner’s Creek Yacht Harbor. The tournament donated $7,500 to Newport Developmental Center and $7,500 to the Ronald McDonald House. The theme for the year was “For the Love of Special Children.”

1986

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n the fall of 1985, the Big Rock board added two new members, Casey Wagner and Ben Moore, who still serve on the board today. Other members in ’86 were Mark Russell, Tennant Teeter, Chuck Rhodes, Darryl Morgan, Hugh Talton, Jess Davis, Ray Brown, Jeff Drake, Denny Glasgow, Fannie Christian, Paul Kerwin and Dale Ward.

After the 1985 “betting” tournament the board decided they would not endorse or engage in a calcutta or auctioning of boats entered into the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

The minimum weight for blue marlin was changed from 150 lbs. to 200 lbs. to increase the conservation of the species and it was decided the tournament would pay 8 places in the blue marlin category. The board also added a second level entry fee of $1500 but the boat would be required to enter the mandatory $300 Level I in order to get in Level II. First place blue marlin won $50,000. Close to 140 boats entered the tournament with 95 entering in both levels.

Sea Striker with Captain Adrian Holler was the only boat to land two blue marlin, one weighing in just shy of the winning fish at 602.5 pounds. It was initially weighed at 603, but a glove was found in a gaff mark on the fish so the weight was lowered a half pound.

Overall 26 blue marlin, 16 white marlin, 3 sailfish, 3 dolphin, 5 wahoo, and 16 tuna were weighed in at the Morehead City Yacht Basin.

The board donated $8500 to Newport Developmental Center and $8500 to Ronald McDonald Houses of North Carolina for a total of $17,000 to charity.

WINNER In 1986 the tournament unveils a new electronic digital scale making the weighing in of the tournament fish “a snap”.

1986

608.5 pounds SHEARWATER Susan MacRae Sneads Ferry, NC

1986 Tournament donates $17,000 to charity

Level II increased

Tournament was dedicated to Michael J. Smith, a Beaufort, NC native, who perished aboard the Challenger on January 28, 1986.

Minimum weight for blue marlin changed from 150 pounds to 200 pounds The TheBig BigRock RockBlue BlueMarlin MarlinTournament Tournament50th 50thAnniversary Anniversary35 35

1987

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ew board member Casey Wagner was placed in charge of public relations for the tournament and was asked to place a major emphasis on the local area. The board raised the minimum mandatory entry fee from $350 to $400.

There were 133 boats entered in the tournament. Out of the 133 entries, 104 boats entered the second level at $1500. For the 1987 tournament the board added to the new minimum weight rule of 200 lbs. by extending the rule, “If a fish was weighed in under 200 lbs., that weight would be subtracted from the next fish brought in by the boat.”

The first place boat, Midnight Hour took home $92,200 in prize money with the total purse topping out at $182,400. The fish was caught on Tuesday.

The tournament paid eight places : Second place Sea Hag $50,120 Third Place Big Dawg $4000 Fourth Place Sea Striker $28,000 Fifth Place Triple Header $2000 Sixth Place Trophy Box $1500 Seventh Place O Lucky Me $1000 Eighth Place Office $500 Captain George Bedsworth was given a plaque at the awards banquet for serving as the committee boat for the tournament for “close to 25 years.”

Stats included: 22 blues caught, 8 released; 19 white marlin caught, 15 released.

As the Level II money increased, so did the charitable donations. The board added the IGFA to its list of organizations to receive support and donated $3000 to the effort. Additionally, they donated $10,000 to the Ronald McDonald House and $10,000 to Newport Developmental Center.

In November of 1987, Tom Bennett and Randy Ramsey were added to the board of directors.

Tournament Committee: (l-r) Denny Glasgow, Tennant Teeter, Fanny Christian, Darrell Morgan, Dale Ward, Jeff Drake, Hugh Talton, Chuck Rhodes, Ben Moore, Billy Kornegay, Paul Kerwin. (not pictured) Ray Brown, Mickey Corcoran.

1987 Higher penalty for bringing in undersized fish

Charitable donations increased

36 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

WINNER

1987

576 pounds MIDNIGHT HOUR James Edmonds Arlington, VA

1988

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he blue marlin prize schedule was changed to include a release prize of $5000, which was sponsored by Capital Broadcasting. This was done by eliminating the last three places in the blue marlin category and paying out first through fifth place.

A champagne brunch fashion show at Galley Stack Restaurant in Spooner’s Creek, a boat parade on the Morehead City waterfront and other festivities were held to enhance the tournament week’s events. Southern Comfort won $300 for first place in the boat parade.

A record 137 boats fished the tournament, with 105 boats in Level II. The O Four landed their blue marlin on Monday, the first day of fishing and held on to win the tournament and $90,875. The wait was agonizing since the 440 pound fish was 26 pounds lighter than the average of any winning fish in tournament history.

Mike Romeo, captain of the O Four commented “I never figured it would hang in there. There were a lot bigger fish hooked up, but unfortunately lost”.

The angler aboard the O Four, Randy Link, found out about the tournament when he had boat problems and was forced to moor at the Morehead City Yacht Basin. There he saw a brochure about the tournament and became interested in participating. It was the first time the boat had fished the Big Rock Tournament.

The Sea Merchant of Atlantic Beach, captained by Bruce Armstrong, finished second, winning $50,225 with Elaine Loggins as angler. Elaine fought the fish for 3 hours and 40 minutes. The boat Andrea Grace III finished third and fifth with two blue marlin caught during the week taking home $32,350.

Catches and releases included 62 fish caught- 35 blue marlin, 24 white marlin and 3 sailfish. A record 42 billfish were released which was attributed to the additional prize money offered in this category. $11,000 each was donated to The Ronald McDonald House and The Newport Developmental Center.

At the close of the tournament, the board began discussing raising the minimum weight for blue marlin to 300 lbs. Their final action was to change the release rule to the following, “In the spirit of conservation the following rule shall apply. Any blue marlin WINNER 1988 less than 87 inches in length, measured from the fork of the tail to the lower jaw, will not be eligible for any 440 pounds prize money. In the event a blue marlin is reported to O FOUR the committee boat as being boated, the fish shall be weighed in a the official weigh station. In the Randall Link event the blue marlin measures less than 87 inches the boat shall be penalized 200 pounds from Virginia Beach, VA the weight of the largest fish weighed in by that boat. IGFA rules are encouraged and current IGFA rules regarding mutilation shall apply.”

1988 The blue marlin prize schedule was changed to include a release prize of $5000

$11,000 each was donated to The Ronald McDonald House and The Newport Developmental Center

The TheBig BigRock RockBlue BlueMarlin MarlinTournament Tournament50th 50thAnniversary Anniversary37 37

1989

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cDonald’s continued to be the founding sponsor of the tournament with Ronald McDonald making hospital visits, weigh station appearances and visiting the Newport Developmental Center.

The board of directors decided to eliminate the boat parade and fashion show from the tournament’s line up and concentrate on the participants’ scheduled events though in the end they did hold the boat parade for one more year.

The tournament was dedicated to Dr. Leroy Allen for his love of fishing and dedication to the sport.

A record 177 boats entered the tournament with 141 in Level II. President Casey Wagner explained to the Carteret County News-Times, “We were hoping for 150 boats so we were quite pleased with the way things turned out. The large number of boats entered means more money for the charities that we are representing, and that’s what it’s all done for anyway.”

The event experienced some of the worst weather seen during tournament week with southwesterly winds blowing 20-25 knots and a slow cold front which moved through at the end of the week. The crews persevered through the rough weather catching blue marlin and releasing 54 billfish.

The Diamond Girl, captained by Denard Harris of Spartenburg, SC, won the 1989 tournament with a fish he boated on Friday of the tournament. Justin Conder of Columbia, SC, was the angler.

Their win took home over $100,000 in prize money.

The Andrea Grace III, captained by Steve Stroud, took second place with a 444 pound blue marlin. The angler was Reid Jones, Jr. The Sea Merchant, captained by Bruce Armstrong, took third with a 342 pound blue marlin. The angler was Darryl Morgan. The previous year Andrea Grace III won third place, and the Sea Merchant won second.

A record purse of $232,500 was recorded. Donations of $30,000 were given to The Ronald McDonald House, Newport Developmental Center, Station Club and The Billfish Foundation.

Dr. Leroy Allen

1989 Record 177 boats The tournament was dedicated to Dr. Leroy Allen for his love of fishing and dedication to the sport

First place winner takes home over $100,000 in prize money

38 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Capt. Howard Basnight landed this 1002 pound blue marlin caught in August of 1989 near Morehead City, NC. The angler was Will Grant.

WINNER

1989

513 pounds DIAMOND GIRL Denard Harris Charleston, SC

1990

NC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Conservation Series established

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he mandatory entry fee was increased to $500 per boat to increase the prize money in that category.

A new event, the Sunday pig picking was held at Town Creek Marina. This event replaced the boat parade which had become somewhat disruptive to the Morehead City Waterfront.

The total cash purse grew to $228,300 with Top Dawg receiving $113,150 for first place. Governor Carroll Campbell, SC, who was on the winning boat in 1989 returned to present the check to Top Dawg. Of note, fourth place went to the Temptress, captained by Chip Shafer, for $40,260. The angler was Kathy Keel who would later win the tournament in 1993 aboard the Chaser and hold the record fish at 759 pounds for the next seven years. The tournament paid five places in 1990.

A grand total of 68 billfish were released—35 blue marlin, 28 white marlin and 5 sailfish. Fifteen blue marlin were boated with only 9 qualifying for prizes. Only 2 white marlin were boated during this tournament.

The success of the 1989 tournament allowed the Big Rock Board of Directors to donate $31,000 to charity.

In I the fall of 1990, Big Rock board member Dale Ward and the Director of North Carolina Marine Fisheries, Dr. Bill Hogarth, estabD lished the North Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Conservation li li Series.

The Governor’s Cup and those tournaments associated with it S led le the way in the tag and release program along with an increase in le size s minimums for fish landed.

WINNER

1990

717 pounds TOP DAWG Dub Jones Seabrook Island, SC

After long-time board member and past winner Dr. Tennant Teeter A er resigned, the directors nominated Dew Forbes to replace him in r November of 1990.

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1990 First year for NC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Conservation Series

Total cash purse grows to $228,300

The Th T he Big Biig Rock B Rocckk Blue Ro Blue lue Marlin lu Marrlliin Ma n Tournament Toou u urn rnam rn ameen nt 50th 5500th th Anniversary Ann nniver iver iv erssaary ry 3 399

1991

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s McDonald’s ended their benevolent giving, Ben Moore of Outer Banks Outfitters took over the major sponsorship and offered the tournament new advertising opportunities in their widely published catalog. This significant sponsorship set the stage for many other industry leaders to join the sponsorship line up.

As the tournament purse grew, so did requests from worthy organizations. The board decided to set up a charity committee to review requests for each tournament year and make the difficult decisions necessary for charitable giving.

The minimum size requirements were changed.

“Only fish weighing 300 lbs. or more or 100 inches or more in length will be eligible for prize money.” This decision was 100 lbs. more than current federal regulations.

A total of seven tournaments were selected to participate in the first ever North Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfish Series and after the season, the series was commended for its first year’s success.

On Tuesday of tournament week, the Locomocean weighed in what would stand as the winning blue marlin and take home $117,475 for first place. The leader board moved continuously throughout the week including another weigh in from Locomocean on the last day. That fish WINNER 1991 was 395 pounds, 17 pounds too light to make the leader board.

637 pounds LOCOMOCEAN Second place went to Sea Merchant of Atlantic Beach Jimmy Zeigler with a 543 pound fish earning the crew $65,485. The Richmond, VA angler was Elaine Loggins, and the captain was Bruce Armstrong. Third place was won

by Bounty Hunter of Nags Head taking home $42,990.

Charitable contributions totaled $32,000 for the year.

In the fall of 1991, Howard Basnight and Roger Crowe joined the board of directors.

1991 Outer Banks Outfitters comes on board as Major Sponsor Blue marlin minimum increased to 300 pounds or more or 100 inches or more

40 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

1992

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fter years of volunteer work and inadequate office space, the Big Rock obtained a permanent office and hired part-time director Kim Bennett. Kim had previously served as a subcontractor/marketing consultant for Big Rock since 1987 with her firm Bennett, Hill and Hill and later Carolina Tomorrow.

The commitment by the board to hire a director set the tournament on an upward spiral.

In addition to the new office space, The Big Rock obtained a new weigh station site on the Morehead City Waterfront next to Lucky’s Seafood on Evans between 5th and 6th Streets.

This site provided the tournament with a prominent position for weigh ins at the docks.

During the tournament, Big Rock’s own board member Billy Kornegay released a blue marlin with a NMFS tag in place aboard his boat the Sugar Bear. His crew retrieved that tag and replaced it with a tag of their own sending the NMFS tag to Miami to help with the new tag and release program study.

The Outlaw, captained by Steve “Creature” Coulter, weighed in their fish on Tuesday and held on to the lead to win a check for $114,775. The angler was Bob Smith. Ken Miller of Rocky Mount, the owner of the boat, could not make the first day of fishing and left it up to his crew to decide whether or not to go.

Second place went to Peggy Sue, a Cary boat captained by Mike Hatcher who took home $63,865 for their 473 pound fish caught on Monday. Third place went to the Miss Audrey, a Morehead City boat captained by Terry Davis of 70 West Marina.

They weighed in a 462 pound blue marlin to take home $41,910.

WINNER

1992

514 pounds OUTLAW Bob Smith Hatteras, NC

The purse totaled $264,550. A total of 133 billfish were released and 15 were brought to the dock.

This raised the tournament’s release rate to 90%.

The board of directors donated $30,000 to charity after the tournament’s end.

1992 Big Rock obtained a permanent office e and hired parttime director Kim Bennett

The TheBig BigRock Rock k Blue Blue l Marlin Marlin li Tournament TTournament50th 50th h Anniversary AAnniversary i 441 41

1993

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arly billfish catches indicated the fishing would be spectacular as the excitement of the tournament escalated.

A gamefish category was added back to the tournament after a long absence. The board decided to bring it back since the NC Governor’s Cup was already weighing gamefish during the tournament. This addition ended up adding $24,440 to the purse for a total record purse of $291,840.

The board continued is conservation effort by keeping the minimum weight of 300 lbs. as a tournament rule which was 100 lbs. above the federal government blue marlin minimum.

Edenton angler Kathy Keel aboard the Chaser, captained by Randy Fagley, landed the tournament record fish on Tuesday of tournament week, holding on to win a record first place prize of $128,950. On Saturday the leader board changed when the Whopper Stopper captained

by Kenny Lohr of Morehead City brought in a 505 pound blue marlin and the Beagle, capWINNER 1993 tained by Don Gergley of Hatteras, brought in a 471 pound blue marlin for second and 759 pounds third place, respectively.

CHASER Kathy Keel A total of $25,000 was donated to various Edenton, NC charities.

1993 Record fish of 759 pounds landed by angler Kathy Keel

Gamefish category reinstated

The Beagle took home 3 checks for 1993 with $9480 in the First and Second Place Tuna division and third place blue marlin.

42 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

1994

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ear-round management and a long-standing board of directors continued to propel Big Rock into a major sportfishing event. Tournament Director, Kim Bennett, worked hard to achieve the goals and desires of the board. Her efforts in sponsorship packaging and marketing provided a strong base that the tournament would continue to use for years to come.

A Big Rock Media Day was held at 8-1/2 Marina in Atlantic Beach to host area media writers with a cookout and fishing trip the following morning.

A new Level III was added with a $5000 entry fee for the ’94 event. This addition would set the stage for a new record of 197 boats entering the 1994 tournament and offer participants a record cash purse of $549,910.

The first day of fishing was kind to board member Billy Kornegay aboard the Sugar Bear. His angler Jack Jordan brought a 385 pound blue marlin to the scales, but was bumped off the leader board later in the week.

On the second day of the tournament week the Salty Fare brought in what would become the winning fish at 649 pounds worth a cash prize of $256,525. The fish was badly gaffed but tournament rules committee members decided that the catch would stand.

On Wednesday of tournament week, the unspeakable happened. A veteran mate, Chris Bowie of Ocean City, MD, was pulled overboard while wiring a blue marlin in preparation for a tag and release. U.S. Coast Guard and Navy helicopters and cutters were deployed to the area following the incident to search for the missing body. Following a 72 hour search directed by the Coast Guard the body was not found. Tournament fishing vessels in the area also assisted in the effort.

WINNER 1994

The Big Rock Board of Directors immediately set up a trust fund for his wife and unborn daughter making a contribution themselves of $10,000. The heart breaking tragedy shook the entire industry and spawned newer safety procedures and devices for offshore fishing. The board unanimously voted to dedicate the 1995 tournament to Chris.

649 pounds SALTY FARE Bob Warren

The tournament did continue that week, but the desire and competitive spirit of its participants had been broken for a long while.

The highest release rate to date was recorded at 91% with 48 blue marlin, 36 white marlin and 5 sailfish released.

A total of $40,000 was donated to worthy charities including the Chris Bowie Memorial Fund, Newport Developmental Center, NC Aquarium, Take a Kid Fishing, the Billfish Foundation, and Lineberger Cancer Center.

1994 The highest release rate to date was recorded at 91% with 48 Blue Marlin, 36 White Marlin and 5 Sailfish released.

A new Level III was added with a $5000 entry fee The T Th he Big Biig Rock B Roock R ck Blue Bllu ue Marlin Maarrllin M in Tournament Tou ou urn rnam rn ameen n ntt 50th 5500th 0th th Anniversary Ann nniv iver erssaarryy 43 43

1995

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he Sea Striker a boat owned by Adrian Holler of Morehead City won the 1995 tournament with their catch of a 400 pound blue marlin, taking home $317,873 in prize money. Second place went to the Osprey of Ocracoke, NC, with a 387 pound fish and winning $77,290.

Third place went to the Wahoo of Greenville, NC, with a 382 pound fish and winning $50,802. Fourth place was won by the Miss Judy of Atlantic Beach, NC, and because they were in all levels and the two boats ahead of them were not, they took home $113,435.

With only four blue marlin being weighed, fifth place would not be paid out.

The board approved the plans for a Skipper’s Memorial to be erected on the east side of Captain Bill’s restaurant. This memorial would honor outstanding skippers who had made the waterfront an internationally recognized entity. The memorial was built by The Big Rock Tournament and other contributors.

Sixty-eight billfish were caught, four blue marlin were weighed in. Another record purse of $595,180 with $29,000 donated to charity.

WINNER

1995

400 pounds SEA STRIKER Rex Johnson

1995 Plans for a Skipper’s Memorial approved

44 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

In the fall of 1995, the board of directors published their mission statement for charitable giving: 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

1996

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he cost of events and running the tournament had increased drastically due to growth and increased participation. Directors decided to the raise Level I entry fee from $500 to $750 and Level IV gamefish to $250 to cover some of the growing expenses.

Jim Bailey worked hard with the NC Railroad to sublease ten slips on the Morehead City waterfront. The slips were secured to promote the charter industry and establish a future weigh station area.

Another record cash purse of $743,725 was achieved for the 38th Annual Big Rock Tournament. With the increased purse, the board was able to donate a record $54,000 to worthy organizations.

In first place, The Girl Next Door, captained by Stan Szewcyzk, won $350,350. Second place went to Forty Something, captained

by Dale Britt, with a 527 pound blue marlin. The angler was Kevin Albertson. Third place was won by Bull Frog of Buxton, NC, captained by Bob Eakes. The angler was Kurt Grashier. They took home $177,990.

There were 182 boats entered in the event. They had 109 releases that included 23 sailfish, 41 blue marlin, 44 white marlin and 1 spearfish.

With the growing purse, the board decided to polygraph participants in the first three places in the blue marlin category.

Outdoor Life Network produced a 30 minute special that aired on national television promoting the tournament and Carteret County. A total of $55,500 was donated to charity for 1996.

WINNER

1996

535 pounds THE GIRL NEXT DOOR Russell Orenstein

1996 First 3 places in blue marlin category required to take polygraphs 10 slips leased at Big Rock Landing

Outdoor Life Network Television crew poses with Tournament representatives.

The 30 minute show featuring the Big Rock aired 4 times during the fall of ‘96 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 45

1997

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n May of 1992 the board of directors voted to join the newly formed World Billfish Series. The Big Rock would become the fifth tournament, along with Tahiti, St. Thomas, Cabo San Lucas and one other undetermined tournament, to make up the series. The actual series would begin in the 1998 season.

Weather was rough on the first day, but calmed for the remaining portion of the week. Anglers caught an overwhelming 24 billfish during the 1997 tournament, lowering the release rate for the year to 75%.

The new $500 release category level and more boats entering the $5000 Level III helped propel the purse to another record high of $847,725. However, entries only totaled 182 boats which was 16 less than the previous year.

Sponsor boat Ocean Yachts took over first place on Friday of the tournament knocking Honey Hush, a Morehead City boat owned by Bob Warren and captained by Chuck Lindner to second place with a 632 pound blue marlin. Sea Striker, captained by Adrian Holler, moved to third with their second blue marlin of the tournament, a 570 pound blue marlin caught by angler Jim Bradke. The Sea Striker had also weighed in a 431 pound blue on Monday of the tournament when rough seas kept most of the participants at the docks.

With the success of the sponsorship drive and a record purse, a whopping $101,000 was donated to 12 local and state charities.

In September of 1997 Kim Bennett submitted her resignation to the board of directors. The board acknowledged her commitment and hard work throughout the years with a thank you dinner held at the Magnolia Café. The board interviewed several candidates to fill the vacant position and, after much consideration, hired Crystal Lumpkin as the new tournament director.

Al Behler and Connie Hutchins of X-press Publications put up the first web page http://www.thebigrock.com, which included the rules and information about dockage space during the tournament and highlighted winners at the end of the tournament.

WINNER

1997

646 pounds OCEAN YACHTS 48 Norm Schaeffler Virginia Beach, VA

1997 997 Crystal Lumpkin accepts position of Tournament Director Big Rock becomes 2nd leg of World Billfish Series

46 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

The Early History of Morehead City Marlin Fishing

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By Bob Simpson

little searching into the history of today’s immensely successful, and now world famous, Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament will find its roots growing out of a little remembered, relatively short lived, but extremely effective organization know as the Fabulous Fishermen.

The Fab Fishermen consisted of a loosely organized group of charter boatmen, ocean and inland fishing piers, marinas and a handful of far sighted businessmen formed for the sole purpose of promoting the fabulous fishing potential that existed along the Carolina Coast.

Its founders were Bob and Mary Simpson. They were both World War Marine Corps veterans, free-lance writers and photographers living aboard their boat, Silver Spray, tied up at the Morehead City Yacht Basin. Bob worked a short time for the Carteret County News-Times before being recalled for active duty during the Korean War. Upon returning to civilian life, he attended the University of Miami where he majored in journalism school and marine sciences. Bob and Mary considered Morehead their home as they repeatedly toured the waterways between the Florida Keys and Virginia, in time becoming so well acquainted with the waterways that the Inland Waterway Guide asked them to serve as their representatives. About this same time, Jim Emmet, an Outdoor Life editor, was encouraging them to write of their waterway adventures for publication in various national boating magazines.

Aware of North Carolina’s Carteret County and it’s untapped potential, during the mid to early 1950’s, they teamed up with Jerry Schumacher, Morehead’s most gifted photographer. Going to work on the waterfront, they took fishing and news photographs and submitted pictures and stories, along with local fishing reports, to regional newspapers. Their stories were so well accepted, that they soon were providing radio and television reports to over 144 local, state and national media outlets.

The Simpsons realized that the waters off Cape Lookout held some of the greatest undiscovered fishing potential to be found along the east coast. They suggested local sports fishermen and charter boatmen unite to form, under the name the Fabulous Fishermen’s Club, a loose knit group of

assorted interests. Dues were $10.00 a year. They asked B. J. White (Rowanne’s grandfather) the owner/operator of White Fishing Pier, located alongside the Newport River Bridge, to serve as the first president.

By 1954 the club had grown to boast a membership of 30 charter boats, 8 ocean piers, 2 inside or sound side piers, 1 yacht basin and a host of individual sponsors. Their trademark, as shown on their flag, consisted of two inverted fish hooks with mullet forming a double “F”. The Simpsons by their own insistence never held any office, --their job was to provide publicity.

The clubs earliest program was to offer cash prizes for the biggest fish of a dozen or more species to be officially weighed in on a set of certified scales set up alongside Capt.

Bill’s restaurant. On this original site the present “Skippers Roster Memorial: stands.

Various “experts” over the years had insisted there was no appreciable number of marlin off the Carolina coast, however, contrary to the thinking of these authorities, history records at least one blue marlin that had been boated off Oregon Inlet in 1938. An occasional sailfish had also been landed in the Morehead area, but it was not until George Bedsworth in the late 1950’s, fishing his Dolphin, actually brought in the port’s first known white marlin, that such thinking began to change. It didn’t hurt that the year following George bringing in his white that the remains of a dead blue marlin washed ashore on Atlantic Beach. Capt Ottis Purifoy proudly displayed the decaying remains at his Lucky 7 charter boat docks.

Wheels began turning. Soon after the decaying fish was found, during a mid-morning coffee break at the Sanitary, members of the Fabulous Fishermen’s “board of directors” turned their discussion to the potential of marlin being offshore. Attending were: Tom Potter, club president and oil dealer, George Stovall, manager of Carolina Power and Light, Dick Parker, auto dealer, Jerry Schumacher, photographer, Ted Garner, restaurateur and Hubert Fulcher, charter boat skipper. During this meeting Simpson suggested raising a prize or purse for anyone who landed Carteret County’s first blue marlin. They agreed they’d toss $25 each into a prize purse, collectable only if a marlin were actually caught and brought to the docks.

(Continued on page 69) The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 47

1998

T

he Big Rock proudly dedicated its 40th annual tournament to Dick Parker, one of the first businessmen to help fund The Fabulous Fishing Club which came to be known as The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. He appropriately attended the mid-week ceremony during the 1998 event celebrating the tournament’s first $1,000,000 dollar purse. When asked what he would like to say, Mr. Parker just commented, “Let’s keep it going.”

The first annual Lady Angler Tournament began on the Saturday prior to the week of fishing. The tournament was established to benefit local women’s charities.

The Hatterascal, based out of New Bern, won the ladies tournament with 3 white marlin releases. A total of 21 boats entered the inaugural event and raised $5250 which was donated to Carteret General Hospital. The hospital dedicated the funds for a new neoprobe machine, a devise used for non-invasive breast cancer detection.

In order to encourage more releases, the Big Rock board of directors raised the minimum weight for blue marlin to 400 lbs. or 110 inches. The new minimum, and the addition of more money in the release level, raised the release rate in 1998 back up to 90%.

On the first day of the tournament, 179 boats fished. Home Office, a Greenville based boat, was the first to weigh in a blue marlin at 452 pounds. The next day Hunter, a Hatteras based boat captained by Walt Spruill, took the lead with a 474 pound blue and held it until Friday. Salty Fare, captained by Watson Caviness, brought in a 503 pound fish, and the Citation, captained by Fred Parsons, brought in a 486 pounder to shake up the leader board.

Dick Parker

WINNER

1998

564 pounds WASTE KNOT Karl Knudsen Raleigh, NC

1998 “It’s almost as fun to lose in the Big Rock as it is to win, but how would I know?”

-Lonnie Poole, Waste Knot 1995 quote prior to his win in 1998

Blue marlin minimum weight raised to 400 lbs. or 110 inches 40th Annual art auctioned at Award’s Banquet bringing $14,000 for charity.

48 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

First Annual Lady Angler Tournament was held sponsored

by Jarrett Bay

Purse reaches $1,000,000 for the first time

Cash Purse Reaches $1,000,000 At 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, the Waste Knot, a boat owned by board member Lonnie Poole, pulled into the weigh station with a 564 pound blue that would change the leader board again. At first the team questioned whether they would even be able to get back to the dock after running out of fuel eight miles from the scales, but Poole persisted, and the boat did eventually pull in under its own power.

As the fish was hoisted, everyone noticed the angler Karl Knudsen had a black eye. “The real fight began when we got that fish in the cockpit,” Knudsen said. “The fish came alive again and started jumping all over the place. It was crazy.”

Nonetheless the crew was able to contain the fish and win the tournament just before the weigh station closed.

A record 206 boats fished the tournament which allowed the board to donate $137,750 to charity.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 49

1999 T

he National Marine Fisheries Service released its new minimum for blue marlin at 99 inches (lower jaw, fork length) and 1 fish per vessel per trip.

Only 17 boats entered the Jarrett Bay sponsored Lady Angler Tournament, and due to rough weather, a mere 10 boats headed to the Gulf Stream on Saturday morning fighting the seven foot seas. The small number of entrants still allowed the tournament to give $4500 to the Coastal Heritage Studies Program at Cape Lookout High School.

Big Rock entrants fished hard the first two days of the tournament.

Calcutta, Hunter, Strike II and Triton II all weighed in fish. Strike II captained, by Tommy Cottle, took the lead with a 487.5 blue marlin.

Scattered rain showers, thunderstorms and otherwise miserable weather, not to mention the remains of tropical storm Arlene just miles offshore, kept most boats at the docks on Wednesday. Magic Moment, captained by David Barber, weighed in the only fish that day but missed the leader board by just 14.5 pounds.

On Thursday Dancin Outlaw, captained by Thomas Wood, brought in a 600 pound blue marlin with a short fight of just 37 minutes.

David Wood, Thomas’s brother, was the angler.

On Friday Ole Blue Too IV, captained by Bobby Clarkson, brought in a 526.5 pound fish to take second place. The angler was Sean Flynn.

About three minutes before fishing time was called, long-time captain Steve “Creature” Coulter called in a hook up as the anxious crew on Dancin’ Outlaw waited at tournament headquarters. It was a few nail biting minutes before the call was clarified as a gamefish, and the celebration began. Dancin’ WINNER 1999 Outlaw took home $472,750 for their first place win.

600 pounds Scarlet Fever, captained by Will Whitley of Winston-Salem, won the top release prize of $43,475 DANCIN’ OUTLAW David Wood for being the first boat to release three billfish.

Harkers Island, NC

1999 NMFS releases minimum for blue marlin at 99 inches fork length $50,000 was donated to the Governor’s Relief Fund for Hurricane Floyd victims 50 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

The tournament celebrated a record boat count of 220 entrants with a total purse of $1,069,000. The release rate was 93% with 103 fish released—53 blue, 36 white and 14 sail.

Eight blue marlin were weighed in.

In the fall the board donated $50,000 to the Governor’s Relief Fund for the victims of Hurricane Floyd. A record total of $167,500 was donated to charity for the year.

Artist Be Forbes nal art donated his origi n for io ct au at ld that so $8,000

Having a Dream Come True By: David R. Wood, Dancin Outlaw

Every little child that plays with a ball in the back yard dreams of winning a World Series or the Super Bowl.

I feel as if I have won more than that. Winning the Big Rock with my brother, Thomas Wood, has to be the most special memory that I could ever dream of sharing with him. Not bad for a couple of boys who grew up in the mountains of West Virginia. I can’t explain how happy it makes me to see all of Thomas’s hard work pay off from year to year. I will never forget the memories of winning with the Dancin Outlaw crew and the late Stuart Wilde.

How could anyone forget Dale Ward yelling 600 lbs at the top of his voice. I look forward to being part of the 50th Big Rock this June. Thanks for the memories and making this kids dream come true.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 51

2000

I

Big Rock gets a new home

n March of 2000, the board of directors moved its permanent office and weigh station to 405 Evans Street in Morehead City. The expanded facility would offer increased efficiency for tournament staff and give more exposure to the public. It was a dream fulfilled to finally have a year-round presence on the waterfront.

The release prize and the mandatory entry fee were combined to encourage participants to release more fish. Daily release prizes were also added including $2000 for the first release of the day and $4200 for the 42nd fish released during the tournament. Other rule changes included tag sticks not to exceed 96 inches and more points awarded for blue marlin releases. The point change would align with the North Carolina Governor’s Cup Series point schedule.

Anser-Quick offered the Big Rock tower space to place an antenna for offshore communications. The communication allowed the office to know instantly when a boat was hooked-up or if a fish was onboard. This new benefit drastically changed the news delivery to media personnel and propelled the website, now hosted by NCCOAST Communications, to a new dimension.

Big Rock Media Director Bruce Paul took the tournament to the next level but getting mass coverage from TV stations in our viewing area and across the country. Printed articles ran in Miami, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Savannah, GA, and obtained more sidebar stories such as economic impact and fish research. His determination and media politics through the years helped put Big Rock on the map.

The Lady Angler Tournament registration grew to 28 boats and $7250 of the entry fees was donated to charity. The crew of Delta Dawn, captained by Pete Manuel, won the tournament. The team was happy about WINNER 2000 their win but more excited to discuss something else. “We had a great day, but the most exciting thing about our trip was the estimated 850 pound fish that hit our bait around 12:30 p.m.,” 831 pounds explained Manuel. “Maybe somebody, hopefully us, will catch that fish next week.”

SUMMERTIME BLUES Ron Wallschlager What a prediction that was. On Thursday Summertime Blues with Captain Al Johnson and Kiawah Island, SC angler Ron Wallshlager, brought in a whopping 831 pound blue marlin that eventually won the

2000

Big Rock moves in to new tournament headquarters

T-shirt art

52 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

tournament. The fish measured 127 inches in length and 71 inches in girth and remains the largest fish ever weighed in during the event. The Associated Press picked up the story of the record catch and the big story was distributed across the United States.

“I’m going to tell you it was all (that) four guys could do to get that fish aboard,” said Wallshlager. “We’re just thrilled to death.” That big fish won the crew $463,300. Captain Al Johnson, familiar with winning fish, was the mate aboard Top Dawg when they won in 1990 with a 717 pound blue, and he was a member of the crew when the Outlaw won in 1992.

Second place went to the Gambler, captained by Steve Garrett, with a 566 pound blue marlin. The boat, whose catch would have won 30 of the previous Big Rock tournaments, earned $272,980.

Of note, the Morehead City based boat Tom & Jerry, captained by Tom Talton, finished third in the release division to capture $13,320. Tom, 82, had fished every Big Rock since the competition began in 1957.

A total of 196 boats fished the tournament, and 9 fish were weighed in. The release rate was 93% with 59 blue, 49 white and 16 sail. The purse continued to be over a million at $1,063,850. Charity donations totaled $102,500.

Larry Larr La rrrry ry McCa Mc M McCarter cCart Caart rterr jjoined rter o ne oi ed the th he tournament tour to urrn u naame ame ment nt iin nt n2 20 2000 000 00 aand n rremained nd em maaiine ned the artist for the next six years. He donated his art and time to Big Rock and spent each day at the weigh station. sp His contributions riibu ribu utiion o s totaled well over $50,000 to the Big Rock Foundation.

FFo oun unda dati d ati tiion tion on. on n.

Bruce Paul, Media Director

New tower allows for offshore communications

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 53

2001

A

s the 43rd annual tournament prepared to begin, an unusual request was made by the Carolina Princess. An unnamed Wayne County resident and his fishing buddies had hired “The Princess,” captained

by James “Woo-Woo” Harker, to fish the tournament; however, the height of the boat didn’t qualify based on the current tag stick rule length. The board took it under consideration and amended the tag stick rule to accommodate the height of the Carolina Princess from the water. This was the first time the boat had ever fished the tournament.

On Saturday the 4th Annual Jarrett Bay Lady Angler Tournament brought in a record 34 boats and donated $8500 to charity. Though the one-day release tournament was plagued with bad weather, all teams involved were happy to participate.

The boat Honey Hush won the tournament with their sailfish release by angler Michelle Quillen.

New Bern-based company boat, the Hatterascal, weighed a 454 pound fish on Monday, the first day of the tournament, but the boat was quickly knocked to second place after Tuesday’s competition. The boat, captained by Terry Stansel, fished many tournaments across the United States as a Hatteras Yachts demo and therefore only entered the mandatory level. The fish would hold on to win second place but take home the small guaranteed purse of $12,400.

On Tuesday past winner Adrian Holler aboard his 61-foot Jarrett Bay brought in what would remain the leader and win the tournament. Sea Striker angler Vince Johnston of Morehead City landed the fish in just under an hour to win his crew what would turn out to be the largest prize in Big Rock history, a whopping $942,100. With only one other fish qualifying in the tournament at the Level I guaranteed money, the remaining purse went to the first place fish.

This was the most the Sea Striker had ever won but not his first time at the scales. Holler finished second in the 1986 Big Rock when the 603 pounder his crew landed was bumped out of the top spot by the 608.5 pounder caught on the Shearwater. He finished third in 1988 before winning in 1995. He also took third in 1997. “It sure feels good to be back at the weigh station again,” Holler commented.

2001 A record 34 boats fished the Lady Angler Tournament

Carolina Princess fishes the tournament for first time

54 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Renowned artist Guy Harvey donates original art for the 43rd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

With 10 foot waves, the remnants of tropical storm Allison kept most boats at the dock on Wednesday and Thursday. However, one of the few boats that fished, appropriately named Outer Limits, did tag a white marlin at 12:26 on Thursday to claim the daily prize of $2000 and the only release of that day.

The additional money in the release division had substantially increased the purse. Diamond Girl, captained by David Barber, won the release division with two blue marlin and a take home of $45,225.

At the Saturday awards banquet, Tom Talton was given a plaque to commemorate the fact that he had fished in every Big Rock.

The T Th he total boats ttallied ta all llii 201 for the 43rd 443 3rd d annual event, and n only nd on nlly 3 fish ffiish s were wer ere weighed in. With 19 blue marlin, 18 we w eiigg white wh w h hii marlin and 10 sailfish weighed in, the th he release rate was 94%. The total purse was wa w as $1,104,000, and $115,000 donated to charity. ch ha

WINNER

2001

515.5 pounds SEA STRIKER Vince Johnston Morehead City, NC

I

n 2001 Adrian Holler and his team fished on the way up to Hatteras on Sunday prior to the tournament week. They noticed a rumbling sound they believed to be “worn out” cutlass bearings and decided to take a layday on Monday, the first day of the tournament, to haul out at Jarrett Bay to change the cutlass bearings.

Often times, when crews are not catching fish or have extra noise in the boat, they worry the bearings may be making some particular noise that give their boat an undesirable “hum.”

Adrian’s intuition proved, correct and he brought in the winning fish on the second day of Big Rock. “It may have been just a coincidence,” exclaimed Adrian. “I just know the next year a whole bunch of boats changed their cutlass bearings right before tournament season,” he continued.

At the awards banquet, prior to giving Adrian the big check, Randy Ramsey presented Adrian with a shop made cutlass bearing “lure!”

The Th T he Big Biig Rock B Roock R ck Blue Bllu ue Marlin Maarrllin M in Tournament Tou ou urn rnam rn ameen n ntt 50th 5500th 0th th Anniversary Ann nniv iver erssaarryy 55 55

2002 D

aily gamefish prizes were added to the lineup in the 44th annual tourney giving participants over 25 ways to win money in the event.

Larry McCarter returned as the official artist for the 44th Annual Big Rock donating a piece of art whose proceeds would be donated The Big Rock Foundation.

By raising the entry fee to $500, the 5th Annual Lady Angler Tournament sponsored by Jarrett Bay Boatworks offered competitors a first ever cash purse to go with their charitable contribution. The entry fee would be split, half for the charity and the other half for a billfish release/gamefish purse in 2002. However, rough seas kept over half of the registered participants at port, and payout went to the gamefish portion only. The remaining billfish portion was rolled over to 2003. A total of 24 boats entered the tournament, and $6000 was donted to charity.

On Monday the Samanna captured the early lead with a 541.5 pound blue marlin. The boat, captained by Huck Harriss, saw other fish at the dock during the week, but none would take the lead.

The boat First Down Pirates called in a boated blue on Monday, but never made it into port until nearly midnight. Their controversial fish would not be weighed because the length was below the federal minimum of 99 inches fork length. Later, state fisheries officials would list the fish as 93.75 inches and ticket the captain, Hunter Clark, for catching an undersized fish.

Steel Deal, captained by Ron Clemmons, weighed in a 489 pound fish on Tuesday to take second place. Angler Bobby Sauls got a hug from the captain shortly after the weigh station personnel announced the weight of their fish. Clemmons told reporters that Sauls was “the pro who put his boat in position to win a lot of money.”

The Winston-Salem-based Scarlett Fever, captained by Will Whitley, landed a 437 pound blue marlin on Thursday to grab third WINNER 2002 place in the overall standings. They managed to hold on to that position 541.5 pounds and received a check for $ 313,710.

SAMANNA Kent Copeland Since the Samanna crew did not Kill Devil Hills, NC enter the Bertram Level III division of the tournament, the lion’s share

2002 First year for daily gamefish prizes giving participants 25 ways to win money in the tournament

56 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

of the prize money, $471,565, went to the Steel Deal. The Samanna crew was happy with their win, though, and took home a check for $141,775.

“Everybody’s talking about the money right now, but the money’s not where it’s at,” commented captain of the Samanna, Huck Harriss. “When it comes down to it, it’s about the win. We’re going to go down in history as the top boat in a tournament that’s known worldwide. To be a winner of the Big Rock, to beat 188 other boats, that carries prestige with it forever.

I couldn’t be happier.”

Great Escape, with captain Robb Mothershed, took home the first place release prize of $42,525 with four blue marlin releases.

In all, the tournament had 189 boats and 5 blue marlin were brought to the dock. The release rate was 95%—54 blue marlin, 39 white marlin and 11 sailfish for a total of 104 billfish that were released. The total purse was $1,109,950, and charity donations were $111,000.

Tournament artist Larry McCarter prepares ske tches for board review.

In early October, the Big Rock and North Carolina lost a champion. Dale Ward, director of the North Carolina Governor’s Cup Series, passed on October 4, 2002, after putting up a valiant fight against cancer. Although very ill, he had the stamina and desire to participate in the 2002 tournament as the weigh master.

Dale would be remembered for his booming voice as he called out the weight of a blue marlin from the scales and for the respect that was given each captain when Dale requested “permission to come aboard” before he measured the boated fish. Dale had served on the board of directors for more than 20 years, participated and served on the board of Take A Kid Fishing and is credited for starting the North Carolina Governor’s Cup Series in the state.

““Dale l Ward d was a pillar ill off all ll good d things hi iin the he fishing community and his contributions will live in our hearts and minds forever.”

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 57

2003

I

n the wake of Dale Ward’s death in 2002, the board of directors decided to create a T-shirt in Dale’s honor and donated the proceeds to his charities, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America-Carteret County and The Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill. The T-shirt art was a painted photo created by artist Mandy Johnson and it raised $20,000 for the two worthy organizations.

The Big Rock board of directors took additional steps toward billfish conservation. In 2003 additional release points were awarded for using circle hooks in lieu of j-hooks. Anglers releasing blue marlin using circle hooks were awarded 640 points versus 400 points for using j-hooks. Releases of white marlin, sailfish, spearfish and hatchett marlin using circle hooks would be awarded 200 points each versus 125 points each using j-hooks.

Additionally the 45th Annual Big Rock Tournament no longer required released billfish to be tagged. A fish would be considered released when a member of the fishing team or a crew member touched the leader. Tagging of billfish was still encouraged, but the board felt that tagging should only be done in situations that did not pose any further harm or stress on the fish.

The board implemented the new rules to improve the odds of a live release and contribute to lowering billWINNER 2003 fish mortality by reducing physical injury to the fish and having the fish in the best possible condition when it is released.

677 pounds PIPE LAYER Circle hooks were included in each seabag and a circle hook rigging station, with Captain J.F. Pedersen, Jr. Daryl Brower demonstrating, was set up at the weigh station to explain rigging techniques to Jim Bedersen interested participants. After all was said and done, no fish were released on circle hooks in Hollywood, SC 2003.

2003 Big Rock makes cover of phone book Release points added for circle hooks

58 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Rough offshore conditions failed to deter the South Carolina based boat Caliente from winning the first ever lady angler billfish purse. The purse, a total of $5,568.75, included a rollover in the billfish division from the 2002 tournament, when no billfish were released. The winners of the gamefish division each received $956.25 The Lady Angler Tournament, now sponsored by RAM JACK, hosted 27 boats enabling the board to donate $6750 on its behalf to Carteret County Domestic Violence and Mindy’s Hoop Clinic.

The board of directors changed the mandatory Level I entry fee to $2000 which would include the release level and daily release prizes.

A photo contest was added for participants with a prize of $100 each day for the best photo during the tournament.

Monday, the first day of fishing, was incredibly slow with no billfish weighed in and the weigh station crew entertained the crowds with gamefish only. The following day was a different story.

A massive eight billfish were weighed in on Tuesday, proving to be one of the wildest days in recent Big Rock history.

Two billfish topped the 600 pound mark, and three others weighed more than 500 pounds as the 45th annual tournament hit full stride.

Of note, Second Chance, a Charlotte-based boat, stayed on top of the leader board on Tuesday with their 603.5 pound fish until late arrival Pipe Layer pulled into the dock at 10:00 p.m. Pipe Layer, captained by J. F. Pedersen, weighed their fish at 677 pounds and took the lead for the rest of the week winning $420,887 at the Saturday awards banquet. Pedersen’s son, Jim Pedersen, was the angler.

When the owner of Second Chance, Henry Keen, first decided to build his boat, it was destroyed by fire. His daughter convinced him to rebuild the boat and he truly got a “second chance” winning second place at the 45th Big Rock and a purse of $247,532.

Third place went to Reel Thrill, an Elon-based boat captained by Teak Bell. They weighed their fish in on Tuesday. Reel Thrill angler J. J. Johnson came out on top after a four hour fight with a 539 pound blue marlin and a take home of $164,355.

Tournament boats totaled 177. There were 69 releases and a release rate of 90%. The boats released 45 blue marlin, 20 white marlin and 4 sailfish. The tournament celebrated another record purse of $1,111,825 and donated $141,750 to charity.

Captain Daryl Brower demonstrates circle hook rigging.

Weigh Master shirt raises $20,000 for charity The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 59

2004

A

new “Winner Take All” category was added for the 2004 tournament. The entry fee for this new level would be $2500 and would give its entire purse to the largest blue marlin weighed in that level.

As the use of circle hooks moved to the forefront, the board continued to adjust the requirements in the tournament. Instead of requiring a certain manufacturer’s circle hook, the rule was amended to read “any hook regarded as a circle hook.”

In an effort to promote circle hooks, the Big Rock teamed up with another NC Governor’s Cup Series tournament, Pirates Cove, offering a grand prize for the team who released the most billfish on circle hooks. The boat had to enter both tournaments to qualify for the all expense paid fishing trip to Club del Sol in Jaco, Costa Rica. The Nags Head based boat Obsession, captained by Jeff Ross, won the contest.

Honey Hush angler Annette Loftin of Swansboro released a blue marlin during the 7th Lady Angler Tournament helping the Honey Hush to become the tournament’s first two-time champion. The crew took home $3081.25 for their win. A total of 29 boats fished the tournament, 5 billfish were released, and $7250 was donated to charity.

The Sunday Pig Pickin’, held annually at Town Creek Marina, had a special surprise for the attendees and participants.

Hatteras Yachts’s first hull built in 1960, the Knit Wits, was on hand for tours.

Fishing was very slow at the beginning of the 46th annual tournament. Nine billfish were released on Monday and 16 on Tuesday.

The action began on Wednesday, though, when all 3 blue marlin weighed in made the leader board. The Impulse, a Morehead City based boat, weighed in first with their 555 pound blue. On the Impulse, angler Jay Hughes brought his 115 inch catch into the boat after a 63 minute fight.

Southern Exposure, a King George, VA-based boat captained by Robert Gollahon, arrived at the scales with a 421.5 pound blue marlin caught by Bob Gollahon, Sr. The father-son team held

2004 New “Winner Take All” category added for the 2004 tournament

The Big Rock Sailfish Challenge was held in the fall

60 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

WINNER

2004

555 pounds IMPULSE Donald Lane, Jr. Jay Hughes Atlantic Beach, NC

Ben Moore, left, presents Chuck Rhodes with a Larry McCarter original upon his resignation. Chuck received Director Emeritus status from the board.

second place until Rumor Mill showed up at the scales with a 454 pounder. The Rumor Mill captain Michael King of Kure Beach and angler Mike Robertson battled their blue marlin in just 20 minutes.

The leaders held their places all week until another last minute hook up stopped the party. Wave Runner, captained by Bruce Pollock, called in a billfish hook up minutes before the competition ended on Saturday. The jubilation ended and silence took over the docks.

Impulse captain Donald Lane remembers it well. “I was holding a champagne glass, and I couldn’t believe it. I never took a sip. I just set the champagne down and had to walk away.”

In the end the fish turned out to be a smaller blue marlin that Wave Runner would release and the three leaders claimed their prizes at that evening’s awards banquet. The Impulse took home $711,375 for first place, Rumor Mill took home $285,825 for second and Southern Exposure in third place received a check for $181,100.

Another record purse was recorded at $1,476,175, and a total of $143,250 was donated to charity. The field included 195 boats and only 3 billfish were landed for a release rate of 95%. A total of 53 billfish were released which included 15 blue marlin, 30 white marlin and 8 sailfish.

The board of directors decided to experiment with a fall tournament and scheduled the first Big Rock Sailfish Challenge, a billfish release tournament with a wahoo category. It was held in late October, and Kyra Moore was hired to co-direct the tournament with year-round Big Rock Director Crystal Watters. The two day tournament was hosted by the Big Rock to boost the shoulder season economy and add to the year’s charitable contributions.

Many local volunteers pitched in to help make the event a success. Heather Brower offered her help as the silent auction coordinator, and, along with her family and other friends, organized and pulled together donated items for a very successful auction. New board member Curtis Strange donated many sports memorabilia items that were the highlight of the auction. Iva Fearing, Boys and Girls Club board member, helped organize the catering for both of the dinners.

Artist Larry McCarter donated an oversized canvas for the live auction, and potter Brent Wheelwright created a one of a kind sailfish tile for the first place winner.

The tournament hosted a total of 36 boats and donated $18,000 each to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Coastal Carolina and Take a Kid Fishing.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 61

2005

B

eaufort angler Beth DiGiuseppe aboard the Town Creek Marina Reveler caught and released her first blue marlin winning the 8th annual Big Rock Lady Angler Tournament and the first place prize of $5,950.

While previous Lady Angler competitions had a history of rough seas and less-than-perfect weather, the 8th Annual Lady Angler Tournament marked the first time the ladies headed offshore with perfect fishing conditions in place. The good weather accounted for the record 56 boats and 16 releases the tournament enjoyed. A total of $14,000 was donated to the local RAAB Oncology clinic.

On Monday, Hatteras charter boat captain Steve Garrett aboard the Gambler brought in the first fish of the 47th annual event. His fish topped the scales at 515.5 pounds. He would not be able to hold first place very long but would move to second place, taking home $249,955 for his win.

A blue marlin weighing 491.5 pounds was brought in on Monday evening but was disqualified citing the lack of a Highly Migratory Species Permit needed for the catch. The tournament regretted the disqualification, but had to make the appropriate rules decision.

“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.”

On Wednesday the brand new Lady Lou V, captained by Paul Spencer weighed in a 500 pound blue marlin to take second place. The current tournament leader was not in all levels, and this status put Lady Lou V in place to potentially win $1,387,375; however, the leader board would quickly change.

For a mid-week break, Big Rock Media Director Bruce Paul held a press conference Wednesday afternoon with new board member and US Open champion, Curtis Strange. He and his crew aboard his boat Lady Sarah had already released two marlin and took time out on Wednesday to answer a few quesWINNER 2005 tions and entertain the press.

529 pounds Thursday, the Wilson-based boat SIZE MATTERS COMMI$$ION$ weighed their Gigi Wagoner catch to take over third place. The Frederick, MD blue marlin weighed in at 489.5 pounds.

2005 Lady Angler Tournament has record 56 boats

62 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

On Friday the winning fish of the 47th annual event was caught by the Maryland-based boat, Size Matters. Angler Gigi Wagoner landed the 529 pound fish to become the fourth lady angler to ever win the tournament. They won $677,800 for their prize catch.

The Dancin’ Outlaw, winner of the 41st Big Rock in 1999, arrived at the scales Saturday afternoon with a blue marlin that topped out at 507 pounds. That was good enough for third place and a change in the standings. The crew was excited to be at the scales again and happily accepted their check of $165,970.

A total of 181 boats entered the tournament, and only 7 billfish were landed. The board was proud of another record purse of $1,378,375 and charitable donations raised in the amount of $110,000. The release rate was 92% which included 24 blue marlin, 51 white marlin and 10 sailfish.

The board of director’s fall planning meeting included the upcoming 50th anniversary tournament. Plans were made for a new 50th logo, upgrading the events, and “how to thank participants.”

Mike Thompson was added to the Big Rock board of directors to fill the vacancy left by Chuck Rhodes.

An article written by Chris Powell of the Wildlife in North Carolina magazine dubbed the Big Rock as the “Super Bowl of Fishing Tournaments.”

Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 63

2006

A

n incredible weather prediction on Saturday helped kick off the 9th Annual Big Rock Lady Angler Tournament with a record shattering 71 boats. Circle hooks made the difference for Hatteras Yachts’ company boat Hatterascal when they released one blue marlin and one sailfish each with a circle hook.

The Hatterascal team edged out the Fin Chaser team who had two blue marlin releases on j-hooks. The Hatterascal crew gained an additional 315 points overall for using hooks that do not inflict the type of collateral damage that j-hooks are known to cause.

The Hatterascal took home $7544 for their win. A total of 24 billfish were released by participants allowing the tournament to donate $17,500 to local charity RAAB Oncology Clinic.

On Monday the Can Do Too took the lead of the 48th annual tournament with a 451.5 pound blue marlin. One undersized fish and a tropical storm kept their lead intact for a short while. Razorback Express, a LaGrange-based boat weighed in a 432.5 pound blue marlin to take second.

Rough seas and rain squalls stemming from tropical storm Alberto forced competitors to stay ashore Wednesday, creating the event’s first “wash out” in more than 20 years. No one could remember a time when every boat entered stayed at the docks.

Skirt Chaser, captained Barry Daniels of Wilmington, brought a 486.5-pound blue marlin to the scales Friday to take over first place. Chuck Walker was the angler. The only other fished weighed in did not meet tournament minimums.

Friday’s gamefish weigh in was extremely exciting as the Reel Time, captained by David Barber, brought a massive 77.9 pound dolphin to the scales. The fish, caught by angler Mark Beckham, was just shy of the state record and was believed to be the largest dolphin ever weighed at the Big Rock Tournament.

The Chainlink, a Goldsboro-based boat captained

by Ralph Griffin of Morehead City, found WINNER 2006 a way to fence off the competition Saturday 501.5 pounds to win the 48th Annual CHAINLINK Big Rock Blue Marlin Wes Seegars Tournament with a 501.5 Goldsboro, NC pound blue marlin that

2006 Lady Angler Tournament has record 71 boats

64 Th 64 T The he Big Big Rock Bi Rock Ro ck Blue ck Blu lue ue Marlin Marl Ma arrllin in Tournament Toou urn rnamen rnam am meen nt 50th 50th 50 h Anniversary Ann nniv iver ver ersaarryy

angler Wes Seegars of Goldsboro, NC, battled for nearly seven hours.

The happy crew of the Chainlink came from behind to win $768,537 from the Big Rock’s record purse of $1,575,048. This is the second Big Rock victory for the Chainlink boat, a 54’ Jarrett Bay. The same boat won the tournament in 1994 when it was named Salty Fare.

The Pisces IV, a Charlotte-based boat captained by Tim McKellips, captured the release division to win $97,170. Calcutta, captained by Joe Monds of Virginia Beach, VA, finished second to receive $52,406.

Anticipation, captained by Mike King of Myrtle Beach, SC, came in third and collected $34,937. All had 800 points and two blue marlin releases, but Pisces IV scored its 800 points first.

The tournament had 189 boats, and 6 blue marlin were weighed in. A 91% release rate was recorded with 40 blue marlin, 18 white marlin and 6 sailfish released. A total of $117,000 was donated to charity.

To encourage smaller boats to participate, the board of directors added an “under 40 ft.” category to the Level I entry fee with a guaranteed purse of $5000.

The board also decided to update the current radio equipment owned by Big Rock and being used by other local tournaments.

The Barta Boys and Girls Club Tournament agreed to split the cost of a new radio with Big Rock.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 65

2007

I

n January of 2007, the Big Rock board of directors elected officers for the Big Rock Foundation board. Officers elected were Ben Moore, President; Mike Thompson, Vice-President; Roger Crowe, Secretary; Tom Bennett, Treasurer.

After the NMFS installed a mandatory circle hook rule effective on January 1, 2007, the rule was postponed in May until January of 2008. However, Big Rock in agreement with the NC Governor’s Cup, required anglers to use circle hooks on anything under 80 lb. test line, 200 lb. test leader. A new more detailed release form was given to participants for the 49th annual event.

Predictions of high winds and rough seas lowered the entries to 55 for the 10th Annual Lady Angler Tournament, but tons of fun was still had by everyone involved. Steel drum band Panama Steel entertained the teams on Friday evening as they all turned out for the event in their best outfits for the “Best Dressed” contest.

Judges had a difficult time deciding, but in the end they gave the winning bid to Job Site fishing team dressed in pink hard hats and fishing attire.

On Saturday O Lucky Me released the first blue marlin to take first place and a winner’s check of $5,843.75. Because no other team released more than one fish, O Lucky Me was lucky indeed.

A total of $13,750 was donated the local RAAB Oncology Clinic from the ladies event.

2007 Pole Position sacrifices day of fishing to assisst with sinking vessel

66 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Wrightsville Beach-based boat Safari brought in the first and only blue marlin on Monday. Their fish weighed in at 473.5 pounds. Even though the fish would have only won one of the last 18 Big Rocks, the team was excited to weigh in and be on the leader board.

On Tuesday a whopping number of blue marlin were released. “It’s the best two days of fishing in many, many years … especially for blue marlin,” commented past president Randy Ramsey. “We had 33 blue marlin today and, by anybody’s standards, that’s outstanding fishing.”

Tournament boat Pole Position sacrificed their day of fishing when a sinking, nontournament boat nearby put in a distress call to the Coast Guard. Pole Position owner Paul Ingle answered the call immediately without hesitation and stayed until the investigation was cleared and the boaters were safe. Many of the other Big Rock participants asked that Pole Position be given a layday, but Ingle refused. “Anybody else would have done the same thing,” he commented. “We just happened to be closest.” The crew was presented with a special certificate from the US Coast Guard at the Saturday evening awards banquet.

On Friday Licketysplit, captained by Bobby Scarborough of Hatteras, took the lead in the 49th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament with a 567 pound fish reeled in by Grimesland angler David Williams. Less than an hour later Maggie, captained by Randy Bryant of Morehead City, arrived at the scales with a 505 pound blue marlin landed by Beaufort angler Butch Bryant.

Two other boats came to the scales Friday with blue marlin catches. Carolina Gentlemen, captained by Skipper Gentry of Morehead City, held third place for 28 minutes with a 422.5 pounder reeled in by Morehead City angler Robbie Willis.

Gentry and crew won the 40-and-under small boat category for $5000 even though they were knocked off the leader board when Maggie arrived at the scales.

South Carolina-based boat Bak Bar fought their fish for six hours on Friday and didn’t make it to the scales until 11:00 p.m. The late hour didn’t deter the crowds as an estimated 2000 people awaited their arrival. As the photographers scrambled for light to photograph the boat, the Morehead City Fire Department lent a hand with two trucks pulling in front of the weigh station using their bright lamps to light the scene.

“We don’t see this kind of community support where we’re from,” said the captain, Tommy Lewis. “This is fantastic.”

The cheers could be heard all over the waterfront as weigh master Randy Gregory screamed the weight at 613 pounds. With no other competition on Saturday, the crew accepted their check at the Saturday evening awards banquet for $800,839 from the event’s $1,568,950 purse.

The Sea Striker, captained by Adrian Holler of Newport, captured first place in the release division with 1,600 points. His angler, Curtis Struyk, Atlantic Beach, had four blue marlin releases, including a Big Rock record three on Wednesday. This put the Sea Striker crew in line to win $92,239.

A total of 184 boats fished in the 49th annual tournament, and only 7 blue marlin were boated. The tournament had excellent fishing with the most releases recorded in recent tournament history—96 blue marlin, 45 white marlin, and 31 sailfish. In all 172 billfish were released with a release rate of 96%.

WINNER

2007

613 pounds BAK BAR Montukie Lewis Mt. Pleasant, SC

(Continued on page 68) The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 67

2007

T

o kick off the 50th Anniversary Celebration, the Big Rock board of directors made the largest one-time donation of $175,000 to the Town of Morehead City for the naming rights of the new stadium being built on Puck O’Neal field.

“The Big Rock board of directors is delighted to make this contribution to the Town of Morehead City for the benefit of its citizens and for all of those who call Morehead City and Carteret County home. The tournament’s actions today represent a tremendous leap in our charitable giving history, a history that we are very proud of, and one that we are committed to continuing.

One of the major tournament goals is to raise money for worthy community projects and this baseball stadium surely fits the bill,” explained Tom Bennett The Big Rock board of directors agreed to make a substantial contribution to the Town of Morehead City during the 50th anniversary year as a gift back to the town for its long-time commitment to sportfishing in Carteret County and to the tournament. The gift to the town represents years of hard work by the board and its staff.

“This gift represents years of effort and dedication by the board of directors, volunteers and staff,” commented Crystal Watters, tournament director. “It is a real blessing to be able to donate this money back to the town for something that will benefit so many of its citizens,” she continued.

The tournament donated a total of $256,750 to worthy organizations in 2007.

Captain Omie Tillet, better known as “Sportsman”, offers prayer each day on the radio for Big Rock participants.

ch on ity provides resear NC State Universan d. nded land in la llin arli ue mar b ue the bl Captain Tom Talto during last year’s n and his lovely wife Jerry tournament.

eigh station e entertains the w Artist Steve Goion49th Annual event along with crowd during the Rick Cowell. emcee volunteer

68 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

“The Big Rock is kind of like having the Super Bowl in your backyard and you can play in it”Greg McCoy

View of boats in front of Big Rock Headquarters waiting their turn to weigh in.

(Continued from page 47)

Mary Simpson volunteered to canvas for donations. It took a lot of convincing, but her argument was basically a bet: “What have you to lose? If none are caught, you get your money back. If one is brought in, the increase in tourism dollars should provide you a very good economic return on the investment.” Her goal was $500.

She had already raised a total of $350 when Bill Olsen, skipper of a private yacht, Willy Wicka, out of the Morehead City Yacht Basin, first heard of the prize monies and immediately headed offshore.

By afternoon all of the waterfront had heard the news. A blue had been boated! Simpson’s antique Lyle Gun* was hauled out of hiding, loaded with a blank charge and, as the boat approached the Yacht Basin docks, the gun was fired.

The ear splitting blast brought dozens of excited citizenry rushing to see what was going on.

One of the first problems was how does one suspend a marlin on a fish rack? The usual way is to hang a fish is by its gills, but marlin weight into the hundreds of pounds, too much for mere flesh to hold – so if you want to confirm that you are seeing an authentic picture of Morehead’s first blue marlin, the photo, aside from the “Photo by Bob Simpson” label will show a marlin hanging tail down.

Before the formal awards celebration, Tony Seaman made arrangements through First Citizens Bank to have (real) silver dollars shipped down from Atlanta. On the night of the celebration, held at the Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant, using a little red wagon donated by Rose Department stores, a total of $350 (real) silver dollars was ceremoniously presented to Bill Olsen, as – “the skipper of the first boat to bring a blue marlin to the Morehead docks.”

Marlin fishing went hog wild the next year even though it was not exclusively a marlin tournament. Each year after and with every succeeding tournament, more and more boats began rigging for the big fish. Boats from up and down the east coast began joining the party. For several years thereafter, whenever a marlin was unloaded at the waterfront, the Lyle cannon would be waiting, to be fired by one of the successful captains, the ear deafening blast would bring hordes of curious tourists to the waterfront, guaranteeing every boat had a charter for the next day.

One of the out of town boats attending the Fabulous Fisherman’s tournament invariably included Capt. Craig and Leaky Davis and their boat Pyramus hailing from Southport and Wilmington area. Pyramus was soon dubbed the “referee” boat, for they were judged being from out of town, therefore they must be more honest than the locals.

During 1960 and 1961 the tournament continued to be held under the auspices of the Fabulous Fishermen, with a separate category reserved exclusively for blue marlin.

In 1962 Bump Styron of Morehead City Yacht Basin took it upon himself to host the Fabulous Fishermen’s Tournament which included a mullet roast. The next year with many more boats participating, he took over the tournament leadership, the yacht basin as the fishing headquarters and the event became known as the “MCYB Blue Marlin Tournament.” (*See shoulder patches). “Big Rock” was now a hallowed word.

In 1963, sixty-four marlin were landed. Nine of those were brought in by A. Lewis on his boat Bunny Two. His prowess was equaled by George Bedsworth, who also landed 9 marlin aboard his boat, Dolphin. Look for the1963 pix of winner Arthur Lewis and mate wearing tux and top hats while their footprints are being molded into concrete after landing the largest of the blue marlin.*(City sanitation officials complained that over five ton of marlin were transported to the Morehead City landfill. This was before tag and release was encouraged.)

During these early years of the marlin fishing frenzy, Bill Caldwell of Wick Chemical Company in Charlotte arranged with the sports director of Charlotte TV station, WSOC to do a film of the fabulous marlin fishing. A documentary film was produced. Five copies were known to have been printed, but no copies seem to be available today.

In 1964 a 427-pound marlin took top honors (weather problems) however many more and larger fish were landed later that year.

The 1965 tournament was held from June 7 - 11, but the Fabulous Fishermen were no longer involved and finally the name was changed in 1973 to the present Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

In a very few years the Blue Marlin Tournament had moved from its purely local identity quickly becoming regional as it grew into the internationally recognized multi-million dollar event it is now.

Of interest, it might be noted that out of 21 blue marlin weighing over 1000 pounds reported caught off the entire east coast, five of these big ones were landed off of North Carolinas shores. (*Lyle gun is a bronzing line-throwing cannon with a two and a half inch bore, the barrel alone weighing over 150 pounds. Using a full charge of black powder it’s recoil will sometimes shove it back over seven feet. The Lyle gun is still available). Virgil Dixon, Fla. told me that he was in charge of the promotion.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 69

Fish Tales

Memories of Big Rock

When the Big Rock Fishes You By: Jason F. Hawkins, Reel Time There are thousands of anglers that have cast thousands of dreams into the mystique of the Big Rock. This formation deep below the ocean blue is one that has lured anglers now, for fifty years. In 2003, a motley group of anglers set sail from Morehead City to answer this alluring call from the Big Rock. Aboard this boat, the Reel Time, weary anglers held steady in their belief that chance would come.

I had met these anglers only the day before, yet we were all bound to the resonating call to fish. To the “East Side” with seas of fury and clouds of threat we pressed. This was an early encounter in my offshore experience, though it proved to be a pivotal one. I recall, as do these men, the sound of a single reel.

The steady scream of gears ringing was like freedom’s call to these anglers. At the other end, a fish, one of epic proportions, fell to the trickery of novices and experts alike. Soon, on the horizon, the fish took to the air and seemingly stopped time. The drama of the strike was only matched by the drama aboard the boat. There was a violent storm wreaking rain and wind on mortal anglers struggling against an immortal fish. There was a failure

of equipment and soon the deck of the boat was ankle deep in the water of the Big Rock; a christening perhaps. I recall distinct moments and quotes that remain with me today. Captain David Barber speaking into the radio telling his wife, “it’s a big one”. I recall the efforts of angler Rick Sykes, saying, “however long it takes, I’m ready”. And I recall the tension, how it mounted, pulsed, and gripped these men. The fish, now, was finally close to the boat.

The leader was in sight and slowly coaxed to the outstretched hands of the crew.

If by fiction, the fish should have come to the boat, met an anxious gaff and served as a stage of jubilation. Yet, this was a fish of reality and unknown to the anglers who had answered the call, the hook had worn loose. I’ll never forget the final seconds of the fight when a gentle pull caused the hook to dislodge. We assume the fish was surprised by its impromptu release. Yet, what we know is that these anglers, friends since childhood and friends today, knew that sometimes you

fish the Big Rock and sometimes the Big Rock fishes you. It was a fish that was lost; yet, like the history of this magical place, it was a fish that beckons to be caught. This is Big Rock and sometimes the greatest catches are those that catch you.

Jason Hawkins is a freelance writer residing in Hillsborough. He has written a novel based on fishing the Big Rock and is waiting to be published.

Better Lucky than Good...

By: Adrian Holler, Sea Striker Winning the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments, is every blue marlin fisherman’s dream. I think most would agree that luck plays a major role in being able to realize that dream. I’ve been told by many that I’m one of the luckiest guys they’ve ever met. After recanting a few memories of our two tournament wins, I think you may share the same sentiment.

This will be the twenty-fifth consecutive year I’ve fished the Big Rock. After no success for the first three years, I recall my wife, Annette, telling me, “A fool and his money are soon parted,” and although I didn’t tell her so, I started to believe she was right. It was not until the 1986 tournament that we had the good fortune of catching a 603-pounder on the last day which fell five pounds short of winning the tournament. We were extremely excited about finishing second, but there was some disappointment, believing that we had missed our chance of winning. Realizing my disappointment, my father made a promise that if I continued to fish the tournament with the same desire and dedication, I would one day win. My Dad’s promise was fulfilled when we won the 1995 tournament. Unfortunately, he was killed in an auto accident prior to that win, but it made the win even more special that until then, it was my father’s only unfulfilled promise to me.

Now, back to luck—winning the Big Rock once is lucky, but to win it twice (as we did again in 2001), competing against some of the best marlin fishermen in the world, borders on obscenely lucky. Tell me how lucky you think this is—in both years that we won, only a couple of qualifying fish were caught, largely due to inclement weather.

The fish in 1995 only weighed 400 pounds, which wouldn’t have placed in most years and would not have even been brought to the

70 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

scales les e iin n recent recceent re nt years. years eaars Both Both Bo h winning win inni n ngg fish f issh were were we eree leader-wrapped, lea eade derr wr wrap appe peed typityyp pi cally diminishing the odds of catching the fish. After the win in 2001, I couldn’t believe what I saw when Dale Ward, the weigh master, delivered the hook that was imbedded in the fish’s jaw. Not only was the hook nearly straightened, but the braided line had ensnared the hook and literally sawed halfway through the shank. To top it all off, our fish was the only qualifying fish entered in the secondary levels, winning a tournament record of nearly one million dollars.

Better lucky than good!

One last message, for those of you whose dream it is to win the Big Rock, remember, there will always be fishermen as good or better than you, but what really matters is which boat has “Lady Luck” as a member of the crew.

P.S. In our two wins, in addition to having “Lady Luck” aboard, I had my dear friend and best mate ever, Vince Johnston, a truly winning combination.

I Have Been Blessed By: Captain Thomas Wood, Dancin Outlaw Looking back at the 1999 Big Rock, it brings back great memories. We had gathered a great group of guys and with what we lacked in experience, I believe we made it up in enthusiasm and hard work. I remember Nascar Champion Darrell Waltrip saying you had to lose a championship before you could win one, well in 1995 or 1996 we had hooked a very large fish, only to lose it, so I really felt like we were due. When we hooked this particular fish everybody had a job to do and done it perfectly. Unfortunately not all of my memories of this win are as great - because I cannot think of the win without remembering my first mate that day, the late Stuart Wilde, but I am grateful we shared that day together. I have been blessed captaining the Dancin Outlaw for the last 15 years and we have had our share of success in tournament fishing, including a third place in the 2005 Big Rock Tournament. But there is only one tournament we all want to win and while I have managed to lose it a few more times, I have one trophy no one can ever take away.

Can Do Too at Big Rock By: Sid Gold, Can Do Too Several years ago at the age of 60 I informed my family (wife and 3 sons) that I wanted to buy a sport fishing boat and go back to my favorite remembered pastime of fishing.

When I was dating my wife to be I won a Bay Shore Long Island, N.Y. Mako tournament in 1970, the boat a 28’ Chris Craft where I was owner, captain and fisherman was sold when the kids came.

I had not been a boat owner for the better part of the past 32 years.

My family all told me that I was too old to go back and be a boat owner, it was about time that I should grow UP and do something useful....

I bought the Can Do, a 28’ Carolina Classic, and told them if I fished 300+ hours in the first year it would grow up to a real fishing boat.... well The next year when my family came down to the dock they were surprised when they saw the Can Do Too a 52’ 2002 Viking fishing machine......

I am extremely lucky in having Jim Foy to captain, fish and run the Can Do Too and for him a “Jersey Boy” to go to the real south to Morehead City N.C. for the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament in 2006, our first time participating.

I have fished for over 45 years all up and down the Northeast and have admired the Big Rock Tournament for its reputation.

Little did I know that the Big Rock Tournament is like an iceberg and the largest part and best is unseen but there.

Big Rock over the past 20 years that records are available has given about $2,000,000 to charities that benefit Education, the Environment, Fishing, Boys and Girls Clubs

are all part of the 42 worthwhile charities that have received contributions from Big Rock.

I know of NO other World Class Tournament where those running it have given so much to society while still throwing a fun, exciting and wonderful Tournament.

I found myself blessed when we went out at dawn the first day to fish Big Rock in 2006. The excitement of seeing the fishing machines exit the inlet and stream into the ocean was fantastic.

The Can Do Too on the 1st day of the tournament in 2006 caught a 451lb Blue Marlin in about 30 min of my reeling in the chair (even a blind chipmunk can find an acorn now and then) and thanks to Captain Jim Foy and mate Jay Monteverdi with Gerd Beckman and John Kovalsky a real fishing buddy. I could not believe the team work of the guys... and the luck of landing the fish so quickly. Upon returning to the dock the TV, crowds and reporters were exciting and made the catch more fulfilling.

We were the first fish landed in 2006 and the largest for the first 4 days (one day was unfishable due to weather) on the last day we hooked and released another

Blue and finished the Bl Marlin....

Bl M li li d ffi i i h d 33rd d iin th h tournament.

Last year we came back and were the 1st release on the 3rd day of the 2007 tournament...

Big Rock is the most friendly, warm, inviting and giving of any tournament I have ever been to as a guest, participant or observer in 45 years and it gives me great pleasure to be looking forward to participating in Big Rock’s 50th anniversary in 2008.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 71

Fish Tales

Memories of Big Rock

Anticipation By: Capt. Johnnie L. Brown & Crew of the Attitude Adjuster Sometimes experience is the best teacher. My family and I have fished the Big Rock approximately eight times and have never come close to winning, except for the year 1998. Up until this time I never had a marlin on, but I had a gut feeling this was the year. I had just bought a 35’ Luhurs with two 502 Chevy engines and two nice fighting chairs. I had even bought practically all new Rod & Reels and the latest fishing equipment. I don’t remember what day it was in the tournament, but it was the prettiest day of the week in the tournament. We were trolling towards the Pam Am with two 50’s and two 80’s Penn International Combos.

The lures were four large Islanders (2 Pinks, 2 White & 2 Blue and Whites). My wife drives the boats and usually reads the Bible when we are trolling, while our sons, at that time, Bobby 12 years old and Ryan 10 years old where looking at the wakes the boat made and the flying fish. As fate would have it I was in the cabin eating when all of a sudden a loud screaming noise was heard on the starboard side of the boat. As I ran out of the cabin I saw the big blue jump two times out of the water. My heart was in my throat and I panicked.

Once my wife calmed the boys and got me in the chair, she then handed me the reel, which was still smoking. I panicked again and started tighten up on the big drag. At that point, only a couple hundred yards had gone out of the 900-yard of 100lb test line. I could feel power pulling like I never felt in my entire life of fishing! My boys were screaming and hollowing, get him Dad you can do it and I would have if I had done the right thing. Instead I kept tightening the drag every few seconds. My nerves were shot. My God, the biggest fish in my life and for sure the Big Rock’s #1 position! I had it

all, all the al the h right right ight ig h boat, boa oat the thee right rigght ht chair, cha hair ir and an nd the th he right riigh ght reel…then r el re el the hen all aalll off a sudden the ineffable happen!! (POW), then a dead calm and sudden silence came over the crew of the Attitude Adjuster! The line had broken along with my heart. Then you ask the question,” What did I do wrong?“ When we got back to the docks, I told of the action that happen that day to some seasoned fisherman. This was the remedy he told me, when a fish is on and on his first initial run, never tighten the drag, if anything, let off of the drag because all the line he takes out and the ocean currents become the drag! When he told me this information it didn’t take long to see how sensible that was.

Ever since then I have reeled in about every fish I’ve ever hooked.

Prayfully and hopefully Big Blue will give me one more chance this year to have at ‘em!

Barbara B By: Bill Blount, Barbara B 1973 was the first year I fished the Big Rock.

I had just bought a 31’ Bertram from Billy Hines. It had no outriggers! The price of the boat was $10,000 and I thought at the time I had lost my mind. The night before the tournament was to begin, registration and a “Calcutta” was held at the Elks Lodge.

There were approximately 55 boats in that calcutta and as I remember, we were one of the lowest boats and went for $65.00 in the auction. Back then, if you had the winning bid for your own boat you could collect all the prize monies. However, if you did not bid in your boat you had the option to buy half the boat for half the auction price.

Fishing with me that year was Cliff Everett, now a Superior Court Judge, Larry Land then of Greenville, Sonny Hodges also of Greenville and a mate. The mate had been a commercial fisherman.

The first day of the Tournament we caught a 469 pound blue marlin and on the third day we boated a blue weighing 432 pounds. We thought we really had it figured out!! We never came in on two engines which made it more exciting.

The following year, angler David Nichols of Greenville pulled in a 375 pounder blue on the then 28 ft Bertram Barbara B but unfortunately it was bitten by a shark and disqualified.

In 1980 on our new 42 foot Bertram we caught 3 blue marlin in one day with Captain Alan Bailey. Alan was an integral part of our fishing team for many years and we had some fantastic fishing together. In the tournament that year, we finished in third place with the largest fish weighing 307 pounds. We finished fifth in 1981. The next Big Rock blue marlin for us was in 1984 with a huge fish weighing 503 pounds again placing third.

The price to pay has increased since the beginning but what a great tournament the Big Rock has grown into. It has been most gratifying to watch it grow over the years and be a part of it since the beginning.

There have been some exciting, nail-biting days since that first tournament but there have been some slow times as well. I am and have been fortunate to have my two sons Hunter and Gray fishing with me for many

72 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

years having myy yyeeear arrs now no n ow an and look and look lo ook ok forward forrwa ward d tto oh ha avviing m three grandsons and two grand daughters join our team. We plan to fish an all Blount team this year for the 50Th. We wish the best of luck to all.

The Longest Year, June 1995-1996 By: Captain Dale Britt, Sensation Sportfishing It was the year that my friend Capt. Adrian Holler won his first Big Rock aboard the Sea Striker with a 400 pound blue marlin. Friday morning around 10:00, the next to the last day of the Big Rock 1995, the long rigger snapped and line started peeling off a bent butt Penn 130. Angler Jeff Gillis was strapped into the chair on the old Fortysomething, and the battle began. A half hour later wireman Steve Lambeth grabs the leader for the first of 10 times and we all realize that we have the right fish. After a grueling back and forth battle being videotaped by Kevin Albertson, the big fish came alongside to almost within range for gaff man Mike Lohr, then slaps her massive tail against the side of the boat, dives under the boat, snaps the leader on the rudder and five really sad, sad faces wondered what could have been.

It is said that time cures all but I am not so sure. That night and the next 365 nights found me playing that whole event over and over in my mind…..and when I watched the video, I felt really sick.

One year later, on Friday night before the last day of the 1996 Big Rock, the five of us were having dinner and talking about watching a mate in Australia catching a black marlin, who got his reel dumped by a big fish and ended up attaching another rod and reel to the first one. He got the second one dumped and then attached a third rod and reel to the second one before the fish was slowed enough to start getting line back. The angler cranked both rods and reels back to

the boat and caught the fish on the first one. Over dinner we talked about what we would do if that happened to us.

The next morning, Saturday, the last day of the tournament, I was adjusting the left teaser at 8:05 when I saw the explosion on the right short rigger and a mighty blue marlin “greyhounding” away from the boat at full speed. In a matter of seconds, Steve Lambeth yells to me that the line was almost dumped off the Penn 80. “Well, I said, we talked about what to do last night over dinner”. The gold on the spool was getting brighter and brighter as Steve attached the swivel from another 80 to the rod which was still in the holder. When Steve picked up the first rod, it left his hands and skipped across the ocean surface for a hundred feet or so before it finally sank into the 400 fathom abyss.

The next bit of time was surreal. After the second reel was half dumped, angler Kevin Albertson went to work. A half hour later, the first rod and reel appeared beneath the oceans surface. Steve grabbed it up and two hours later, Mike Lohr sank the first gaff.

After we finally pulled the massive fish over the side of the boat, getting the dorsal caught in the rigger halyard and breaking the rigger in the process, we were completely spent. We all sat, drank water and looked at the monster laying in the cockpit for way too long before we finally packed her in ice and got underway to the scales.

Weighmaster Dale Ward asked permission to come aboard and whispered to me that it looked like our dreams had come true.

When the big fish was hoisted up in front of the crowd, Dale shouted “527”!

The boat called the Girl Next Door, mated by m friend Capt. Rocky Hardison had caught a fish on Tuesday that tipped the scales at 535, so our fish missed first place by 8 pounds.

The journey continues………

Fishing = 95% boredom….. and 5% PURE ECSTASY -DALE BRITT

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary 73

Staff and Volunteers Rowanne Robertson

Teresa, Elizabeth and Kristin Holcombe

Rowanne began working with the tournament as a graphic designer in 1992 when she was employed by X-press Publications and later NCCOAST Communications. Her expert layout and design graphics have become an industry standard in printing practices. In 1997 she took control of The Big Rock’s website graphics and propelled the site to a new level.

Another family affair! The Holcombe family (Frank too) have been helping with Big Rock so long, their pictures start off as black and white! Well, not really but close. Teresa also worked as a part-time assistant for a brief period of time before she took a full-time position at Big Rock Sports. She has continued to help with events and participant registration each year.

The Big Rock was lucky enough to land Rowanne as a full time assistant in 2006 and now she focuses all her efforts on Big Rock’s printing and website design along with the day to day record keeping at the office.

Teresa and Frank’s daughters, Elizabeth and Kristin, are incredible help. I often say if something happened to me, they could easily run the tournament! They began helping as mere babes and have grown up with Big Rock, taking more and more responsibility every year. They are a joy to have around the office.

Barbara and Patrick Backman Barb has helped with the tournament for over ten years helping with every aspect of the event. She has also begun working in the “off season” with the yearround staff to provide assistance where needed. She crafted the cool baseball banners we used during the stadium announcement along with the stamped baseballs, can fold a t-shirt better than anyone, proofs, scans….you name it. She is the consummate “multi-task” assistant!

Barb’s son Patrick has also pitched in for the last few years with events and t-shirt sales. A second generation “Big Rocker.”

Elizabeth and Kristin Holcombe above in 1996 at a weigh in and in 2007 working the Captain’s Party.

Ronnie Boone Ronnie began working with the tournament as a programmer/ photographer in 2000 when he was employed with NCCOAST Communications. He moved to Florida in 2003 where he works as a self-employed web designer/photographer for clients such as professional athletes, radio personalities and musicians, but always makes time to return to NC every June for the Big Rock.

Rebecca Stimpson Rebecca volunteered for the tournament before she worked as Big Rock’s first parttime assistant beginning in 1997. Though she officially left Big Rock a few years ago, she has continued to help each year with registration, events and weigh station. Rebecca’s daughter, Julia, has also spent time volunteering for the tournament.

74 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 50th Anniversary

Kyra Moore For at least the last 15 years, Kyra has volunteered her time at Big Rock. She worked the weigh station in the early years, has helped with participant registration, sea bag stuffing and the awards banquet. Kyra also successfully co-directed the 2004 Big Rock Sailfish Challenge. Kyra’ daughter Michelle also pitches in when needed at various events.

Randy Gregory and George Lott

Scott Haines and Brent Wheelright

Randy Gregory is employed by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries as a biologist and director of the North Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Conservation Series tournaments. Randy assisted Dale Ward with weigh-ins since the beginning and now takes the lead as official weigh master for Big Rock.

What can you say about these two wild and crazy guys? They have offered their time for the last several years as the official Big Rock t-shirt salesmen. I think they are doing something right…we have sold more t-shirts under their supervision than ever before!

George Lott began helping Dale Ward with tournaments when the North Carolina Governor’s Cup began. He continues to donate (yes, volunteer) his time at the weigh station for all of the NC Governor’s Cup Series tournaments.

His antics at the weigh station keep everyone laughing!

Linda and Lee Styron

Peggy Erickson Peggy worked for a couple of years as Big Rock’s part-time assistant before she took her current job with the Sheraton. She continues to volunteer during the Big Rock tournament week helping with events as needed.

Lynn Ward and Thurmond Beard Lynn had always helped her husband Dale with Big Rock events and after he passed away in 2002, she took the lead on the bar set up for events. She and “Beard” arrange for the liquor, wine, beer and bartenders at each event during Big Rock. For this year, Lynn also assisted in proofing the 50th Anniversary program.

Rick Cowell No, he isn’t a professional radio personality….but he sure does sound like one! Rick offers his talent and time during Big Rock weigh-ins announcing the arrival of boats and keeping the crowds informed of weights etc. He has definitely raised the bar for Big Rock weigh-ins.

For many years, Lee and Linda Styron gave an entire week of volunteer time to work the weigh station with Dale. They have since “retired” from that position but still offer their time during Big Rock week to help with bar service.

Bruce Paul Bruce began writing about Big Rock in 1989 and wrote every article about Big Rock for the Carteret County News-Times during the next 10 years. In 1994 he was hired as the official Big Rock Media Director producing each day’s press release and handling the media requests. Bruce has moved to Washington D.C. but still travels back to the county for the tournament each year.

Jo Ann Taylor Jo Ann was hired initially

by Bruce Paul to help with tournament stats. After a couple of years working with the tournament, Jo Ann produced her own statistical program to fill a very important need and help bring Big Rock into the computer age. She also travels each year from Florida to be crowned the official Statistician.

Weigh Station Crew

Rosemary Green Rosemary has been the official participant photographer for more than 10 years. Her professional photographs will forever capture Big Rock’s history.

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