WORLD-CLASS PRODUCTS. APPAREL
FURNISHINGS
REFIT & REPAIR
PHOTOS: LUKE PEARSON
NEW CONSTRUCTION
CAROLINA FLARE. MARINE PARTS
FUEL & SUPPLIES
Since our humble beginnings in 1986, Jarrett Bay has served the Big Rock boating community with unparalleled attention to quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, these principles have allowed us to expand our expertise far beyond boats. Learning and innovating while building the finest sportfish rigs led Randy Ramsey and team to accommodate service and repair for all types of vessels. This gave rise to the development of the impressive 175-acre Jarrett Bay Marine Park, where our parts, equipment and crew amenities have grown exponentially over the years. Today, our team specializes not only in construction, refit and repair of the world’s finest boats, but have expanded into home decor and apparel design—bringing our tradition of superior quality and craftsmanship to all who appreciate the Carolina Flare® lifestyle.
3 4 ° 4 8 ’ 2 0 ” N / 76 ° 41’ 0 7 ” W
2 52 -7 2 8 -2 6 9 0
J A R R E T T B AY. CO M
Linda Rike Real Estate is Celebrating 26 years as a family owned & operated company serving buyers & sellers of fine residential properties in the Coastal Carteret County with integrity, and commitment to the highest standards of performance. Linda, Kelinda, Wyatt and all of Linda Rike Real Estates Team members are dedicated to your local real estate transaction success. Our principle belief is “Charity First”. It is just as important to give back to the community we service. Linda Rike Real Estate donates to many charitable organizations in Carteret County including The Domestic Violence Program, Habitat for Humanity, The Hospice House, The Boys & Girls Club, The Military Appreciation Committee, and The Veterans Coalition of the Crystal Coast just to name a fe few. There is one Charity that we are very fond of- The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Linda Rike Real Estate has been a Diamond Sponsor, and the Official Real Estate sponsor since 1998. The Big Rock Tournament, now one of the best-known bill-fishing tournaments in the Country, has contributed more than Five Million Dollars over the years to charities across North Carolina. Our Team is Proud to be a part of the Big Rock organization.
Just add Conservaaon • Innovaaon • Charitable Giving
DIAMOND SPONSOR
OOficial Real Estate Company of the Big Rock Since 1998!
““The Whale Inn” 4002 Ocean Dr, Emerald Isle, NC 28594.”Great Rental Income.”
252-247-6922
1410 Arendell Street Morehead City, NC 28557
www.lindarike.com
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“The Grande Villas” 1435 Salter Path Rd, Indian Beach, NC 28512. “Luxury Condominium Resort”
Water
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Member FDIC
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firstcitizens.com
Strength. Planning. Persistence. Forever First.
®
When it comes to making sure your financial future is strong and stable, taking the long view helps. At First Citizens Bank we’ve got over 120 years experience helping customers see further, plan better and do more with their opportunities to succeed.
First Citizens is a proud Diamond Sponsor of the 63rd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. thebigrock.com
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C L O T H I N G
APPAREL, SUNGLASSES AND MORE AT SALTLIFE.COM
P E R F O R M A N C E
S E A
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(919) 934-3143 CollinsBoating.com
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4620 US-70 BUS Smithfield, NC 27577
Curve. We’d like to welcome you to the
300-Fathom
So much so, that we’ve designed the integrated power system to get you there.
The revolutionary, Yamaha 5.6L V8 XTO Offshore® delivers extreme thrust to conquer the canyons. The big blue no man’s land of the 300-fathom curve and beyond. It’s the hunting grounds for monsters like marlin, swordfish—and now, the Yamaha XTO Offshore. This 425 hp V8 boasts 5.6L of naturally aspirated, big-block power; industry-first direct injection four-stroke outboard and newly designed charging system that produces up to 96 amps of net charging power, per outboard, at idle EXCLUSIVE PHASE ANGLE CONTROL CHARGING SYSTEM
- where it’s needed most. Not to mention Yamaha’s DNA of reliability and extreme
thrust. In other words, the XTO easily propels large, offshore boats; it’s driving the industry toward a new class of 50-foot-plus, outboard-powered vessels; and it’s officially put lesser engines on the endangered list.
Available in new, Pearlescent White and Classic Yamaha Gray
To learn more about the 5.6L V8 425 hp XTO Offshore, visit YamahaOutboards.com/XTO.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. © 2021 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. 1-866-894-1626
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For the love of fashion, There is no place like The Posh Pelican! Specializing in Apparel, SWimWear and Gifts!
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folloW us at:
Q theposhpelicanab E theposhpelican www.theposhpelican.com
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HATS VISORS APPAREL COOLERS SUNGLASSES DRINKWARE TACKLE STORAGE
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The reel deal in environmental service
Residential Collection • Commercial Collection • Industrial Collection
Proud sponsors of the Big Rock Tournament. Help keep our oceans clean for life! Visit gflenv.com for more information.
Green Today. Green For Life. | 1.855.222.2797
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MORE OF PELAGIC HUNTER II ON PAGE 80!
TABLE OF
CONTENTS FEATURES 52 144 66 88 58 112 122 96 148 32 86 74 131 80
80 | WINNERS
Big Rock Big Hero Big Rock License Plates Charities Elusive Blue Marlin Big Rock Kids Tournament KWLA Recap KWLA Rules Participants Schedule of Events Sponsors A Big Hull to Fill This Magic Moment Tournament Rules/Entry Form Winners
DEPARTMENTS
152 | HISTORY 96 | PARTICIPANTS
169 86 41 24 138 152 162 156 139 37 41 158 37 143 138
112 | KWLA
Advertiser’s Index Big Rock Foundation Board of Directors Governor’s Letter Headquarters & Hours History of Big Rock In Memory of Loran Coordinates Maps Meet the Staff President’s Message Previous Winners Program Production T-Shirt Sales Outlets Tournament Details
ROCKN’ SHOTS
52 | BIG HEROS
66
46, 56 76, 90, 106
120 KWLA 76 Pig Pickin’ 64 Prayer Breakfast 46 Release Shots 160 Volunteers
@bigrocktournament | CHARITIES
@bigrockfishing @bigrocktournament thebigrock.com
MAJOR SPONSOR
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FROM THE GOVERNOR
Roy Cooper Governor
State of North Carolina Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
24 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
Dear Friends: Welcome to the beautiful North Carolina Crystal Coast and to the Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. This is an exciting and much-anticipated event, not only for those doing the fishing, but for everyone who comes to share in the fun. Over sixty years ago, the idea for the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament was started by Dick Parker and four other avid fishermen to celebrate the area's passion for fishing. It has evolved into one of the country's bestknown billfishing tournaments and has contributed many hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to charities across North Carolina. This year will be no exception. I hope you will have an opportunity to enjoy all that this area of our state has to offer, from beautiful beaches, to traditional local seafood and important historical sites. As you do so, please remember to follow health protocols so that we can protect ourselves and our neighbors. My best wishes for a very successful, safe and enjoyable tournament. With kind regards, I am
Very truly yours,
Roy Cooper
THIS WAY TO THE WATER For over 50 years, the Bluewater Yacht Sales team has fished alongside our customers, friends & fellow anglers, enjoying the Bluewater lifestyle that involves salty air, wet lines and exhilarating trips to the winner’s circle. We have put our hands-on experiences to work with the most respected marine partners to provide exceptional products, sales and service. At Bluewater, boating’s best brands are offered by some of the East Coast’s most experienced captains, craftsmen and support teams. Working with us is about more than buying or selling a boat, it is about becoming part of our family and enjoying the Bluewater lifestyle together.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL BIG ROCK & KWLA TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS!
(New model representation varies by territory)
EST. 1968
877.269.3021
BLUEWATERYACHTSALES.COM thebigrock.com
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POWERING YOUR ADVENTURES. Cummins continues its legacy of providing reliable, durable diesels to the marine market with a broad range of power 5.9 to 95 liters for commercial, government and recreational applications. Our legacy of innovation continues with the expansion of our Onan product line of marine generators that provide power even in the most demanding situations. Innovative solutions from a name you can trust. No matter the vessel, Cummins will keep you Always On. Contact your local authorized Cummins dealer or learn more at CUMMINS.COM/MARINE
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Building the future, one mind at a time Learning starts with curiosity, is fed by discoveries, and continues for a lifetime. Education lays the foundation for the future. Wells Fargo salutes Big Rock Foundation Inc. and is committed to supporting organizations that further education in the community. Learn more at wellsfargo.com. Good luck to those participating in the 63rd Annual Big Rock Tournament!
© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved. 4609979 MOD: 40
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Making More Than Just Good Food in North Carolina At Smithfield Foods, we call North Carolina home. And we do more than just produce good food. We also help make lives better here and across America, donating more than 100-million servings of protein to the hungry, contributing millions to education, reducing our environmental footprint, hiring veterans, providing good jobs for more than 10,000 North Carolinians--and more. To us, it’s all just part of producing “Good Food. Responsibly."
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FOR DETAILS ON THE LIMITED WARRANTY, SEE SUNBRELLA.COM/WARRANTY. SUNBRELLA® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF GLEN RAVEN, INC.
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MAJOR SPONSOR
jarrettbay.com Jarrett Bay Boatworks, founded in 1986, has delivered more than 100 custom and semi-production sportfishing boats and services more than one thousand boats per year through their 175-acre Jarrett Bay Marine Park located at ICW MM 198 in Beaufort, North Carolina. Recognized as an ABBRA Boatyard of the Year, named the 2015 NC Manufacturer of the Year, and two-time recipient of “Best Power Yacht 50 - 100 Feet” Refit Excellence Awards, Jarrett Bay has more than 200 employees and 135,000 sq. ft. of building space - making it one of the East Coast’s largest and most respected all-inclusive boating facilities. 32 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
BIG ROCK BIG HERO SPONSOR
SALT LIFE saltlife.com Shop Salt Life’s beach clothing shop for boardshorts, decals, and apparel. Beach-goers wear the Salt Life brand and proudly display our stickers.
DIAMOND SPONSORS
LINDA RIKE REAL ESTATE lindarike.com Bringing you the largest selection of waterfront properties in Carteret County. JUST ADD WATER TO YOUR LIFESTYLE Official Real Estate Company Since 1998 - Over 21 Years
FIRST CITIZENS BANK firstcitizens.com First Citizens Bank is proud to be a sponsor of the Big Rock Marlin Tournament. First Citizens is a homegrown North Carolina bank, helping people and businesses with their important financial decisions for more than a century. As one of the largest family controlled banks in the U.S., we have more than 550 branches, an extensive ATM network as well as telephone and Digital banking service — so you can bank the way you want. We’re committed to helping you find more ways to manage your money. And our bankers are here to help when what you need is someone to talk to. About your money, your business and your future. First Citizens Bank. Forever First®. Member FDIC.
MICHELOB ULTRA michelobultra.com Michelob ULTRA is the superior light beer. With just 95 calories and 2.6 carbs, you can enjoy the crisp, refreshing taste of Michelob ULTRA without compromising your active lifestyle. Live Fit, Live Fun, Live ULTRA
YAMAHA OUTBOARDS / COLLINS, INC. yamahaoutboards.com collinsboating.com
Collins Inc. is Eastern NC’s fishing boat headquarters! Family owned since 1956 we strive to provide the best in Service and Selection! Located in Smithfield, NC we are convenient to anywhere in Eastern Carolina. Yamaha Outboards has proudly operated in the U.S. market for nearly 30 years. Yamaha Outboards have become synonymous with innovation, performance and legendary reliability.
LEGEND SPONSOR
Parker Auto Group
Parker Honda parkerhonda.com 5327 Hwy 70
Parker Buick-GMC parkergm.com 4813 Arendell St
Carteret County’s most comfortable car buying for over 70 years. thebigrock.com
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PLATINUM SPONSORS
BAILEY'S FINE JEWELRY baileybox.com Three generations of our family serving your family.... One Bailey box at a time. Celebrating 73 years in business.
CALCUTTA calcuttafishing.com Calcutta is one of the most widely recognized brands in the recreational fishing industry with product categories that include fishing tools, tackle bags, sunglasses, rainwear and technical fishing apparel.
EJW OUTDOORS ejwoutdoors.com As a full service bait & tackle shop, EJW Outdoors has been serving the fishing industry for 75 years. EJW Outdoors services Penn and Shimano reels on site and offers the areas largest top shelf Shimano selection, along with a lengthy list of artificial & natural bait and lures from brands like Moyes, Bonze, Black Bart, Baitmasters, and more! 34 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
CROSLEY CORPORATION crosley.com America’s iconic brand, Crosley, has a long-standing history of innovation and quality. From our beginnings, with epic strides in electronics, to today with world-class appliances, we have always prided ourselves on bringing high-quality, valuepriced products to market. We proudly provide our exclusively branded appliances through a group of independently owned distributors and retailers. By doing so, we ensure you will always receive superior service and exceptional value.
SUMBRELLA MARINE sunbrella.com. Sunbrella has revolutionized the way the world thinks about how fabrics look, feel and perform. Sunbrella Marine fabrics are designed to perform, look good and last on the water. With canvas and upholstery offerings, Sunbrella boaters expect proven durability, waterproofing, UV protection, fade resistance and bleach cleanability. Led by a global design team, premium Sunbrella fabric gives boaters, OEMs and fabricators the materials they need to create the extraordinary in marine applications. For more information, please visit www.sunbrella.com.
NAPA WALKER AUTO & TRUCK napaonline.com NAPA is America’s first choice for automotive parts and accessories and the leading supplier of specialty parts and marine parts, equipment for the collision repair, heavy duty and industrial markets. Visit us today.
ISLAND X-PER-TEES islandxpertees.com Island Xpertees is the only source you need for all your screen printing projects. From custom T-shirts for your home business to brand establishment of your fortune 500 company, we have you covered.
GFL ENVIRONMENTAL INC. is a leading North American provider of diversified environmental solutions. Recognized by our signature fleet of wellmaintained, bright green trucks, we offer a robust, consolidated and sophisticated approach to meeting our customers’ environmental service requirements
EVENT SPONSORS BAILEY’S FINE JEWELRY baileybox.com Three generations of our family serving your family....One Bailey box at at time. Celebrating 73 years in business. KWLA Ladies Trunk Show Sponsor
BLUEWATER YACHT SALES bluewateryachtsales.com Your dealer for Viking, Jarrett Bay, Albemarle, and leader in service and brokerage sales. Sunday Pig Pickin’ Co-Sponsors
BEAUFORT HOTEL NC beauforthotelnc.com The resort-style hotel is minutes to the Beaufort's historic district, Crystal Coast beaches, Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Shackleford Banks, and Rachel Carson Reserve. Gamefish Level Sponsorship
CUMMINS SALES AND SERVICE
cummins.com Quality performance engines for recreational, intermittent sportfishing & light-duty commercial applications providing after sales support worldwide. Wednesday Event Co-Sponsor
GREGORY POOLE gregorypoole.com High performance marine engines with local professional service teams. Sunday Pig Pickin’ Co-Sponsor
SOUTHEASTERN FOUNDRIES southeasternfoundries.com SouthEastern Foundries was established in 1954 to provide the highest quality non ferrous castings at the most competitive price possible and deliver that casting in a timely manner. Sunday Prayer Service Co-Sponsor SPENCER YACHTS spenceryachtsinc.com We’ve taken the Carolina style and tradition of boat building with a unique look and transformed it into a World Class and high performance Sport Fishing Yacht. Awards Banquet Sponsor TOWN CREEK MARINA towncreekmarina.com Enjoy a full array of yacht and boating services coupled with an atmosphere of relaxation and hospitality. We have all the amenities you expect from a full-service marina as well as a laidback Southern style that welcomes you and puts you immediately at ease. Wednesday Event Co-Sponsor TOWNEBANK | TOWNE INSURANCE
THE INN AT PINE KNOLL SHORES
Affordable luxury & ocean views in North Carolina. Comfortable rooms at a great location with amenities such as free WIFI, Gourmet Dining, Free Parking, Outdoor Pool, Laundry Services and a 24-hour front desk.
townebank.com TowneBank and Towne Insurance* provide exquisite service to meet your banking and insurance needs. TowneBank is Member FDIC. *Insurance products offered through Towne Insurance, a subsidiary of TowneBank, are Not a deposit, Not FDIC-Insured, and are Not guaranteed by TowneBank.
Sunday Prayer Service Co-Sponsor
PRODUCT & DISPLAY SPONSORS
A uaLoco
AQUALOCO aqua-loco.com We are a ladies sport fishing apparel company, with comfort and style as our first priority! Soft material and adjustable fit make our collection stand out from the rest
ISLAND X-PER-TEES islandxpertees.com Island Xpertees is the only source you need for all your screen printing projects. From custom T-shirts for your home business to brand establishment of your fortune 500 company, we have you covered. Seabag Sponsor
ALBEMARLE albemarleboats.com Albemarle Boats is committed to building the best sportfishing boats in the world and to stimulating sportfishing as a recreation. We believe we will find ongoing success as we consistently exceed sport fishermen's expectations in the areas of quality, value, innovation, service and pure enjoyment. We will accomplish this goal through a total commitment to excellence throughout our company. WTA Daily Release
CONTENDER/STARLING MARINE contenderoffshore.com starlingmarine.com Contender’s boat building philosophy uses the most advanced materials and quality components available. Outboard Level Sponsor
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PRODUCT & DISPLAY SPONSORS C&C INDUSTRIAL ccindustrial.com A full-line industrial and commercial concrete contractor. Projects ranging in size from apartment complexes, drug stores, & office strip centers, to churches, theaters, & multistory bank operation centers. The company has, in recent years, branched out to include laser screed services, & we are post tension certified. Display Sponsor
PARKER BOATS Our boats are overbuilt and quality made, hand hewn to ensure that the boat building resume imprinted upon our working hands since the late 1960s is forged across every detail of your boat. Parkerboats.com WTA Dolphin
JOHNSON & TOWERS JOHNSONTOWERS.COM YOUR PARTNERS FOR
COSTA DEL MAR costadelmar.com Dedicated to producing the highest quality sun lens in the world.
WESTERN BRANCH DIESEL WBDIESEL.COM
A Rolls-Royce solution
FIFTH THIRD BANK 53.com Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Wealth & Asset Management. Committed to improving lives in all the markets we serve.
TITO’S HANDMADE VODKA titosvodka.com America’s Original Craft Vodka. Distilled & Bottled in Austin, Texas. Crafted to be savored responsibly.” Official Vodka
CASA DE CAMPO A Tropical Playground Situated on 7,000 Acres in La Romana. Enjoy Luxury Accommodations At An Award-Winning Resort In The Dominican Republic. Tennis. Visit Altos de Chavón. Water Sports. 7 Outstanding Restaurants. Marina. Sport Fishing. casadecampo.com
GREGORY POOLE gregorypoole.com High performance marine engines with local professional service teams. Daily Release Sponsor
GOLD SPONSORS
36 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
WESTERN BRANCH DIESEL westernbranchdiesel.com Western Branch Diesel is your authorized distributor & service provider for MTU, Detroit, Allison Transmission, and Volvo Penta Fabulous Fisherman Level Sponsor
RELEASE MARINE releasemarine.com For more than three decades, Release Marine has designed all of the components in each of their fighting chairs and accessories. Weigh Station Sponsor
SEAKEEPER seakeeper.com World leader in marine stabilization, virtually eliminates boat roll at anchor or underway. Now bringing stabilization to boats 30 feet and above. Display Sponsor
SMITHFIELD FOODS smithfieldfoods.com Providing affordable, high-quality pork products for your family. Pork Chop Provider for Wednesday Dinner
WELLS FARGO & COMPANY wellsfargo.com A leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets and proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of all middle market companies in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.
Crystal Hesmer
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Madison Maxwell
A S S I S TA N T D I R E C T O R KWLA DIRECTOR
THE 63rd ANNUAL BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT Tournament Headquarters: 710 Evans Street Morehead City, NC PUBLISHER The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament LAYOUT & GRAPHICS Madison Maxwell, Carlee Sharpe & Kimberly LaChance PROGRAM PHOTOGRAPHY Frances Barringer, Ryan Ball, Grace Bell, Crystal Hesmer, Fish Hunt Photo, Madison Maxwell, Parker Robinson, Isaiah Walker, Ruth Zurn, Triworks Studios, Mark Cogdell
MEET THE
TEAM
CONTRIBUTORS Crystal Hesmer, Bruce Paul Carlee Sharpe TOURNAMENT ARTWORK Steve Goione, Official Artist LIVE STREAMING VIDEOGRAPHER Josh Robinson, Triworks Studios YEAR ROUND RETAIL STAFF Ellie Davis Hannah Lail Paula McKee Molly Harty PROGRAM PRINTING Martin Printing
© Copyright 2021 by 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.
Tyson Watson
R E TA I L M A N A G E R
Carlee Sharpe
R E TA I L R E L AT I O N S & M A R K E T I N G C O O R D I N AT O R BIG ROCK KIDS DIRECTOR
Teresa Holcombe
Teresa worked as an assistant for the tournament in the early days and then returned in 2014 as the full-time retail manager. She took Big Rock’s small retail business to the major charitable contributor it is today. Her management and organizational acumen exceeded all expectations and her vision for a retail venue was brought to fruition with skill and determination. We are thankful for her time at Big Rock and wish her the best in her retirement.
Rowanne Robertson
Rowanne began working for the tournament in the early 90’s from her position at NC Coast Printing Company, producing Big Rock’s yearly program. As websites begin to appear, she had a direct design position bringing the first website to Big Rock. In 2007 she was hired full-time as the tournament assistant and bookkeeper. She continued to design the Big Rock program and website along with her other duties, taking Big Rock into the future. We appreciate all her efforts during her time at Big Rock and wish her the best in her new endeavors. @GR ACEBELLPHOTOGR APHY thebigrock.com
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38 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
Specializing in High Quality Concrete Boom Pump and Laser Screed Services!
www.ccindustrial.com 7991 Beasley Road Whitakers, NC 27891 (252) 443-9403
“BUILDING FOUNDATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME” C&C Industrial, Inc. has been providing quality concrete services since 1992. Centrally located along Interstate 95 in Eastern NC, we are well-positioned to serve the Tri-State Area. We are a full-line industrial and commercial concrete contractor with projects ranging in size from apartment complexes & condominiums, multi-story hotels & mixed-use developments, office centers, shipping & distribution hubs, parking decks, industrial & manufacturing facilities, warehouses, large retail establishments, and more. thebigrock.com
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2,400 BHP BHP THE RUMORS ARE TRUE.
The most powerful Cat® Marine recreational engines ever built will be available soon.
Introducing the Cat® C32B (2,400 bhp)
With higher horsepower ratings and the greatest efficiency ever, the Tier 3 High Performance Series is a welcome innovation to the North American sportfish market.
P R E - O R D E R T O D AY Supply will be limited and the demand will be high. Contact your Gregory Poole Marine representative now!
POWERING UP THE FINEST CAROLINA-BUILT BOATS. Wanchese, Beaufort & Wilmington, NC
gregorypoole.com/marine
BIG ROCK BOARD OF DIRECTORS
W
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT JOY BELL
ow! What a whirlwind year we have had. If you recall I began my year of being the first female president of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament with wondering what my legacy would be. Well, now we have so many things to choose from. I will have many legacies and happy memories .... 1. Do we have a tournament or not have a tournament during a pandemic? Not only did we have a tournament but it was a record breaking one with close to as many entries as we have ever had and a big financial win for a lot of our charities. 2. The formation of the Big Rock Kids Tournament. I am so excited about hosting this tournament in July of this year. Our children are our future. Let's give them some well deserved excitement after a long year of uncertainty. 3. Or how about the year that Michael Jordan's boat landed a blue marlin and he visited us on the Morehead City waterfront to weigh in his fish. It brought the tournament some national publicity and notoriety. We appreciate his participation and hope to see him again. Folks, it doesn't get any better than all of that. We are so appreciative of our Big Rock Community. A huge thanks to all of our sponsors, participants, volunteers, retail and wholesale customers, and our entire community for your continuing support. Kudos to a great Board of Directors and Staff who never cease to amaze me with their energy, ideas, and creative thinking. God has truly blessed us and our community. Always remember Charity First. We hope everyone has a great week. Stay safe and Happy Fishing!
Board Member Since 1992 Joy Bell has given hours and hours of free time as the Big Rock accountant with special attention during Big Rock Tournament week. Fishing the KWLA for many years, Joy and her team won 1st Place billfish release in 2017. Joy is an enthusiastic angler and is Lead Tax Senior Director in the firm of PBMares LLP. thebigrock.com
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EMERY IVE Y
RICHARD CROWE
Vice-President Board Member Since 2016 Emery Ivey, An Eastern NC businessman, joined the Big Rock Board of Directors in the fall of 2016 and brings a fresh perspective to the inner workings of the Board.
Secretary Board Member Since 1999 Richard has served on the board of directors since 1999. He has fished the Big Rock since 1976 and maintains a residence in 8-1/2 Marina Village here in Carteret County. Richard is President of Delta Equipment Enterprises, Inc.
JACK JORDAN
ROGER CROWE
Past President 2005-2007 President, Big Rock Foundation Board Member Since 1998 Executive Vice President of Jordan Lumber & Supply, Inc. in Mt Gilead, North Carolina. Jack has maintained a local residence at 8-1/2 Marina Village for over 30 years.
Past President 1999-2001, 2012-2014 Secretary, Big Rock Foundation Board Member Since 1991 Roger Crowe, Attorney at Law, provides legal support and sound advice to the Big Rock Board during the tournament and throughout the year.
H O WA R D B A S N I G H T
LES COLLINS
Board Member Since 1991 Former charter and private boat captain, and Rules Committee member, Howard brings good advice to the table. His historical catch of a 1002 lb. "Grander" blue marlin August 12, 1989, aboard his charter boat Wave Runner, will keep him in the record books for years to come. Howard has served on the Board of Directors for 30 years.
Board Member Since 2015 Les has worked over 36 years in the boating industry as President / Owner of Collins Inc, Smithfield, NC (established 1956). He is an Eagle Scout who enjoys fishing, hunting and traveling across the US. Les also serves on the Board at 8 1/2 Marina Village where he has maintained a residence since 2002.
B I L LY K O R N E G AY
JIM BAILEY
CAROL LOHR
Jim and his wife Katherine are owners of the Anchorage Marina in Atlantic Beach and he is an active commercial and residential Realtor and also develops waterfront properties in the Carteret County area. Jim and his father were one of the private boats to fish the first Big Rock in their private boat. He was on the dock at the old Morehead City Yacht Basin when the first Blue Marlin was brought to the docks by the crew of the Mary Z and witnessed the parade through town of the wagon full of prize money which had been raised to promote offshore fishing out of Morehead. That Fabulous Fishing Club became the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Over the years he has fished most of the east coast bill fish tournaments from the Florida Keys to Virginia. He was one of the founders of the original tournament that has now become the Big Rock Kids Tournament. He and his wife live in Atlantic Beach at the Anchorage Marina surrounded by water and boat slips.
Past President 2001-2003, 2015-2017 Board Member Since 1981 Billy supports the board in many areas including having run the committee boat from 1986 to 1998. Billy fished the Big Rock aboard the Sugar Bear beginning in 1972. Billy has maintained a local residence at 8-1/2 Marina Village for over 40 years. Co-Owner and CEO of Eastern Wrecker Sales Inc. Since 1969.
Board Member Since 1998 Carol brings tourism marketing and promotion/media experience to the board. She enjoys cooking, fishing, horseback riding and travel. Founding member of the Lady Angler Committee, she is married to Kenny Lohr and they are raising a German Shepard named Smoke!
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Past President 1997-1999 Board Member Since 1992
R A N DY R A M S E Y
MIKE THOMPSON
Past President 2003-2005 and 2009-2011 Board Member Since 1987 Randy is the Founder and President of Jarrett Bay Boatworks. He has been involved in almost every aspect of the boating and fishing industries throughout his life including running a charter fishing operation, marine surveying, building boats and now running one of the world's leading custom boat manufacturing and service facilities. Randy is also a partner in Bluewater Yacht Sales, a company that represents the industry's top boat brands as well as brokerage listings. Randy is very involved in the community and serves on numerous other nonprofit boards. He is currently Chairman of the UNC Board of Governors. Randy has served on the Big Rock Board for more than 30 years and is a long-time asset. He lives in Carteret County with his wife, Tiffany.
Treasurer Vice-President, Big Rock Foundation Board Member Since 2006 Mike, a former charter boat captain and avid waterman, first began his association with the Big Rock tissue sampling Blue Marlin for mercury/selenium content at Duke Marine Lab in 1974. Mike owns and manages MultiServices Inc., a telecommunication and financial services firm. Mike and his wife Connie live on Harkers Island.
TOMMY BENNET T
Past President 2007-2009 Treasurer, Big Rock Foundation Board Member Since 1987 A native of Morehead City, Tommy currently serves as Chairman of the Big Rock Charity Committee. An avid fisherman, Tommy particularly enjoys flyfishing for everything from tailing drum to sailfish. He is an independent insurance agent, and lives in Morehead City with his wife, Wanda.
CURTIS STRANGE
Member Since 2003 Curtis brings extensive knowledge, experience and depth of insight in marketing, promotion and event management. Curtis has been a member of the board since the fall of 2003 and makes Morehead City his full-time residence with his wife Sarah. His extensive accomplishments include being a two-time US Open Champion, three-time Player of the Year, and in 2007 Curtis was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
CAROLINE PETRILLI
Board Member Since 2016 Caroline grew up in Carteret County and is a CPA at PBMares in Morehead City. She loves fishing with her family and was previously awarded Top Female Angler in the North Carolina Governors Cup. Her husband, Anthony, and her have 2 children, Hazel and David.
C A S E Y WA G N E R
Past President 1988-1992, 2012-2013 Member Since 1985 A Morehead City native and avid sportfisherman, Casey Wagner has fished in every Big Rock Tournament since 1973 and has served on the Board of Directors since 1985. Casey will be fishing the 63rd Annual Big Rock on his boat, Inspiration. He is the owner of Spectrum Rental Properties in Atlantic Beach. Casey lives in Carteret County with his wife, Ruth.
DALE BRIT T
Past President 2017-2019 Board Member Since 2011 Although Dale has plenty to keep him busy onshore, his most enjoyable work was at the helm of Jarrett Bay Hull #1, the charter fishing boat Sensation. Dale is proud to give back to his Crystal Coast community and is honored to be a part of the Big Rock Board.
DEW FORBES
Past President 1993-1995 Board Member Since 1991
As a previous charter boat captain, Dew provides valuable input as Rules Committee Chairman during the tournament week and throughout the year. While charter fishing Dew built two boats with Jarrett Bay Boatworks and followed this as Vice President partner and stock holder before retiring. He and his wife, Valorie, live in Beaufort.
D IR EC TO R S E ME R ITUS
CHUCK RHODES
BEN MOORE
LONNIE POOLE
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TOURNAMENT AUCTIONS
GARMIN WATCHES Two Garmin Quatix 6 Marine Waches Sold for $1,100
OFFICIAL 23RD ANNUAL KWLA TOURNAMENT ART
“Let the Dance Begin” by Anthony Fife Sold for $900
OFFICIAL 62ND ANNUAL TOURNAMENT ART
One of the strongest missions of the tournament is to raise money for Charities and Worthy Community Projects. To date, over $6 million has been donated!
"Flying High" by Artist Steve Goione Sold for $25,000
WEEK LONG CHARTER PACKAGE To Costa Rica or Argentinia. Donated by Down East Guide Service Inc. and Dragin Fly Sold for $6,000
TRANSDUCER
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$33,100
$33,100 RAISED FOR CHARITIES IN 2020! SEE OUR TOTAL CHARITY GIVING ON PAGE 66. 50 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
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WHAT IS BIG ROCK BIG HERO? Big Rock Big Hero presented by SALT LIFE was created in 2018 as a way to honor active duty servicemen and women. "Our vision for the Big Rock, Big Hero experience was to provide deserving service members with an unforgettable fishing adventure. All of us at the Big Rock are forever grateful for their service to our country and this was just a small way of showing our appreciation," explains tournament director, Crystal Hesmer. Family members & friends nominate their hero by sharing inspiring stories of their loved one's loyalty to our country. We are humbled by each submission. Service members are hosted on world class sport fishing boats alongside elite anglers that are honored to welcome them aboard. We would like to thank TOP DOG, ACCORDINGLY IV, CAN DO II, EL CAZADOR, JUST CHILLIN', AND JOB SITE for hosting our seven heroes in 2020. We are thrilled for the fourth annual Big Rock Big Hero this year! 52 | BIG ROCK
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MEET OUR HEROES PETTY OFFICER HEATHER CLARK
United States Coast Guard
MASTER SERGEANT RONNIE BLACKBURN US Army, Joint Special Operations Command
SERGEANT EVAN WALLACE
US Air Force, Special Tactics
FIRST SERGEANT JUSTIN HUMMER
US Army, Joint Special Operations Command
PETTY OFFICER JEROME MANUEL
United States Coast Guard, SK1
FIRST SERGEANT JOSH THOMPSON
US Army, Joint Special Operations Command
SERGEANT MAJOR AARON PAYNE
US Marine Corps, Harrier Pilot
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The largest billfish tournaments in North Carolina are proud to present the NC Billfish Series. The eight NC Billfish Series tournaments have teamed up with weigh masters Randy Gregory and George Lott to recognize and award the best tournament boats and anglers in North Carolina. The mission of the NC Billfish Series is to promote North Carolina’s billfish tournaments, sportsmanship, marine conservation and competition in our world renown offshore fishery. Competing boats will be awarded points for billfish released or landed in NC Billfish Series tournaments with trophies for the overall winner, top private and charter boat for the best three out of eight tournaments plus points for participating in each tournament. Trophies will be awarded for the largest blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, dolphin and wahoo. A “special” award will be given to the boat with most total points (total points awarded for all tournaments) and individual awards will be given for outstanding junior boy, junior girl and lady angler. The NC Billfish Series looks forward to sharing the entire 2021 tournament fishing year with up to date scoring through our website and social media posts. At the conclusion of each event, scores and significant catches will be posted keeping boats and anglers informed of the standings and tournament action. NC Billfish Series registration will be opening very soon, and we look forward to 2021!
2021 Participating NC Billfish Series Tournaments HATTERAS VILLAGE OFFSHORE OPEN May 11 - 15 www.hvoo.org
HATTERAS GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT July 7 - 10 www.hatterasgrandslam.com
SWANSBORO ROTARY MEMORIAL DAY BLUE WATER FISHING TOURNAMENT May 27 - 30 www.swansborobluewater.com
BIG ROCK KIDS TOURNAMENT July 14 - 17 www.thebigrock.com
CAPE FEAR BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT June 2 - 5 www.capefearbluemarlintournament.com BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT June 11 - 20 www.thebigrock.com
DUCKS UNLIMITED BILLFISH TOURNAMENT July 21 - 24 www.ncdubillfish.com PIRATES COVE BILLFISH TOURNAMENT August 7 - 14 www.pcbgt.com
For more information on the NC Billfish Series contact Randy Gregory at randy@ncbillfishseries.com or 252-728-0101
54 | BIG ROCK
George Lott at 252-241-6314 or visit http://ncbillfishseries.com
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Criminal • DWI • Traffic To make an appointment with Mr. Crowe or Mr. Godwin, call
(252) 728-4266 CROWE LAW FIRM 402 Turner Street • Beaufort, NC thebigrock.com
BIG ROCK | 55
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BIG ROCK | 57
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DON'T FORGET TO
DOWNLOAD THE APP! IOS & ANDROID: SEARCH
"Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament" in App Store or Google Play Store
WEB: VISIT
https://www.reeltimeapps.com /live/tournaments/63rd-annual-bigrock-blue-marlin-tournament
FEATURES LEADERBOARDS Boat & Angler Leaderboards SCORING Live scoring activity of all scores AUDIO/VIDEO Listen LIVE to the audio feed & watch weigh-ins PARTICIPANTS All participating boats & anglers INFORMATION Tournament schedule of events PHOTOS Photos of all the tournament action FOLLOWING Follow boats to be notified of all scores LIVE STATISTICS Fishing statistics during the tournament MESSAGES Messages from the tournament 60 | BIG ROCK
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BIG ROCK | 61
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Sunday Prayer BREAKFAST
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66 | BIG ROCK
Conservation • Innovation •
BIG ROCK
Charitable Giving
Charities
CHARITABLE GIVING REACHES $6,567,448
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The Big Rock Board of Directors and its Charity Committee have committed to a core group of charities in the community to receive consistent funding from the tournament. The entire process is driven by the fit between Big Rock’s five-point mission statement and the destination of the charitable funds. In addition to these yearly donations, the board also reviews new larger impact community projects. These donations are funded by the success of the tournament, our sponsors and retail sales. In 2020 the Big Rock Board was able to contribute $99,500 to their annual core donations and heavily supported Carteret County schools in various needs totaling $119,500. Last year the Big Rock Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament (KWLA) was sponsored by BBT, now Truist and held on Saturday June 5, 2020. Inclement weather on Saturday narrowed the field to 68 boats on Sunday however, the Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament donated $25,000 to the local Carteret Healthcare Clinic. Donations to the clinic since 2005, total $353,916. Overall, the KWLA tournament has donated a total of $399,415 since it began in 1998. Way to go ladies!! The Big Rock and KWLA tournaments are very proud of their past contributions now over six million dollars totaling $6,567,448 after the 2020 tournament year. The Big Rock Charity Committee consists of Tommy Bennett, Chairman, Dale Britt, Billy Kornegay, Curtis Strange and Caroline Petrilli.
Big Rock was recognized earlier this year for their long-time commitment to Carteret County Schools for the past 35 years. Big Rock has brought the North Carolina Symphony to Carteret County since 1997 for music education for 4th and 5th graders across the county. Additionally, the tournament has made major contributions to baseball fields, band programs and uniforms, IPADS, science and leadership programs, and basketball courts. The many donations so far have totaled $600,520
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.
ADDITIONAL CHARITIABLE GIVING BIG ROCK DONATES NEW BUS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
Big Rock presented the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastal Plain with a $40,000 check to purchase a new bus for the Morehead City Club. As the primary beneficiary of the new Big Rock Kids Tournament, slated for July 14-17, 2021, the Boys and Girls Club will get a much needed boost from Big Rock each year. To date, Big Rock has donated $172,000 to the local clubs and are excited about the future donations.
ST. EGBERT OUTDOOR SCIENCE CENTER A REALITY THANKS TO BIG ROCK
St. Egbert Catholic School students will now be able to expand their active and collaborative learning through the new Outdoor Science center funded by a $53,000 Big Rock grant. This new addition is part of a whole campus upgrade plan charting a course toward achievement.
The Ocean Foundation/Tag-A-Giant
WEST CARTERET ATHLETICS RECEIVE NEW EQUIPMENT
IGFA Hall of Famer, Charles Perry joined Morehead’s charter crew “The General” this year for its 25th year of tagging giant bluefin tuna off the Morehead City coast. The Big Rock was proud to sponsor the 25 acoustic tags and program to detect fish tagged in North Carolina at receivers along the eastern seaboard.
ADDITIONAL GIVING:
After Hurricane Florence destroyed the WCHS weight room, the school salvaged what they could. This year Big Rock stepped in to fund full replacement of the rusted 20-year old equipment to assist WCHS athletes to achieve their fitness goals. Weightlifting Instructor, Daniel Barrow commented, “We greatly appreciate what Big Rock Tournament has done for our community over the years. Over $6 million in charitable contributions is a staggering figure. It’s hard to imagine any organization has had a bigger impact on the well-being of our community than the Big Rock Tournament.”
Another Perspective.......................................................... 24,000 Beaufort Historical Association........................................ 25,000 Broad Creek Middle School............................................... 37,500 Camp Albemarle ............................................................... 20,000 Carteret County Historical Society....................................25,000 East Carteret High School................................................. 10,000 Foundation for Shackleford Horses.................................... 6,500 Friends of Scouting Down East......................................... 20,000 Joseph Albany, Jr. Memorial Fund Scholarship............... 2,500 Make A Wish Foundation................................................... 15,000 The Bridge Downeast........................................................ 36,000 West Carteret High School Band...................................... 35,000 Carteret Community College ............................................ 25,000 thebigrock.com
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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA EAST CARO LINA COUNCIL Total Amount Donated Since 1986:
$146,000
F
or more than 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been providing character education and citizenship training to America’s young men in a setting that encourages them to take charge. The leadership training that local youth get in Scouting is unmatched, as is the support from local communities. The support that the East Carolina Council gets from the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament has played a vital part in ensuring that the movement continues to improve the lives of all its Scouts and their families. East Carolina Council serves more than 10,000 youth and more
than 2,900 volunteer adult leaders in 20 eastern NC counties, including the world renowned Crystal Coast. Scouts participate in unique learning experiences that help them develop their appreciation, skills and leadership abilities for good stewardship of our land and water resources. East Carolina Council provides facilities and programs for use by Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Venturing Crews and interested public groups can take part in interactive, hands-on learning that will develop our future leaders at several locations. The East Carolina Scout Reservation, our main camping area, encompasses Camp Boddie, the Pamlico Sea Base and the PotashCorp ECO Lodge in Blount’s Creek, on the Pamlico River east of Chocowinity. Toward the coast, there is Camp Sam Hatcher
Conservation. Inno
THE BROAD STREET CLINIC BELIEVING IN CARING AND SERVING Total Amount Donated Since 1986:
$102,600
T
he Broad Street Clinic has been providing free medical and pharmaceutical services to uninsured and under insured residents of Carteret County and surrounding areas since 1993. Patients must be at or below the 200% federal poverty level. Patients also must qualify medically by having one of 5 chronic diseases: heart disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, and hypertension or thyroid disease. Free medical care is provided to BSC patients by over 40 health care 68 | BIG ROCK
in Newport and to the west, in Bailey, is Camp Charles. Programs at these camps are sure to provide a fun, engaging outdoor experience that is sure to enrich the lives of the visitors and their families.
providers. Health care providers volunteer weekly to ensure patient needs are met. Currently the clinic has over 900 active patients. The Clinic continues to offer our regular medical clinic, eye clinic, gynecological clinic and limited dental clinic. The Clinic is a member of the National Association of Free Clinics and a member of the NC Association of Free Clinics. Funds received from the Big Rock are used for general operating expenses and to purchase medicines and supplies necessary for BSC patients. It takes 70 volunteer hours each week with the supervision from four pharmacists to ensure patients receive their medications. 22,000 prescriptions were dispensed from the BSC pharmacy with a value of $3 million during 2017.
Core Charities
HISTORY MUSEUM OF CARTERET COUNTY CARTERET COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Total Amount Donated Since 1986:
$134,500
T
he Carteret County Historical Society’s “History Place” is a 501c3 nonprofit whose educational mission it is to preserve and interpret the human history of the county from early Native American times through the present. We accomplish this by offering various history products to the general public, including in-school programs, publications, exhibits, a family genealogical library and presentations by various speakers and groups. We fund these activities in a variety of ways. Our Les A. Ewen Auditorium lays at the heart of our income
producing assets. Year round, we rent this hall to various groups, wedding parties, musical performers, governmental agencies and others. We also present our own local history programs within its walls. The $5,000 contribution has been added to another $3,000 from the Town of Morehead City and some money in our capital budget, and applied this year to two capital projects including the refinishing of our auditorium’s floor ($6,500) and the replacement of old windows on the side of our building that faces 10th Street ($2,400) - this is the Infusion Cafe’s portion of our operation. We put in new thermal pain windows, and did a far better job of insulating the surrounds than was first done back in 2001. The Society operates on roughly $110,000 per year – averaging 15-20,000 visitors per
CARTERET COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY year. It is supported through grants, donations, fund-raisers and membership. Many consider what we hold as the “living memory” of the county. We are very thankful for the Big Rock Tournament’s grant in support of our work.
vation. Charitable Giving. MARTHA'S MISSION CUPBOARD
MAKING A DIFFERENCE WHEN PEOPLE HELP AND SHARE Total Amount Donated Since 1986:
$68,000
W
e at Martha’s Mission are especially thankful to the Big Rock for the donations we receive each year. This year your money was spent on our operation. We had new clients and we have been seeing more people. Your wonderful donation is what keeps us going, especially, during the first part of the year when we are trying to restock our food. Martha’s Mission is an emergency Food Bank, all made possible by donations and
volunteers. We provides food to an average of 300 and 350 families every month. Families in need of food are screened and referred to us by State or Federal social service agencies in Carteret County. The amount of food given to each family depends on the number of people in the family. Martha's Mission Cupboard is solely ran by volunteers, established to provide the needy citizens of Carteret County a temporary supply of nutritious and balanced food at no cost. Our goal is to tide them over during a temporary financial crisis or while they are awaiting permanent assistance from the State or Federal Government.
MARTHA'S MISSION
Cupboard
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TAKE A KID FISHING FOUNDATION BECAUSE EVERY KID DESERVES A CHANCE Total Amount Donated Since 1986:
$120,000
T
hirty two years ago Bob Hodges began inspiring others to join with him in sharing the joys of fishing. He believed that fishing was a skill that was not learned, but something that should be shared. Passed on from generation to generation by those that loved the sport. A child from humble beginnings, Bob knew firsthand what a gift such as this would mean to thousands of disabled and disadvantaged youth from all across North Carolina. It was through his work that the North Carolina based nonprofit; “Take A Kid Fishing Foundation, Inc.” was born. Solely supported through grants and
donations, the Foundation, its many donors and volunteers have worked to enrich the lives of over 16,000 children through an opportunity to go saltwater fishing. Baiting hooks and casting lines they shared in their knowledge of fishing. Taught the importance of utilizing ethical angling practices and encouraged our youth to become good stewards of our ocean environment.
continue to exists. To learn more about the TAKF Foundation Inc. , make a donation or to volunteer visit our website at www.takf.org.
It has been a rewarding experience for participants, many of which have never seen the ocean or felt the tug of a line and a heartfelt day for the volunteers and contributors that give each year of their resources, talent and time. They have shared their experiences together creating memories that last a lifetime. Thank you Big Rock for believing in “Charity First”. It is through your continued participation and support that many deserving organizations like the Take A Kid Fishing Foundation, Inc.,
Conservation. Inno
NC UNIVERSITY CENTER
FOR MARINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Total Amount Donated Since 1986:
$153,000
N
orth Carolina State University’s Center for Marine Science and Technology (CMAST), located in Morehead City, has worked with the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament since 2003 to sample these fishes from the tournament. In addition to collecting samples for our own research, we also sample these fish for other scientists that work on these species. The opportunity to sample some of these animals is quite
70 | BIG ROCK
rare. The following information and samples are taken from yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dolphin, and blue marlin: length, weight, sex, a variety of tissues (e.g., muscle, reproductive organs, liver, heart, stomachs, and mucus), and hard parts (e.g., scales, otoliths, and fish spines). To date, we have collected samples for over a dozen marine biologists working along the U.S. Atlantic coast. The fish captured during the Big Rock Tournament are top predators in the surface waters of the ocean. They have extremely high feeding rates and may have a disproportionately large effect on their prey populations when compared to other predators. Stomach contents are being analyzed by N.C. State University
Core Charities
to determine the principal prey of these species. To date, dolphin and yellowfin tuna have the most diverse diets with a variety of fish and invertebrates including flyingfish, filefish, and squid. However, blue marlin and wahoo appear to be very selective, feeding mainly on frigate mackerel.
HOPE MISSION
ONE MEAL AT A TIME
Total Amount Donated Since 1986:
$86,600
H
ope Mission Christian Ministries is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in the heart of Morehead City, NC to serve Carteret County and surrounding areas. With the generous support of Big Rock, Hope Mission of Carteret County, Inc. is in its 30th year of ministering to our community. Hope Mission is all about “serving others with many hands and one heart” as we offer help and HOPE to those in need. The Community Kitchen serves balanced meals seven days/ week. Thanks to ongoing support from the Big Rock Blue Marlin
Tournament, Hope Mission was able to provide an additional 900 meals bringing our total for 2019 to 38,098 meals served. With the partnership of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament we are helping people move from a state of hopelessness to hope and we continue to help people move out of poverty to become self-sufficient, contributing, successful members of society. We look forward to your continued support because with you we can "Serve others with many hands and one heart". Hope Mission operates entirely on contributions from individuals, families, churches, civic groups, and charitable organizations. The generous support of Big Rock is so greatly appreciated in these challenging economic times! If you would like further information please contact the
Executive Director of Hope Mission, Pastor Gene McLendon at 252-5154361 or gene@hmcm.org, or check out our web site at www.hmcm.org.
vation. Charitable Giving.
CAROBELL, INC.
STATION CLUB ENTERPRISE
Total Amount Donated Since 1986:
$92,500
T
he Big Rock Foundation has been helping Carobell, Inc’s Station Club Enterprise expand its possibilities for more than 25 years. Located in Morehead City, Station Club Enterprise is a private, non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization serving adults with cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities. Funds received through these generous donations provided by the Big Rock Foundation have afforded Carobell/Station Club the possibility to expand our capabilities to provide
our members with choices of tasks/ activity opportunities and to reach out with new ideas and concepts. This truly fulfills our mission, which is to provide self-directed support for members with intellectual developmental disabilities, empowering them to reach their fullest potential. Past donations have enabled Station Club to purchase many needed items for our members such as iPads, a laptop computer and accessories to assist them in developing technology skills and increasing problem-solving skills. All of Carobell/Station Club staff and members alike are extremely appreciative of this continual community support. A big thank you goes to our steadfast community friends, Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. thebigrock.com
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NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY CARTERET COUNTY Total Amount Donated Since 1986:
$117,000
F
ounded in 1932, the mission of the North Carolina Symphony is to be the North Carolina state orchestra, achieving the highest level of artistic quality and performance standards, and embracing its dual legacies of statewide service and music education. Each year, the North Carolina Symphony’s 300 concerts, education programs, and community engagement events are enjoyed by adults and schoolchildren in more than 90 North Carolina counties. The Symphony dedicates more resources to statewide music education than any other professional orchestra in the U.S., demonstrating a deep commitment to making music education widely accessible
throughout the state. This extensive program serves more than 70,000 students of all ages each year, many of whom live in rural and under-resourced areas with limited access to the arts. We also provide training and resources for teachers in alignment with the curriculum set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Music education has been a pillar of our mission for more than seven decades, and we are proud to build the next generation of musicians and music lovers. For over 20 years, The Big Rock Foundation has supported our music education programs, enabling over 10,000 Carteret County 4th grade students from public, private, charter, and home schools to see the North Carolina Symphony at no charge to the students or their families. This concert is often the first time the students have heard a live orchestra, an experience many of them would not have otherwise. The Symphony removes obstacles by bringing the
music to the students and by making classical music educational, accessible, and fun. For many, this experience is life-changing and becomes a cherished childhood memory. We are grateful to The Big Rock Foundation for their dedication to the importance of the arts in the lives of young people.
Conservation. Innovation. Charitable Giving.
DO YOU SHOP ON AMAZON? Now, when you shop, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Big Rock Foundation, Inc. Register your Amazon account to our charity link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-2189146 Or search Big Rock Foundation to make your purchases help support our charities.
72 | BIG ROCK
Core Charities
THE TRADITION CONTINUES!
PROUD SPONSOR OF THE BIG ROCK r el ea s ema rin e.c om thebigrock.com
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THIS MAGIC MOMENT Three Blue Marlin released by three generations By Carlee Sharpe
Jarrett Bay Hull #27 owner Lee McClamb has fished 20 of the last 22 Big Rocks with his friends and most importantly family by his side. He has had his share of luck weighing in a 462.5lb Blue Marlin in 1999 and taking home the top release prize of $73,000 back in 2004. The Magic Moment that McClamb has always dreamed of finally occurred on the last day of the 62nd Annual Big Rock Tournament. The week was off to a rocky start when the crew put their trust in Board Member and Jarrett Bay Boatworks President Randy Ramsey to fix a mechanical issue discovered on the Sunday before fishing. “Randy and his guys worked until we felt certain that we would find some fish.” With their confidence restored, Magic Moment set off in search of the winning Blue Marlin, but what they found was worth more than the potential million-dollar prize.
If another one hits, grandpa is going to reel it in.
THE FAMILY AFFAIR EARNED THE CREW $47,813 LEE, MICHAEL, & CARTER MCCLAMB STAND PROUDLY WITH THEIR RELEASE FLAGS.
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Within an hour of lines in on Saturday, Jr. Angler Carter McClamb released his first-ever Blue Marlin. The celebration was just underway when Michael McClamb began fighting an estimated 400lb Blue Marlin. After their second release, Lee told his crew “If another one hits, grandpa is going to reel it in''. Before noon, three generations of McClamb men had each released a blue marlin, making it a Magic Moment for everyone on board!
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63RD
ANNUAL
JUNE 11-20, 2021
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F U L L PA I N T RE-FITS R E - P OW E R S SONAR SEAKEEPERS H E AV Y L I F T I N G AND TO U G H C A S E S thebigrock.com
BIG ROCK | 79
63RD ANNUAL BIG ROCK
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Meet our Winners!
HEAVIEST BLUE MARLIN
1ST PLACE PELAGIC HUNTER II 495.2 lbs. Captain John Cruise III Angler Riley Adkins $206,688
1st, 2nd & 3rd place were all within just ONE POUND of each other! PELAGIC HUNTER II was entered in Level I, II, VI & IX; therefore, 4th Place prize money was paid to HATTER-DONE for Levels III & IV Blue Marlin WTA payouts. 80 | BIG ROCK
2ND PLACE
SEA STRIKER 495 lbs. Captain Adrian Holler Angler Jon Henry $1,056,138
4TH PLACE
3RD PLACE
PREDATOR 494.2 lbs. Captain Chris Barnett Angler Gene Olmo $273,750
FABULOUS FISHERMAN'S
A Rolls-Royce solution DISTRIBUTED & SERVICED BY
HATTER-DONE 488.1 lbs. Captain Christopher Daniels Angler Jason Daniels $130,050
LO QUE SEA 2250 Release Points Captain Garrett Yarbrough $552,500 thebigrock.com
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LEVEL VII
WEEKLY RELEASE
WINNER TAKE ALL
RELEASE
1ST PLACE $47,813 Each
LO QUE SEA 5 Blue Marlin, 2 Sailfish 2250 Points Captain Garrett Yarbrough $151,938
ORRSMAN LO QUE SEA MAMA WHO SEA WOLF ELECTRIC BILL MAGIC MOMENT
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1200 points 1200 points 800 points 400 points 800 points 1200 points
DAILY 1ST BILLFISH
RELEASED
2ND PLACE
SEA I SEA 4 Blue Marlin 1600 Points Captain Kevin Gaylord $91,163
3RD PLACE
$5,000 Each
CAPTAIN ANGLER
Monday PEGGY
Mike Guthrie
Tuesday LO QUE SEA
Garrett Yarbrough Tony Huerta
Wed.
POST CALL
Thursday SEA WOLF Friday
PIRACY
Doug Abrams
Gene Ward
Abbitt Goodwin
Donnie White
Tony Matina
Chris Russell
CJ Struyk
Saturday WALL HANGER Brian Allen
Stacy Allen
62ND BILLFISH
RELEASED CHUNDA Captain Jeff Crabtree Angler Hunter Geddes $6,200
POST CALL 3 Blue Marlin, 1 White Marlin 1325 Points Captain Gene Ward $60,775 82 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
205 TOTAL BOATS
185 RELEASES 144 BLUE MARLIN 22 WHITE MARLIN 19 SAILFISH
GAMEFISH
WEEKLY
1st Place Dolphin SINGULARIS 55.2 lbs. Angler Zac Yarbrough Captain John VanDellen $5,000
2nd Place Dolphin CAROLINA GIRL 51.5 lbs. Angler Steve Ash Captain Jordan Croswait $3,000
1st Place Wahoo C-ESCAPE 75.2 lbs. Angler Randy Britt Captain Alan Downey $5,000
2nd Place Wahoo HAMMER TIME 47.2 lbs. Angler Steve Mozeley Captain Austin Eubank $3,000
LEVEL VI WTA
DOLPHIN
DOLPHIN WINNER TAKE ALL
SINGULARIS 55.2 lbs. Angler Zac Yarbrough Captain John VanDellen $395,250
GAMEFISH
DAILY
Monday 1st Place Dolphin 2nd Place Dolphin 1st Place Wahoo 2nd Place Wahoo
PERSISTENCE SALT LICK HAMMER TIME SECOND CHANCE
47.5 46.2 47.2 16.8
$2,000 $1,000 $2,000 $1,000
Tuesday 1st Place Dolphin SINGULARIS 2nd Place Dolphin POST CALL 1st Place Wahoo C-ESCAPE
55.2 $2,000 34.8 $1,000 75.2 $2,000
Wednesday 1st Place Dolphin 2nd Place Dolphin 1st Place Wahoo
37.9 $2,000 37.1 $1,000 36.7 $2,000
WOLVERINE RENEGADE ORRSMAN
Thursday 1st Place Dolphin DOUBLE B 2nd Place Dolphin MARKED OFF
25.0 $2,000 22.7 $1,000
Friday 1st Place Dolphin SEA I SEA 34.2 $2,000 32.9 $1,000 2nd Place Dolphin FIN PLANNER 1st Place Wahoo CHUNDA 21.3 $2,000 Saturday 1st Place Dolphin CAROLINA GIRL 2nd Place Dolphin AVA D
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51.5 $2,000 35.0 $1,000
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LEVEL IX
OUTBOARD
ADDITIONAL
BLUE MARLIN
1ST PLACE
PELAGIC HUNTER II Captain John Cruise III 495.2 lbs. $16,575
DANCIN OUTLAW 470.4 lbs.
CATCH 23 442.3 lbs.
2ND PLACE
DEMOLISHED PROFITS Captain Kyle Corbett 525 points $9,945
HAMMER TIME 450.2 lbs.
REEL STEEL 450 lbs.
BILL COLLECTOR 453.7 lbs.
DOUBLE B 419 lbs.
3RD PLACE
HIGH OCTANE Captain James SHarp 400 points $6,630 84 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
JUNIOR ANGLER
16 years and under
GAMEFISH
SALT LICK Largest Dolphin 46.2 lbs. Angler Charlie Grant III Captain Charlie Grant
SECOND CHANCE Largest Wahoo 16.8 lbs. Angler Will Dalonzo Captain Michael Biggerstaff
JUNIOR ANGLER
RELEASE BOAT NAME
WOLVERINE MICABE BILL COLLECTOR EL CAZADOR EL CAZADOR MAGIC MOMENT MARLIN FEVER MARLIN FEVER SKIRT CHASER
CAPTAIN Rocky Hardison Newt Cagle Stephen Draughon Mike Kennedy Mike Kennedy Jimmy Grant Cameron Guthrie Cameron Guthrie Barry Daniels
JR. ANGLER Ty Fletcher Rance Jennings Sarah Margeret Dyer Jack Ricks Gillian Ricks Carter McLamb Thomas Daniel Henry Daniel Willliam Ramsey IV
RELEASE 2 BM 1 BM, 1 WM BM BM BM BM BM BM BM
POINTS 800 525 400 400 400 400 400 400 400
ADDITIONAL GAMEFISH
EL CAZADOR Gillian Ricks
SECOND CHANCE Will Dalonzo
TALKIN TRASH Garrett Braswell
KATESSA II Kai Williams
SOUTHPAW Owen Techet
WALL HANGER Braxton Allen
CAROLINA GIRL Jack Snipes
EZ BOY Braxton Tutor thebigrock.com
BIG ROCK | 85
A sportfishing legend's boat in the heart of the competition By Carlee Sharpe
The 62nd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament welcomed 205 elite sportfishing boats equipped with the latest technology and experienced crews. Though it was a new face in the competition, one contender carried a reputation for excellence: Chunda. The 48’ Merritt has shattered many world records in the hands of sportfishing legend, Stewart Campbell. Campbell once landed eight grander (over 1,000lb) blue marlin in one season and went head to head with a grander when he was pulled overboard in a dramatic fight. Nowadays, Chunda is in the hands of a young, but determined crew. Captain Jeff Crabtree, 27 sits at the helm knowing he has big shoes to fill. Despite being a first-time participant, owner Hunter Geddes, 25 went all-in for the competition, confident he would take home a fraction of the $3 million prize.
THE 62ND RELEASE BY CHUNDA EARNED THE CREW $6,200.
CHUNDA PLACED 8 OF 205 BOATS WITH 3 BM RELEASED.
FOUNDATION The Big Foundation would like to extend a Thank You to our 61st Annual Big Rock winner, Top Dog. Todd & Kyle Dickerson contributed $15,000 to the Foundation during the 2020 Tournament. PLATINUM DONORS $50,000 GOLD DONORS $10,000 86 | BIG ROCK
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That's exactly what Geddes did. On day two Crabtree was zoned in on blue marlin. The crew debated giving one of Geddes' estimated 400lb marlins a ride back to the scales but decided to let it grow. Mates Tanner Miller, 20 & Bo Jenyns made the right call. That blue marlin was the 62nd release of the tournament, earning Chunda $6,200. The week progressed and Crabtree stayed in the bite. On Friday, Geddes released another blue marlin, and angler Clay Crabtree weighed a 21.3lb wahoo. The team pocketed an additional $2,000 for Clay's catch. By lines out on Saturday, the junior crew racked up 1,200 release points for their three blue marlin, ranking eighth overall, and taking home $8,200 in total prize money. Proving that Chunda continues to live up to the legacy in her hull.
The Crystal Coast Tournament, Inc. dba, The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament has established a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization known as The Big Rock Foundation, Inc. This entity is a wonderful vehicle for participants and the public to make tax-deductible contributions to a fund, which will support Big Rock charities on a sustaining and ongoing basis. “The tournament has always had participants who want to contribute to the charities we support, especially after a win” commented Joy Bell, Big Rock president. “Lonnie Poole contributed $14,000 to our charity fund after his win in 1998 allowing the tournament more funds to help the victims of Hurricane Floyd that following fall. It is another way of giving back to those who are less fortunate”, Joy explained. In 2017, Arthur Kontos made a $25,000 donation to the Foundation at the weigh station as a way of giving back. The Big Rock appreciates any support you could contribute both during the tournament and all year through. Please make checks payable to “The Big Rock Foundation, Inc.” 710 Evans Street Morehead City, NC 28557.
SILVER DONORS $5,000 BRONZE DONORS $2,000
&
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THE ELUSIVE BLUE MARLIN
The Blue Marlin is one of the largest game fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean. Individuals may exceed 13 feet and weigh over 1,300 pounds. The species is found throughout much of the western Atlantic, seasonally ranging in latitude from about 45°N to 35°S. There appear to be two seasonal concentrations, one from January through April in the southwestern Atlantic between latitudes 5° and 30°S, and the other from June through October, in the northwestern Atlantic between latitudes 10° and 35°N. Blue Marlin are most frequently caught off North Carolina, in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea, and off Brazil. The body is dark blue to chocolate brown along the back and upper sides, changing to silvery white on the belly. On the sides there are approximately 15 pale blue vertical bars. Blue Marlin may be distinguished from White Marlin, Tetrapturus Albidus, by the dorsal and anal fins and by the fish’s size. The dorsal and anal fins of Blue Marlin are 88 | BIG ROCK
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pointed, whereas White Marlin have rounded fins. The first dorsal fin of the Blue Marlin is much shorter relative to the body depth when compared to that of the White Marlin. Any marlin caught off the southeastern United States weighing over 150 pounds is almost certainly a Blue Marlin. Life history information on the species is scarce. Some generalities, however, may be made. Sexual maturity for males is attained when fish weigh about 76 pounds, 103 to 135 pounds for females. Blue Marlin spawn in the North Atlantic from July through September, and in the South Atlantic in February and March. The eggs and larvae are free floating. Longevity probably exceeds 15 years, although most fish caught are less than 10 years old. Age and size data are not available, but we do know that a Blue Marlin 4 feet long weighs about 44 pounds, one 8 feet long weighs about 319 pounds, and a fish 13 feet long weighs around 817 pounds. Blue Marlin feed on squid and a variety of pelagic fishes such as dolphin, tuna, mackerel, and flyingfish. Scientists argue whether the bill is used in feeding. However, divers have reported seeing marlins not only stun prey with their bills but also use them to spear fish. Impaled fish were dislodged by the marlin violently shaking its head, and then were swallowed.
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Eastbay Media is proud to again have been selected to be the live webcast provider for the 62nd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Good luck anglers!
2021 PARTICIPANTS A Special Thanks to our BIG ROCK, BIG HERO Fleet: Accordingly IV, Builder's Choice, Can Do Too, El Cazador, Job Site, Just Chillin' and Top Dog!
96 | BIG ROCK
Presented by
ACCORDINGLY IV Viking 76’ Jacksonville, NC Owner: Accordingly II LLC Capt: Peter DuBose
ARTEMIS Sea Ray 42’ Stantonsburg, NC Owner: H&T Trucking, Inc. Capt: Johnnie Brock
BIG DAWG Buddy Davis 58' N. Myrtle Beach, SC Owner: Keith Harrold Captain: Bryan Atkinson
ANITA JEAN Winter Custom Yachts 64' Kinston, NC Owner & Captain: Peter Watson
ASHLEY LAUREN Ricky Scarborough 46’ Raleigh, NC Owner: Island Adventures Captain: Mark Annis
BIG OIL Viking 62' Vincentown, NJ Owner: Doug Allen Captain: Tim Tanghare
ANN WARRICK Paul Mann 76’ Midlothian, VA Owner: Linwood Lacy Captain: Brad Diaz
AVA D Custom Carolina 62’ Havelock, NC Owner & Captain: Jerry Jackson
BILL COLLECTOR Jarrett Bay 55’ Morehead City, NC Owner: Bill Collector Offshore, LLC Capt: Stephen Draughon
ANNALI Merrit 37' Annapolis, MD Owner: Stephen Annali Captain: Bill Bew
BAD BECKY Garlington 54' Rock Hill, SC Owner: Claude Burns Captain: Chase Merriman
BIZZY B World Cat 33’ Kinston, NC Owner & Captain: Rob Bizzell
ANNIE C Bertram 42' Raleigh, NC Owner: Brick Brown Captain: Whit Brown
BAD HABIT Hatteras 60' Hubert, NC Owner: John Steele Captain: John Steele II
BLUE EYES Shearline 57’ Emerald Isle, NC Owner: Billy & Terri Farrington Capt: Billy Farrington
ANNIE O Guthrie 60' Raleigh, NC Owner & Captain: Brad Sutton
BAM Spencer 37' Greensboro, NC Owner & Captain: Blaine DuBose
BLUE SKY Spencer 60' Pawleys Island, SC Owner: Greg Smith Captain: Jay Weaver
ANNISTON-QUINN Grady White 45' Wilmington, NC Owner & Captain: Ben Zucker
BANK WALKER Sportsman 60’ Raleigh, NC Owner & Captain: Bryant Montague
BLUE WATER Buddy Harris 54’ Greenville, NC Owner & Captain: Jimmy Hite
APRIL MAE Hatteras 65' New Bern, NC Owner & Captain: Joe Visser
BENCH MARK Buddy Cannady 58’ Greenwood, SC Owner: Bench Mark Sportfishing, LLC Capt: Bobby Garmany
BOW MOVEMENT Sea Fox 32' Southport, NC Owner & Captain: David Moxley
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BOX OFFICE Grady White 37’ Wrightsville Beach, NC Owner & Captain: Joe Elphick
CAROLINA GENTLEMAN Holton 61' Andros, Bahamas Owner & Captain: Skipper Gentry
CRITTER II Atlantic 45’ Holden Beach, NC Owner: Carrie Critz Captain: Chris Critz
BUCKSHOTT Cap N Squid 65' Atlantic Beach, NC Owner & Captain: John McMullen
CAROLINA GIRL Regulator 34' Morehead City, NC Owner & Captain: Thomas Glasgow
CURRENT SEA Hydrosport 33’ Emerald Isle, NC Owner: Mike Patchkofsky Captain: Rob Best
BUILDER’S CHOICE Jarrett Bay 64’ New Bern, NC Owner: BC4, LLC Capt: Brent Gaskill
CAROLINA GIRL Hatteras 54’ Lancaster, VA Owner: Steve Ash Captain: Jordan Croswait
CUT AND DRY Bertram 60' Myrtle Beach, NC Owner & Captain: Fred Sancilio
C-ESCAPE Viking 55' Durham, NC Owner & Captain: William Downey
CAROLINA LADY Viking 50’ Fayetteville, NC Owner: Carolina Lady Charters Captain: Fred Willis
DANCIN’ OUTLAW C & L 56’ Summerfield, NC Owner: Crystal Coast Charters Capt: Joey Rivenbark
C-PHASE Contender 39' Kinston, NC Owner & Captain: Gary Whaley
CAROLINA TIME Gwaltney 56’ Raleigh, NC Owner: Reel Partners Sportfishing Capt: Shane Brafford
DEMOLISHED PROFITS Wellcraft 35' Goldsboro, NC Owner & Captain: Kyle Corbett
CALCUTTA Ocean Yacht 56’ Virginia Beach, VA Owner & Captain: Joe Monds
CARTERICAN Gwaltney 57’ Morehead City, NC Owner: Jamie & Lee Smith Captain: Lee Smith
DIAMOND GIRL Weaver 68’ Raleigh, NC Owner: Clyde Bailey Captain: Junior Johnson
CALLISTO Garlington 61' Charlotte, NC Owner: Bo Mason Captain: Steve Crammer
CATCH 23 Viking 80' Jupiter, FL Owner: Sea Jumper LLC Captain: Stetson Turney
DITCH DIGGER Viking 48' Charlotte, NC Owner & Captain: Jimmy Price
CAN DO TOO Viking 52’ Stuart, FL Owner: Sid Gold Captain: Geoff Haramis
CHUNDA Merritt 48' Jacksonville Beach, FL Owner: Hunter Geddes Captain: Jeff Crabtree
DOC FEES Spencer 59' Wilmington, NC Owner: T&T Sportfishing LLC Capt: Taylor Pleasant
CANE POLE Bayliss 84' Melbourne, FL Owner: Bob Bull Captain: Dave Graham
CIRCUIT BREAKER Onslow Bay 33' Morehead City, NC Owner: Robbie King Captain: Phil Young
DONNA MAE Chadwick 61' Vero Beach, FL Owner & Captain: James Luihn
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DOROTHY MARIE Viking 48' Oriental, NC Owner: Andrew Kevlahan Capt: Robert Holmes
ELECTRIC BILL Spencer Yachts 60' Sullivan's Island, SC Owner: Thomas Sanders Capt: Jerry Owens
FLAT LINE Seacraft 32' New Bern, NC Owner & Captain: Roger Mayo Jr.
DOUBLE 07 Chadwick 61' Angier, NC Kathy Stancil
E-POX-SEA Contender 31' Washington, NC Owner & Captain: Chuck Hudson
FLORIDIAN Sportsmans 60' Stuart, FL Owner: Glenn & Jennifer Cameron Captain: Glenn Cameron
DOUBLE B Jarrett Bay 54’ Greenville, NC Owner & Captain: Harry Smith
EZ BOY Winter 40’ Trinity, NC Owner: EZ Boy Sportfishing Capt: Van Pierce
FOWL HOOKED Garlington 61’ Camden, SC Owner: Ron & Zach Prestage Capt: Ron Prestage
DRILLIN & BILLIN Viking 56' Woodbine, MD Owner: Edward Amos Captain: Lee Martin
FENDER BENDER Jarrett Bay 55’ Hampton, VA Owner: Bobby Whelan Captain: Elliott Curry
FRANCHISE SAILS Tideline 36 Stuart FL John Cohen David Elliott
DROPPED CALL Viking 61' Sparta, NC Owner & Captain: Bryan Leach
FIGHTING LADY Merritt 43' Clermont, FL Owner: James Verner Capt: Bart Sherwood
FREE SPOOL Viking 72' Jacksonville, FL Owner: Robert Rowe Captain: Ryan Leary
DUE SOUTH Bobby Sullivan 58' Morehead City, NC Owner: Bluewater Marine Investments Capt: Mark Chambers
FIN PLANNER Buddy Harris 58' Raleigh, NC Owner: Mark Fortier Capt: Chris Gornell
GAME CHANGER Billy Holton 60' Manteo, N.C. Owner: C & G Adventures Capt: Gregg Middleton
EL AZUL Yellow Fin 42' Athens, GA Owner: Ann Mahoney Captain: Ormande Mahoney
FIN PRINT Paul Mann 62’ New Bern, NC Owner:Owen Andrews Captain: Emery Ivey
GAME PLAN Viking 50' Sanford, NC Owner & Captain: Darryl Jones
EL BENDIDOS Viking 48' Beaufort, NC Owner: Paul Squarcia Capt: Mark Farnsworth
FIRST LOOK Weaver 60' Burlington, NC Owner: Todd Porterfield Captain: Alan Scibal
GAMEKEEPER Core Sound 55’ Wilmington, NC Owner: UKen Fish LLC Captain: Ken Upton
EL CAZADOR Ricky Scarborough 85’ Quitman, TX Owner: El Cazador Management, LLC Capt: Mike Kennedy
FISHIN’ PHYSICIAN Freeman 42’ Ocean Isle Beach, NC Owner & Captain: Dr. Kendall Suh
GENETIC DISORDER Viking 55' Beaufort, NC Shannon Diller Bennet Norman
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GOOMBAY Weaver 62’ Kannapolis, NC Owner: Terry Young Captain: Brian Peele
HIGH OCTANE Fountain 38' Kenly, NC Owner & Captain: James Sharp
JOHN BOAT Sonny Briggs 52' Winston Salem, NC Owner: Seth Yowell Capt: Jed Galloway
GRAND SLAM Paul Mann 61' New Smyrna Beach, FL Owner: Wallis Higginbotham Captain: Dave Grubbs
HIGH TIME Viking 50’ Youngsville, NC Owner & Captain: Ricky Rowland
JT Viking Yachts 58' Mount Laurel, NJ Owner: David Johnson Capt: Mark Mcdevit
GRET’S THREE J’S Blackwell 55' Lititz, PA Owner: John Conrad Captain: Christopher Martin
HONEY HUSH Spencer 62’ Raleigh, NC Owner: Rob Warren Captain: Chuck Lindner
JUST CHILLIN Ocean 52' Souix Falls, SD Owner: Charles White Capt: Christopher Fox
HAMMER TIME Spencer 54’ Charlotte, NC Owner: Steven Mozeley Capt: Austin Eubank
HORSE Captain Squid 58' Wrightsville Beach, NC Owner & Captain: Les Edwards
JUSTIFIED Hatteras 38' Durham, NC Owner: Robert Michael Capt: David Willick
HAPHAZARD Holton 61’ Winston-Salem, NC Owner: Hap Royster Captain: Joey Belton
HORSE PLAY Caison 55' Alexandia, VA Owner: Ted Keany Capt: Ryan Keany
KATESSA II GW Canyon 33' Raleigh, NC Owner: Patrick Kranick
HATTERAS FEVER II Ricky Scarborough 54' Buxton, NC Owner & Captain: Buddy Hooper
HYDROSPHERE Dean Johnson 57' Mt Pleasant, SC Owner: Peter Lorris Captain: Geoff Rosenberry
KILLIN TIME Carolina 50' Willards, MD Owner & Captain: Jason Norton
HATTER-DONE Hatteras 43' Garner, NC Owner: Chris Daniels Captain: Christopher Daniels
INSPIRATION Jarrett Bay 55’ Morehead City, NC Owner & Captain: Casey Wagner
KISS MY GASS Contender 35' Clinton, NC Owner & Captain: Jason Williford
HEELS N REELS Ocean Yacht 48' Salisbury, NC Owner: Michael Ivester Jr. Captain: Cl Lupton
J&B Wanchese 55’ Red Springs, NC Owner: J&B LLC Captain: Alan Murray
KNOT DONE YET Viking 72’ Elon, NC Owner: Knot Done Yet, LLC Captain: Mark Rogers
HELLO DOLLY Bertram 60’ Hubert, NC Owner & Captain: Matt Henderson
JOB SITE Viking 55’ Farmville, NC Owner & Captain: Bill Farrior
KRISTI KAY Albemarle 32’ New Bern, NC Owner & Captain: Mike Truesdale
Capt: Anthony Williams
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MARLIN FEVER Jarrett Bay 64’ Selma, NC Owner: Albert Daniel Captain: Cameron Guthrie
NATURAL Scarbourough 56' Beaufort, NC Owner: Heath Fulcher Captain: Carl Beale
LO QUE SEA Paul Mann 58’ Ft Pierce, FL Owner: Tony Huerta Captain: Garrett Yarborough
MARLIN GULL Buddy Cannady 55’ Edenton, NC Owner: 4M Captain: Kenny Midgett
NO QUARTER Taylor Made 54' New Castle, DE Owner: Michael Peet Captain: Kyle Peet
LONE WOLF Viking 35' Westfield, NC Owner: Tony Knight Capt: Mike Dupree
MARSH MADNESS Viking 47' Raleigh, NC Owner: Marsh & Sons Captain: Bob Marsh
NO-SEA-UM Grady White 25' Raleigh, NC Owner & Captain: Will Newman
LOVIN' LIFE Viking 62' Randoloph, NJ Owner: William Wrede Capt: Joseph Stansky
MEGABITE Dixon 57' Smithfield, NC Owner & Captain: Whitley Stephenson
OCEAN STINGER Luhrs 40' Wilmington, NC Owner & Captain: Jesse Gawlik
LOW PROFILE Custom Carolina Sportfisher 65' Belville, NC Owner & Captain: D Logan
MERCENARIA Viking 56' Cape Charles, VA Owner: Carroll Ballard Captain: Babel James
OFF SEASON Cabo 40' Stoneville, NC Owner: Abby Jones Captain: Chris Garner
MAGGIE Hatteras 60’ Atlantic Beach, NC Owner: Pro Environmental Services Capt: Randy Bryant
MICABE Jarrett Bay 55' Beaufort, SC Owner: Michael Larrow Captain: Newt Cagle
ORRSMAN Weaver 61' Comstock, NY Owner: Orrsman LLC (Kevin Orr) Capt: Ken Kramer
MAGIC MOMENT Jarrett Bay 55' Four Oaks, NC Owner: Lee McLamb Captain: Jimmy Grant
MISS PEGGY SUE II Viking 44’ Summeland Key, FL Owner & Captain: David Heeter
OUTNUMBERED Viking 65' Waxhaw, NC Owner: Kevin Summerville Capt: Ronnie Fields
MAMA WHO Jarrett Bay 77' Mt. Pleasant, SC Owner & Captain: Wil Thornhill
MJ'S Ocean 53' Jupiter, FL Owner & Captain: Michael Yocco
PAYROLL Regulator 31' Goldsboro, NC Owner: Jerry Tillman Capt. Jeremy Tillman
MARKED OFF Blackwell 54’ Clayton, NC
MOON DANCER Rebel Marine 41' Morehead City, NC Owner & Captain: Randall Russell
PEGGY Briglia 60’ Raleigh, NC Owner: Doug Abrams Capt: Mike Guthrie
LIGHTS OUT Bayliss 65' Key Largo, FL Owner & Captain: Chester Sims
Owner: Still Outnumbered Charters
Captain: Folden Lee 100 | BIG ROCK
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PELAGIC Guthrie 61' Atlantic Beach, NC Owner & Captain: Mike Webb
REEL COUNTRY Buddy Harris 58’ Oxford, NC Owner: Mark Ellington Capt: Dylan Rhudy
PELAGIC HUNTER II Contender 35' Sneads Ferry, NC Owner & Captain: John Cruise III
REEL HAPPY Grady White 31' Harkers Island, NC Owner & Captain: Gary Willis
PERSISTENCE Viking 53’ Garner, NC Owner & Captain: Ben Fish
REEL LOVE Privateer 28' Beaufort, NC Owner & Captain: Jeff Vreugdenhil
ROLLING STONE Fountain 38' Goldsboro, NC Owner & Captain: Dustin Myers
PIRACY Shearline 61’ Morehead City, NC Owner: Curtis & Russell Struyk Capt: Chris Russell
REEL QUICK Jarrett Bay 64’ Raeford, NC Owner: Carroll Thomas Capt: Brian Maready
SAILS PITCH C&L 58' Hampstead, NC Owner: Mark Dressler Captain: Brian Dressler
POCO LOCO Contender 32' Holly Springs, NC Owner & Captain: Mark Wichtrich
REEL RIGGING Grady White 27’ Greensboro, NC Owner & Captain: Christopher Clark
POST CALL Core Sound 56' Raleigh, NC Owner: Brian Bass Captain: Gene Ward
REEL STEEL Hines Farley 66' Mountain Lakes, NJ Owner: Mike Verzalano Capt: Jason Parker
SARCASTIC Edgewater 38’ Graham, NC Owner: Chandler & Wayne Rose Capt: Johnathan Rose
PREDATOR Leonard Rigsbee 57' California, MD Owner: William R Bonner III Capt: Chris Barnett
RELEASE Sullivan 53’ Hatteras, NC Owner & Captain: Rom Whitacker
SASHIMI Fountain 38' Lillington, NC Owner & Captain: Dallas Austin
QUOTE BOAT Jarrett Bay 43' Clinton, NC Owner: Ronnie Williams Captain: Tom Ronner
RE-LEASED Jamie Chadwick 61' Raleigh, NC Owner: Joe Segrave Capt: Luke Glennon
REEL AFFAIR Wellcraft 33’ Greenville, NC Owner & Captain: Jason Harlin
RELENTLESS Invincible 36' Greenville, NC Owner & Captain: Clint Sanders
RENEGADE Viking 72' Marco Island, FL Owner & Captain: Matt Mauchline
RETRIEVER Blackwell 40' Colonial Heights, VA Owner & Captain: RF Burke Steele III
SALT LICK Yellowfin 36' Wake Forest, NC Owner & Captain: Charlie Grant
SAVANNA LEIGH Guthrie 40’ Clayton, NC Owner: Shawn White Captain: Troy Pate SEA CREATURE Capn. Squid 58’ Hatteras, NC Owner & Captain: Steve "Creature" Coulter thebigrock.com
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SEA FIX Scarborough 50' Mt Pleasant, SC Owner: Harry and Francis Johnson Capt: John Thomas
SHIFTING GEARS Briggs 57’ Trinity, NC Owner: Terry Labonte Capt: Pizza Kannan
SWEET CAROLINE Grady White 33' Belews Creek, NC Owner & Captain: Thomas Stanley
SEA HOUND Core Sound 56’ Kure Beach, NC Owner: M&M King Ent LLC Captain: Mike King
SINGULARIS Bayliss 90’ Hobe Sound, FL Owner: Blue Bird Enterprises Captain: John Van Dellen
SYKED OUT Viking 56’ Isle of Palms, SC Owner: Dave Sykes Captain: Dan Woody
SEA I SEA Viking 72’ Swansboro, NC Owner: Sea I Sea Fishing Team LLC Capt: Kevin Gaylord
SKIRT CHASER Buddy Cannady 53’ Manteo, NC Owner & Captain: Barry Daniels
TAIL GUNNER Paul Mann 53’ Raleigh, NC Owner: Adam Shack Captain: Will Ross
SEA SPELL Grady White 37' Autryville, NC Owner: Chris & Wendy Spell Captain: Chris Spell
SOUTHPAW Southport 33' Raleigh, NC Owner: Steven Techet Captain: Andrew Techet
TALKIN TRASH Sailfish 26' Apex, NC Owner & Captain: Mike Cotton
SEA STRIKER Jarrett Bay 61’ Morehead City, NC Owner & Captain: Adrian Holler
STARFLITE Jarrett Bay 58’ Beaufort, NC Owner: Jarrett Bay Boatworks Capt: Joey Johnson
TAMMY GAIL Everglades 32’ Fuquay Varina, NC Owner & Captain: Sam Honeycutt
STETSON’S REVENGE Grady White 28’ Raleigh, NC Owner & Captain: Brian Spicer
TEAM PARKER Yellowfin 36' Newport, NC Owner & Captain: Todd Parker
SEA TOY Spencer 59’ Manteo, NC Owner: Sea Toy, LLC Captain: Bull Tolson
SEA WOLF Sullivan 53' Kitty Hawk, NC Owner & Captain: Donnie White
SECOND CHANCE Bertram 28' Greenville, NC Owner & Captain: Michael Biggerstaff SENSATION Jarrett Bay 53’ Greenville, NC Owner: Michael Rowe Captain: Adam Price 102 | BIG ROCK
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STRING LINE Viking 48' Wake Forest, NC Owner: Darren Hilyer Captain: Mark Schlenker
TEXAS TEA Spencer 62' Staten Island, NY Michael Savino Patrick Brogan
SUSHI Island Boatworks 57’ Nags Head, NC Owner & Captain: Charley Pereira
THE FOUR NORSEMEN Viking 38' Slanesville, WV Owner & Captain: Scott Hubbard
SUSIE Q Hatteras 50' Newport, NC Owner: Timmy Rhodes Captain: Keith Smith
THE GENERAL Buddy Cannady 55’ Raleigh, NC Owner: Zack Schuch Capt: Wade Fickling
THE REEL MCKEEL Grady White 30’ Wilson, NC Owner & Captain: Michael McKeel
TWO WEEKS NOTICE Viking 68' Mount Pleasant, SC Owner: King Blue Charters LLC Captain: Travis Waits
WILLIN Hatteras 46' Wilmington, NC Owner & Captain: Gary Duncan
TOP DOG BC 60’ Olney, MD Owner: Dickerson Family Captain: Ryan Knapp
UNO MAS Willis 77’ Ft. Lauderdale, FL Owner & Captain: Brooks Smith
WOLVERINE Winter 60’ Port Huron MI Owner: Gary Fletcher Captain: Rocky Hardison
TOPSHELF Hatteras 50’ Sunset Beach, NC Owner: No Limits Sportfishing LLC Capt: Daniel Monette
WALL HANGER YellowFin 39' Raleigh, NC Owner & Captain: Brian Allen
XCESSIVE RISK Contender 39' Emerald Isle, NC Owner & Captain: Athan Parker
TRAVELER Jarrett Bay 58' Knightdale, NC Owner: Vann P:air Capt: Moon Crossman
WASTE KNOT Jarrett Bay 67’ Morehead City, NC Owner: Poole Family Captain: Michael Tickle
YELLOWFIN BC 56’ Morehead City, NC Owner & Captain: Jeff Garner
TRIPLE ‘S’ Viking 60’ Newport, NC Owner: Triple 'S' IV Captain: Todd Smith
WATERTIGHT Seahunter 45' Sneads Ferry, NC Owner: Todd Gallaher Capt: Zack Gallaher
ZUES Sculley 60' Saint Cloud, FL Owner & Captain: Sandy Smith
TRUE BLUE Regulator 28' Atlantic Beach, NC Owner: Lewis & Bland Wall Captain: Carter Wall
WELDOR’S ARK Jarrett Bay 55’ Greenville, NC Owner: John B. Roberts Captain: Mike Taylor
TWIN FIN Buddy Harris 55’ Salter Path, NC Owner: Twin Fin Charter Fishing LLC Captain: Casey Fjorini
WHITE CAPS Buddy Davis 52’ Wilson, NC Owner: Steve White Captain: Scott Wiggins
205 boats fished big rock IN 2020
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252-247-YOGA (9642)
www.momentumyoganc.com 2900 Arendell St. #16 Morehead City, NC 28557
Supporting neighbors. Building community.
For more than 145 years, BB&T has earned the trust of our clients with a local approach to banking. Understanding the fabric of our community. Being there when our neighbors need us. Encouraging what makes our community unique. That’s why we’re proud to support the Big Rock Blue Marlin KWLA Tournament.
Truist Bank, Member FDIC. BB&T now Truist. To learn more, visit BB&T.com/Truist
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kwla RECAP
TOTAL PURSE: $84,150
1st Place Billfish Release LO QUE SEA 1BM, 400 pts, 27.9 Dolphin
Anglers Mindy Fitzpatrick & Michelle Keeney
LO QUE SEA WINS
Captain Garrett Yarbrough $31,663
Presented by: MAJOR SPONSOR
23RD ANNUAL KWLA TOURNAMENT
Inclement weather affected 2020's participation by more than 50%, compared to 2019 boat totals, but a brave field of 68 boats still competed for $99,600 in total prize money! Due to the unfavorable weather forecast, officials offered lady angler participants the option to fish on one of two days, Saturday or Sunday. LO QUE SEA is the WINNER of the 23rd Annual KWLA Tournament, presented by BB&T | Now Truist! An early blue marlin release by Mindy Fitzpatrick earned the team 400 pts, but it was Michelle Keeney’s 27.9-pound dolphin that sealed the deal! LO QUE SEA’s 1st Place win earned them $31,663 in total prize money for Level I and Level III Release WTA. THE GENERAL & WELDOR’S ARK land 2nd and 3rd, respectively. THE GENERAL ended with one blue marlin release and a 19.2-pound dolphin from Katie Salter good enough for $5,483. WELDOR’S ARK fished on Saturday and collected $3,655 for one blue marlin release and 13.6 lb. dolphin by Angler, Allison Thomas. SENSATION crew caught the second tuna of the day and took 1st Place with their 39.3-pound catch, worth a whopping $19,106 with rollover money! BILL COLLECTOR’s 29.7-pound tuna may have taken 2nd place, but it still landed the team a $2,436 payout. One wahoo was brought to Big Rock Landing and it was caught by Abby Jones. Abby is not only the owner of OFF SEASON, but the boat captain AND angler of their 18.3-pound catch. The single wahoo paid out $6,091 total! CARTERICAN held onto 1st Place dolphin AND Level II Dolphin WTA with their 30.9 lb. mahi cashing in a total $28,730! TACKLE BOX finished 2nd with a 28.3-pound dolphin and $2,436 pay day. 112 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
Twelve billfish were released over the course of the weekend: 5 blue marlin, 2 white marlin, and 5 sailfish. Gamefish were hot with 20 dolphin, 2 tuna & 1 wahoo.
2nd Place Billfish Release THE GENERAL 1 BM 400 Points, 19.9 Dolphin
Anglers Katie Salter & Heidi Tucker, Captain Wade Fickling
$5,483
3rd Place Billfish Release WELDOR'S ARK 1 BM 400 Points, 13.6 Dolphin Angler Allison Thomas, Captain Mike Taylor $3,655
GAMEFISH DIVISION
1st Place Dolphin & Dolphin WTA CARTERICAN 30.9 lb. Dolphin Angler Callie Smith Captain Lee Smith $28,730
2nd Place Dolphin TACKLE BOX 28.3 lb. Dolphin Angler Mindy Glover Captain Chris Conklin $2,436
1st Place Tuna SENSATION 39.3 lb. Tuna Angler Michelle Gregory Captain Dale Britt $19,106
2nd Place Tuna BILL COLLECTOR 29.7 lb. Tuna Angler Cirila Cothran Captain Stephen Draughon $2,436
JR. ANGLER DIVISION
1st Place Wahoo OFF SEASON 18.3 lb. Wahoo Angler Abby Jones Captain Abby Jones $6,091
EL CAZADOR Largest Dolphin 10.4 lbs. 1 BM, 400 Points Angler Gillian Ricks Capt. Mike Kennedy
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23RD ANNUAL
PARTICIPANTS ACCORDINGLY IV ANITA JEAN ASHLEY LAUREN BAM BANKWALKER BEAGLE BIG RIG BILL COLLECTOR BLUE EYES BLUE WATER BREAKWATER CAROLINA GENTLEMAN CARTERICAN CLASSEA DICE DOUBLE B EL AZUL ELCAZADOR ENERGIZER FLORIDIAN FRANCHISE SAILS II FREE SPOOL GAME PLAN GAMEKEEPER GRET’S THREE J’S GULF STREAM HAMMER TIME HELLO DOLLY HIGH TIME INSPIRATION J&B JOB SITE JUST CHILLIN KERRY D KRISTI KAY LO QUE SEA LONE WOLF LONG BREAK MAGGIE MAGIC MAMA WHO MARKED OFF MARLIN GULL MARSH MADNESS
MEGABITE NATURAL OARA OCEAN STINGER OFF SEASON ORRSMAN OUTNUMBERED PAPA D PAYLOAD PELAGIC PERSISTENCE PIRACY REELY MOM RELEASE RE-LEASED RENEGADE ROOSTER SANDRITA SAVANNA LEIGH SAVANNA LEIGH SEA HOUND SEA STRIKER SEA TOY SEA WOLF SENSATION SKIRT CHASER STARFLITE SUSHI SUSIE Q SYKED OUT TACKLE BOX THE ANNISTON QUINN THE GENERAL TRIPLE S TRIPLEF TWIN FIN TWO WEEKS NOTICE UNO MAS WASTE KNOT WATERTIGHT WELDOR'S ARK WET DREAM WHITECAPS WHITETAIL PROPERTIES WORK HARD PLAY HARDER
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BEST DRESSED CONTEST
winning teams
ORIGINALITY
EFFORT
HAMMER TIME “Hope Floats”
CAROLINA GENTLEMAN “2020 Happens”
PRESENTATION
CREATIVITY
MEGABITE “Big Rock Brides”
STARFLITE “Capt. JOEy Exotic & the Cool Cats”
SPIRIT
FISHIEST
FREE SPOOL “American Marlin Girls”
WHITETAIL “Fishing for Cancer Extinction”
The 2020 Best Dressed Contest was held virtually via Facebook & judged by Carteret Health Care volunteers. Best Dressed Contest prize baskets were sponsored by Posh Pelican. thebigrock.com thebigrock.com
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sponsors
2021 KWLA
MAJOR SPONSOR
We are bringing together the best of BB&T and SunTrust to create Truist; a company that’s centered around your needs. With Truist, you’ll experience even more ways to grow your financial confidence. You’ll also gain access to more branches, more ATMs and enhanced digital innovations that will deliver an even better banking experience.
WEIGH STATION SPONSOR Ranked the #1 real estate group on the Crystal Coast since 2017, MCKRE is a team of local experts with deep roots in the community who believe that real estate is not about transactions, it’s about relationships. To learn more about how MCKRE honors the families they serve while supporting the organizations that make Carteret County a better place, visit www.marycheathamking.com/mckre-gives.
SEABAG SPONSOR
Alexseal Yacht Coatings offers a complete system of premium paint products.
LEVEL III SPONSOR
The E.A. Wood Law Firm is afull-service immigration firm dedicated to the practice of immigration & nationality law. We serve clients not only in our backyard in Eastern North Carolina, but throughout the country. Your success is our priority.
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EVENT SPONSOR
Bringing you the largest selection of waterfront properties in Carteret County.
BEST DRESSED CONTEST SPONSOR
The Posh Pelican was born out of a desire to create a unique shopping experience where any woman can find fun, fashionable pieces, no matter her age or size.
LEVEL II SPONSOR
Boat Master Craftsman Strength | Simplicity | Seaworthines WTA Dolphin Sponsor
TROPHY SPONSOR
Eastern Turf Maintenance is a locally-owned and operated company providing a range of services to maintain the health of your lawn & athletic turf services to schools and recreational fields.
Customized skin treatments with real results for every age. The #1 go-to place for all things Healthy Skin, Waxing & Peace of Mind.
Billfish release flags for ladies who love to fish! Show off your fishing ability with these pink flags during tournaments or just on a successful day out on the water.
A family owned business that has been sharing their love for fashion since 2012. Located in Morehead City, NC they have watched southern style develop over the years and love the charm of accessories.
McQueen’s Interiors has been beautifying Crystal Coast homes since 1973.
Three generations of our family serving your family.... one Bailey box at a time. celebrating 73 years in business.
Michelob ULTRA Organic Seltzer delivers a clean & pure liquid that is as real as it tastes! Made with real organic fruit juice and only the finest ingredients, our Classic Collection is gluten free and features fresh flavors that pair perfectly with every celebration.
A retail shop specializing in premium extra virgin olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, gourmet & flavored salts, in addition to numerous artisanal and local culinary provisions.
A studio dedicated to strengthening your health and well-being. Welcoming space and experienced instructors.
momentum yoga & wellness
Opened in 2017, Côte started off as a trendy young women's boutique. Over the years, we have elevated our style and approach to become a contemporary women's clothing destination.
Bright and briny-fresh inspirations sourced from near and far. Home. Garden. Apparel. Stationery.
Certified instructors will take you through amazing workouts at the studio that will lengthen, strengthen and tone your muscles in record time.
Shop Salt Life’s beach clothing shop for boardshorts, decals, and apparel. Beach-goers wear the Salt Life brand and proudly display our stickers.
A little boutique located on the waterfront in historic downtown Beaufort. Our selection of fine apparel, accessories, handbags and footwear suit women of all ages who strive to remain trendy, yet classic.
Sunbrella has revolutionized the way the world thinks about how fabrics look, feel and perform. Sunbrella Marine canvas and upholstery fabrics are designed to perform, look good and last on the water. For more information, please visit www.sunbrella.com.
The Boathouse is the one-stop shop for Jarrett Bay gear & apparel in addition to many unique nautical themed gifts.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka all started in Austin, Texas in the mid-90s. It’s been over 20 years, but we still make it in batches, use old-fashioned pot stills, and taste-test every batch to make sure you get only the best.
Debbie Fisher has been Saving Faces for 30 years! Excellent customer service and old fashioned integrity is how I run my business. Want your face saved today?!
Lifestyle store located in Downtown Morehead City . Unique Apparel, Home, & Gifts 252-499-4055
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OFFICIAL RULES FISHING DAYS Available fishing day and hours (EST): June 12, 2021, 8:00 am-2:00 pm Scales close at 6:00 p.m. for gameflsh RULES COMMITTEE
Howard Basnight, Dale Britt, Dew Forbes, Randy Gregory, Randy Ramsey, Casey Wagner
Committee Boat: To Be Announced Weighmaster: Randy Gregory Tournament President: Joy Bell
4. ROD & REEL RULES - This is a rod and reel, hook and line tournament. Double line and leader combined may not ex ceed 40 ft; neither of which may exceed �0 ft._ The following practices are illegal in this tournament: a) use of handline or rop_e attached to the line or leader; b) shooting, harpooning, or lancing; and c) the transfer of any participant from one boat to another. After hook-up, only a fe male may fight the fish. Mate is allowed to adjust drag after the rod is passed to a female. Drones are not allowed in this tournament. 5. REPORTING - All billflsh must be re ported to TOURNAMENT HEADQUAR TERS when hooked, lost or released. Ra dio frequency shall be VHF CHANNEL 71 and alternate channel 78a.
For clarification or any question, contact:
6. BOUNDARIES - All boats fishing in tournament must fish between LORAN coordinates North 40275 and South 39200. All fish must also be hooked within those coordinates.
Crystal Hesmer Big Rock Executive Director director@thebigrock.com
7. FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS AI_I vessels and P'.3rticipants shall comply with North Carolina and Federal Fisher !es la�s and regulations regarding fish ing licenses, vessel permits, fishing gear'. �eason size limits and bag limits. PartIcIpants shall also adhere to all Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament rules as contained herein.
Madison Maxwell KWLA Tournament Director madison@thebigrock.com
71 0 Evans Street Morehead City, NC 28557 (252) 247-3575, www.thebigrock.com Rules and/or Registration information is subject to change prior to the upcoming Lady Angler Tournament, June 12, 2021.
1. REGISTRATION - All boats must be registered with the Tournament Com mittee and entry fee paid to qualify for prize� and trophies. Any boat may be substituted but must be registered with the Tournament Committee prior to fishing. The tournament reserves the right in its sole discretion to deny entry to anyone for any reason. No entries or upgrades after 8:00 am. 2. RULES MEETING - At least one per son from each boat should attend the Captai�'s Meeting for the Tournament, 'v'.'.h1ch 1:3 usually held on the Friday eve ning prior to the day of fishing on Sat urday. Regardless, all participants in the tournament are responsible for know ing all Tournament Rules including any changes to the rules that may take place at the Captain's Meeting. 3. FISHING TIME - - No lines or teasers are permitted in the water before official fishing hours. Official fishing hours are 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. This is a one day billfish release/gameflsh tourna ment scheduled for Saturday, June 12, 2021. Official time will be GPS time. Fish hooked prior to or after fishing hours are not eligible. 122 || BIG ROCKthebigrock.com thebigrock.com 122 BIG ROCK
8. QUALIFYING BILLFISH - All partici pants, fish, and boats must adhere to all State and Federal fishing regulations to qualify for prizes in this tournament. This is an all release tournament. No billflsh shall be boated. A fish is boated when any portion of the fish or gaff breaks the plane of the boat. In the event a billflsh is boated, the boat will automatically be disqualified from the tournament. 9. RELEASE POINTS - A cash prize will be awarded to the boat that scores thE: mos� number of points. No release points will be awarded if the gaff breaks the outside vertical plane of the boat. In the e_vent of a tie in total release points, the tie breaker shall be the largest sin gle gameflsh (yellowfln tuna, dolphin wahoo) by weight. If no gameflsh ar� caught, the winner will be determined by the first boat to_ achieve the winning total. In order to qualify as a release, the billflsh must remain in the water (Federal Law). 125 Release Points will be awarded: 1. 2. 3.
For all billflsh including blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, hatchet marlin and spearfish and When mate touches the leader or leader touches the rod tip before the fish is released and T�am turns in a release form pro vided by the Tournament Committee attested to by signature of the cap-
tain and mate or angler on board the boat at the time of the release. This form may be submitted to the OFFI CIAL WEIGH MASTER AT TOURNA MENT HEADQUARTERS, Hatteras Harbor Marina, or submitted elec tronically with the Big Rock app. Release forms must be turned in no later than 10:00 p.m. on the day the fish was released to qualify. Other than blue marlin, billflsh forms may also be photographed and uploaded to the Big Rock App. 400 Release Points will be awarded for: 1.
Blue Marlin if the team provides in disputable video or photo evidence to the Rules Committee. To qualify for the 400 points, teams must turn in a Release Form in person along with the SD Card, Micro SD Card or Compact Flash Card from their cam era. Forms and Media Cards can be turned in at the Official Weigh Station in Morehead City or to the Tournament Representative at the Hatteras Harbor Marina. The Me dia Card and Release Form must be turned in no later than 10:00 p.m. on the day the fish was released to qualify. The Media Card must show continuous video or a clear single photo of the mate touching the leader or leader touching the rod tip and clear and indisputable evidence that the fish is a blue marlin. It is the responsibility of the participants to ensure that their camera's Clock/ Date is set accurately to reflect the time and date of the Releases to qualify for the 400 points. All videos will become property of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. If the rules committee is unable to see indisput able evidence that the fish is a blue marlin, the release will be scored at 125 points. The tournament will NOT allow photos or video from cell phones. Date and time stamp must be 100% accurate.
10. DISQUALIFICATION - A boat will be disqualified from the tournament if the boat, captain and crew violate any rules of the tournament. 11. GAMEFISH - Winning gameflsh will be determined by weight. In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the first fish weighed-in. Fish must be in fresh edible condition and flt for hu man consumption. All gameflsh must be weighed in the day they are caught. All gameflsh to be weighed-in must be reported as soon as possible after 2:00 p.m. to the Committee boat. Only one gai:nefls� per �pecies per boat may be weighed in. Weigh Master has the right to refuse any fish._ "Winner take all-dolphin" prize money will rollover if no qualifying fish is weighed. Gameflsh are defined as yellowfln tuna, dolphin and wahoo. If no
qualifying gamefish are caught in Level I, the tournament will retain the money. 12. WEIGH-IN - All gamefish eligible for prizes must be off-loaded and weighed at the official Tournament weighstation from the boat landing the fish unless authorized by the weigh-master at the weigh station. The fish must be entered on the official entry form by the Tourna ment weigh-master. The same scales and weigh station will be used for all fish including those entered in the Gov ernor's Cup Series. Gamefish scales will close at 6:00 p.m. The Weigh station is located on the Morehead City Water front. The weighmaster has the right to refuse any fish in his sole discretion. 13. MANDATORY HOOK REQUIRE MENTS - Non-offset circle hooks are
mandatory when deploying natural bait or natural bait/artificial lures. "J" hooks are allowed on artificial lures only.
14. PRIZE PAYOUT SCHEDULE - Prize money checks will be made payable to the person or entity so indicated on the registration form of the winning boat. Social Security number or Taxpayer I.D. number of the recipient must be pro vided on the entry form. All undisputed funds will be distributed l O days after the tournament 15. PROTEST - Any protest by any par ticipant against the catch of another participant must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Rules Committee. No protests are allowed against the tourna ment. Any protest must be received by 9:00 a.m. on the day following the catch. Any member of the Rules Committee, or the weigh-master (in their sole discre tion), retains the right to hold and keep any fish deemed questionable by him with respect to being qualified for any prize or cash award. If retention of the fish is refused, the fish is automatically disqualified. 16. DISPUTE RESOLUTION - A protest by one participant against the catch of another must be submitted in accor dance with Rule 15. All other disputes, controversies, or claims of any kind arising out of or relating to the Tour nament (hereinafter, "dispute" or "dis putes"), including, but not limited to, all disputes concerning decisions by Tournament Officials, Boards, or Com mittees, must be submitted in writing to the Rules Committee no later than 6:00 p.m. on the last fishing day of the Tournament. Failure to submit any such disputes in writing by that date and time shall constitute a waiver and release of any and all such disputes. In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to the Tournament in any way, the inter ested parties shall use their best efforts to settle such dispute by mutual agree ment. To this effect, responsible,
authorized representatives of the in terest parties shall meet, consult, and negotiate with each other in good faith (with or without a third-party media tor, as they may choose) and attempt to reach a mutually satisfactory solution. In the event they do not reach such a solution within a period of five (5) days after the first notice by any party to any other of the existence of the dispute, then without waiving any other provi sions in these Rules concerning the absolute discretion and finality of de cisions made by the Tournament Offi cials, Boards, or Committees, the sole and exclusive means for resolution of any dispute shall be the procedures set forth below: a) The dispute shall be submitted to arbitration under the North Caroli na Revised Uniform Arbitration Act, Chapter l, Article 45C of the North Carolina General Statutes. b) All negotiations, mediations, and arbitration hearings shall take place in Morehead City, North Car olina, or such other places the in terested parties may agree upon in writing. c) The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator who is a re tired North Carolina state or federal judge or an attorney whose prac tice experience includes commer cial litigation. The arbitrator must be a resident of the State of North Carolina. In the event the interested parties cannot agree upon an arbi trator, the decision shall be made by a Resident Superior Court Judge of Carteret County, North Carolina. d) Prior to any arbitration hearing, limited discovery shall be permit ted for the purpose of obtaining production of documents and tak ing depositions. All discovery shall be governed by the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. All issues regarding discovery requests shall be decided by the arbitrator. All dis covery shall be completed within 90 days after the selection of the arbitrator; provided, however, that the arbitrator shall have the author ity to extend or reduce the time for discovery in a manner consistent with a general desire for expedited resolution of the dispute. e) All fees and expenses for the arbi tration shall be borne by the parties equally. However, each party shall bear the expense of said party's own counsel, experts, witnesses, and preparation and presentation of proofs. Only in the case of ex treme abuse of the procedure may the arbitrator reallocate such costs and expenses among the parties. f) Any arbitral award may be enforced by an action in the Superior Court of Carteret County. The terms and conditions of this Agree
ment shall be construed, interpreted, and enforced under the laws and judi cial decisions of the State of North Car olina, notwithstanding any principles of conflicts of law. In the event any part of this Agreement shall be declared illegal, invalid, or void, such declaration shall not affect the validity of any of the other terms or provisions of this document. 17. WEIGHT ALTERATION - Attempted
weight alteration of any gamefish will automatically disqualify the boat from the tournament. IGFA rules apply re garding mutilated fish. The Rules Com mittee reserves the right to cut open any fish for inspection of suspected weight altering efforts such as inserted weights, ice, water, etc. 18. POLYGRAPH - Polygraph Tests may be administered to Captain, Mates, and others as deemed necessary by tourna ment officials. Participants must make themselves available for polygraph test ing in Carteret County within 24 hours following notice from Tournament Offi cials. Individuals that are required to take the polygraph test must not consume alcohol or any controlled substance within eight hours prior to the test. A participant's refusal to take a polygraph test or failure to answer test questions in a manner satisfactory to Tournament Officials, in their sole discretion, may re sult in disqualification. By entering the tournament, participants consent to the admissibility of polygraph results in any dispute or proceeding arising out of the tournament. 19. WITHDRAWAL FROM TOURNAMENT
- No fees will be refunded.
20. REFUNDS - In the event that no qual ifying fish are caught, the prize money will be handled as follows; a) At least $25,000 will be donated to lady angler charity and b) all remaining entry fees will be retained by the Tournament. 21. VIOLATION OF RULES - Any boat violating any of these Tournament Rules or any boat containing a participant vio lating any of these Tournament Rules is subject to disqualification from the Tournament (unless another sanction for a particular violation is expressly set forth herein). By participating in the Tournament, all participants ac knowledge that all Tournament Rules are material and that disqualification is permitted and appropriated sanction for any violation of any Tournament Rules. Decisions regarding the interpretation of Rules, violation of Rules, penalties, and the suspension of any Rules or penalties will be made by Rules Committee and/ or Board of Directors in their sole discre tion. All decisions by Rules Committee and or Board of Directors are final and are not subject to further challenge by participants. thebigrock.com BIG 123 thebigrock.com BIGROCK ROCK || 123
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1305 ARENDELL STreet MOREHEAD CITY, NC ( 252 ) 622-4960
CORE BARRE INDOOR CYCLE INFRARED HEATED YOGA & BARRE
OYSTERBELLE.COm
Authorized lululemon retailer
126 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
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MOREHEAD CITY
Maison. Jardin. Apothecary. Trouvé
Specializing in:
Premium Olive Oils & Balsamic Vinegars, Exotic Spices & Salts, Local NC Products • 60+ varieties and flavors of Ultra Premium™ extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar • Artisanal snacks & provisions including: snack mixes, pickles, drink mixes, dips, nut butters, jams, granolas, cookies, chocolates, seasoning blends, BBQ sauces, and much more • Online ordering and shipping is available at www.beaufortoliveoil.com 413 Evans St. Morehead City 252-222-3414
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The Hampton Inn Morehead City is located on Highway 70 east just minutes away from miles of sandy beaches, the largest fishing fleet on the North Carolina Coast; many fine golf courses, Fort Macon State Park and historic Beaufort. The Hampton Inn Morehead City is also conveniently located a few short minutes from the Crystal Coast Civic Center. Throughout the year, Morehead City finds itself home to many festivals and fishing tournaments. All of these events take place only minutes away from the Hampton Inn and easily accessible from Highway 70.
Corner of Evans and 8 Street th
Downtown Morehead City @z.zdesigns 128 | BIG ROCK
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4035 Arendell Street Morehead City, NC 28557 252-240-2300 moreheadcity.hamptoninn.com
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G R O W. E A T. S H O P. L O C A L.
205 Friendly Road
Morehead City, NC
252-222-0273
FriendlyMarketNC.com 130 | BIG ROCK
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REGISTRATION FORM FIRST PLACE BLUE MARLIN OVER $1,000,000!
IF ENTERED IN LEVELS I, II, III & IV. BASED ON 2020 ENTRIES.
MAJOR SPONSOR
2020 CASH PURSE $3,352,475 Please Complete Form in Detail & Sign Has this boat fished in this tournament before? q Yes q No Boat Name______________________________________________________________ Make and Length________________________________________________________ Name of Owner__________________________________________________________ Owner’s Address________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip___________________________________________________________ E-mail Address__________________________________________________________ Name of Captain_________________________________________________________ Captain’s Address_______________________________________________________ City, State, Zip___________________________________________________________ Mobile Boat # for Emergencies__________________________________________ Year-Round Contact Number_____________________________________________ Pay Prize Money To [Winner]_____________________________________________ Winner’s Address________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip___________________________________________________________ Phone___________________________________________________________________ Winner’s Social Security # or Federal Tax ID#____________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Where Docked During Tournament Boat Engine Type________________________________________________________
HMS Permit #______________________________________________________ https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permits-and-forms#
I, as entrant, do hereby RELEASE, DISCHARGE and HOLD HARMLESS Crystal Coast Tournament, Inc., its officers, directors and sponsors, whether individual or corporate, from any claim for damages to my person or property incurred by my participation in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. This release applies to all members of my crew and all parties fishing from my boat. By signing the entry form and paying my entry fee, I acknowledge that I have read this release and am bound by same. This release shall also be binding on my heir, executors, administrator, or assigns. I further do hereby acknowledge that I have read and understand the Rules of the Tournament and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions contained therein.
Signature______________________________________________________________________ After May 25, 2021, we strongly recommend that you register in person rather than mailing your form and entry fee.
Level 1 Mandatory $2,500_______ Gamefish Level Guaranteed Prizes First Release of the Sponsored by: Day Sponsored by: $25,000 First Place Blue Marlin $10,000 Second Place Blue Marlin $ 6,000 Third Place Blue Marlin $ 5,000 First Release of Each Day $ 5,000 Largest Gamefish for the week (Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin) $ 3,000 2nd Place Gamefish for the week (Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin) $ 2,000 Largest Gamefish Daily (Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin) $ 1,000 2nd Place Gamefish Daily (Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin) Level II Three Places 50/30/20 Largest Blue Marlin $2,500_______ Based on 2020 Entries: $181,688 First Place Must enter Level I $109,013 Second Place $72,675 Third Place Level III Three Places 50/30/20 Largest Blue Marlin $5,000_______ Based on 2020 Entries: $325,125 First Place Must enter Level I, II $195,075 Second Place $130,050 Third Place Level IV Winner Take All Blue Marlin $5,000_______ Based on 2020 Entries: $612,000 Winner Take All Must enter Level I, II, III Level V Fabulous Fisherman’s $5,000_______ First Fish Boated over 500 Pounds Based on 2020 Entries: Sponsored by: $552,500 Must enter Level I, II, III, IV Level VI Winner Take All Largest Dolphin $2,500_______ Based on 2020 Entries: Sponsored by: $395,250 Winner Take All Must enter Level I Level VII Three Places 50/30/20 Weekly Release $2,500_______ Based on 2020 Entries: $151,938 First Place Must enter Level I $91,163 Second Place $60,775 Third Place Level VIII Daily Release Winner Take All $2,500_______ Based on 2020 Entries: $47,813 Daily Winner Take All Each Day Must enter Level I, VII Sponsored by:
Level IX Outboard Three Places 50/30/20 Based on 2019 Entries: $16,575 First Place Sponsored by: $9,945 Second Place $6,630 Third Place
$1,000_________
Must enter Level I
ENTRY FEE All Levels $27,500 *Excludes Level IX Outboard Level
Make Checks Payable to: Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Mail Form & Payment to: Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 710 Evans Street Morehead City, NC 28557
Total:______________________ Rec’d by___________________ Check #___________________ Date_______________________
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OFFICIAL RULES
* 2021 changes are printed in red.
1. REGISTRATION - All boats must be registered with the Tournament Committee and entry fee paid to qualify for prizes and trophies. Any boat may be substituted during the week but must be registered with the Tournament Committee prior to fishing. Registration forms will be accepted at the Big Rock Office and the Captain's Meeting. The tournament reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to deny entry to anyone for any reason. No entries or upgrades will be accepted after 9:00 am, Monday morning.
4. BOUNDARIES - All boats fishing in Tournament must fish between LORAN coordinates North 40275 and South 39200. All fish must also be hooked within those coordinates.
2. RULES MEETING - At least one person from each boat should attend the Captain’s Meeting for the Tournament, which is will be held on the Sunday prior to the first day of fishing. Regardless, all participants in the Tournament are responsible for knowing all Tournament Rules, including any changes to the Rules that may take place at the Captain’s Meeting.
6. FISHING TIME AND LAYDAYS - No lines or teasers are permitted in the water before official fishing hours each day. Official time will be GPS time. Fishing days for all eligible boats shall be any four out of the available six days, captain’s choice. No single boat can fish more than 4 total days during the Tournament. Lay Day forms may be submitted in person at the Big Rock Office, Hatteras Harbor Marina or by using your Big Rock App account. Lay Day forms must be submitted prior to 9 AM on the day declared as a non-fishing day. There will be no exceptions on time. If a boat does not declare a day as non-fishing, the Tournament Committee will automatically count the day to be a fishing day for that boat.
5. MANDATORY HOOK REQUIREMENTS - Non-offset circle hooks are mandatory when deploying natural bait or natural bait/artificial lures. “J” hooks are allowed on artificial lures only.
3. ROD & REEL RULES - This is a rod and reel, hook and line tournament. Double line and leader combined may not exceed 40 ft; neither of which may exceed 30 ft. The following practices are illegal in this tournament: a) use of handline or rope attached to the line or leader; b) shooting, harpooning, or lancing; and c) the transfer of any participant from one boat to another to aid in the landing of the 7. REPORTING - All billfish must be reported to the Tourfish. Bill rope/”snooter” is allowed. Drones are not allowed nament Headquarters when hooked, lost, boated or released. Radio frequency shall be VHF CHANNEL 71 and in this tournament. 132 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
alternate channel 78a. Fish hooked prior to or after fishing hours are not eligible. 8. QUALIFYING BLUE MARLIN - To be eligible for prize money, a blue marlin must weigh at least four hundred pounds or measure at least one hundred and ten inches. In the event of a tie by weight, the marlin having the largest total measurement of girth plus length shall be declared the winner. Length shall be measured from the V-notch in the tail to the tip of the lower jaw. No official weigh slip will be given for any disqualified fish. NC State Law states that you may only boat one blue marlin per day. IF NO QUALIFYING FISH IS WEIGHED IN LEVEL II, III, IV, V, or IX, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE PRIZE MONEY IN EACH LEVEL WILL BE PAID TO THE BOAT ENTERED IN EACH LEVEL WITH THE MOST RELEASE POINTS. LEVEL VIII WTA TOTAL PAYOUT WILL BE DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF DAYS THAT A QUALIFYING FISH IS RELEASED. 9. DISQUALIFICATION Boat will be disqualified from the tournament if: 1. The boat, captain and/or crew violates any rules of the tournament unless otherwise specified in these rules. 2. If a billfish has been boated and not presented to the Weigh Master. A fish is considered boated when any portion of the fish breaks the outside vertical plane of the boat. 3. If a fish escapes before gaffing and is recaptured by any method other than as outlined in the angling rules. No free gaffing allowed. 4. Under no circumstances can you gaff the fish in order to measure the fish and then release the fish. 10. 400 POUND PENALTY Boat will be penalized four hundred pounds from the weight of the largest blue marlin weighed in by the boat during the week by said boat if: 1. Blue Marlin does not meet tournament minimum length and/or weight requirements 2. Fish does not adhere to State and Federal Fisheries regulations 3. If the gaff breaks the vertical plane of the boat, the fish can no longer be counted as a release and no points will be awarded. If the fish is lost, the team will not be penalized 400 points. If the fish is boated, it must meet minimum requirements or a 400 pound penalty will be enforced. 11. RELEASE POINTS Cash prizes will be awarded to the boats that score the most number of points first. No release points will be awarded if the gaff breaks the outside vertical plane of the boat. In order to qualify as a release, the billfish must remain in the water. (Federal Law). 125 Release Points will be awarded: 1. For all billfish including blue marlin, white marlin, sail-
fish, hatchet marlin and spearfish 2. When mate touches the leader or the leader touches the rod tip. 3. Team turns in a release form provided by the Tournament Committee attested to by signature of the captain and mate or angler on board the boat at the time of the release. This form may be submitted to the OFFICIAL WEIGH MASTER AT TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS, Hatteras Harbor Marina or submitted electronically with the Big Rock App. Release forms must be turned in no later than 10:00 p.m. on the day the fish is released to qualify. Other than blue marlin, billfish forms may also be photographed and uploaded to the Big Rock App. In the event of ties, the first boat to achieve the winning totals shall be declared the winners. 400 Release Points will be awarded for: 1. Blue Marlin if the team provides indisputable video or photo evidence to the Rules Committee. To qualify for the 400 points, teams must turn in a Release Form in person along with the SD Card, Micro SD Card or Compact Flash Card from their camera. Forms and Media Cards can be turned in at the Official Weigh Station in Morehead City or to the tournament representative at Hatteras Harbor Marina. The Media Card and Release Form must be turned in no later than 10:00 p.m. on the day fish is released to qualify. The Media Card must show continuous video or a clear single photo of the mate touching the leader or the leader touching the rod tip and clear and indisputable evidence that the fish is a blue marlin. It is the responsibility of the participants to ensure that their camera’s Clock/Date is set accurately to reflect the time and date of the Releases to qualify for the 400 points. Date and time stamp must be 100% accurate. All videos will become property of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. If the rules committee is unable to see indisputable evidence that the fish is a blue marlin, the release will be scored at 125 points. The tournament will NOT allow photos or video from cell phones. 12. LEVEL V FABULOUS FISHERMAN’S LEVEL - The Winner of Level V will be the first blue marlin reported and boated weighing 500 lbs. or more. Qualifying fish must meet all tournament rules. All boats participating in this level must be entered in Levels I, II, III and IV. If no qualifying fish is weighed, the total amount of prize money will be paid to the boat with the most release points. A fish may be called in as boated when any portion of the fish breaks the outside vertical plane of the boat. 13. OUTBOARD LEVEL $1000 - Entry in this level is restricted to outboard boats only. No inboards, inboard-outboards, jet powered or airboats permitted. No sailboats permitted. Any hybrid or combination engine boat will not be eligible for prizes in this level. To be eligible for prize thebigrock.com
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FISHING DAYS
FISHING DAYS Available fishing days and hours: (EDT) June 14, 2021 9:00 am-3:00 pm June 15, 2021 9:00 am-3:00 pm June 16, 2021 9:00 am-3:00 pm June 17, 2021 9:00 am-3:00 pm June 18, 2021 9:00 am-3:00 pm June 19, 2021 8:00 am-2:00 pm
Scales close at 7:00 p.m. daily for gamefish, 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Boats may fish four out of the six available fishing days. Rules Committee: Howard Basnight, Dale Britt, Dew Forbes, Randy Gregory, Randy Ramsey, Casey Wagner Committee Boat: To Be Announced Weigh Master: Randy Gregory Tournament President: Joy Bell Tournament Director: Crystal Hesmer Tournament Headquarters (opens 6:00 am on fishing days) Entry Fees: You must enter Level I before you can enter any other level.
money, a blue marlin must weigh at least 400 pounds or measure at least 110”. If no blue marlin are caught, the winners will be determined by release points. Prize money for the Outboard Level is a guaranteed purse of a minimum of $10,000. Prizes will be divided as follows: 50%/first place, 30%/second place and 20%/ third place. If no blue marlin are caught qualifying for first, second, and/or third place, winners will be determined by release points. If no billfish are caught or released, winners will be determined by the largest gamefish, (yellowfin tuna, dolphin, wahoo). If only two boats qualify for the catch and release prizes, prize money will be split 60/40 for two places. Winners may be polygraphed (See Rule #21). All other Big Rock rules are enforced for this level. Entrants must enter Level I and may enter additional levels as stated in Big Rock rules. 14. FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS - All vessels and participants shall comply with North Carolina and Federal Fisheries laws and regulations regarding fishing licenses, vessel permits, fishing gear, season size limits and bag limits. Participants shall also adhere to all Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament rules as contained herein. 15. GAMEFISH - Winning gamefish will be determined 134 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
by weight. In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the first fish weighed-in. Fish must be in fresh edible condition and fit for human consumption. All gamefish must be weighed in the day they are caught. Hookup time for gamefish should NOT be reported to Tournament Headquarters. Level VI - “Winner take all - dolphin” prize money will rollover to the next year’s tournament if no qualifying fish is weighed. Gamefish are defined as yellowfin tuna, dolphin and wahoo. If no qualifying gamefish are caught in Level I, the tournament will retain the money. 16. WEIGH-IN - All blue marlin and gamefish eligible for prizes must be off-loaded and weighed at the official Tournament weigh station from the boat landing the fish unless authorized by the Weigh Master at the weigh station. The fish must be entered on the official entry form by the Tournament Weigh Master. Blue marlin take priority over gamefish at the scales. The same scales and weigh station will be used for all fish including those entered in the Governor’s Cup Series. Gamefish scales will close at 7:00 p.m. during the week and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. The weigh station is located on the Morehead City Waterfront. All billfish weighed in shall be donated for research. The Weigh Master has the right to refuse any fish in his sole discretion. The weigh station will remain open until the last boated blue marlin of the day is weighed. 17. PRIZE PAYOUT SCHEDULE - Prize money checks will be made payable to the person or entity so indicated on the registration form of the winning boat. Social Security number or Taxpayer I.D. number of the recipient must be provided on the entry form. All undisputed funds will be distributed 10 days after the tournament. 18. PROTEST - Any protest by any participant against the catch of another participant must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Rules Committee. No protests are allowed against the tournament. Any protest must be received by 9:00 a.m. on the day following the catch of the disputed fish and by 7:00 p.m. on the last day of the tournament. Any member of the Rules Committee or the Weigh Master (in their sole discretion), retains the right to hold and keep any fish deemed questionable by him with respect to being qualified for any prize or cash award. If retention of the fish is refused, the fish is automatically disqualified. 19. DISPUTE RESOLUTION – A protest by one participant against the catch of another must be submitted in accordance with Rule 18. All other disputes, controversies, or claims of any kind arising out of or relating to the Tournament (hereinafter, “dispute” or “disputes”), including, but not limited to, all disputes concerning decisions by Tournament Officials, Boards, or Committees, must be submitted in writing to the Rules Committee no later than 6:00 p.m. on the last fishing day of the Tournament. Failure to submit any such disputes in writing by that date and
time shall constitute a waiver and release of any and all such disputes. In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to the Tournament in any way, the interested parties shall use their best efforts to settle such dispute by mutual agreement. To this effect, responsible, authorized representatives of the interested parties shall meet, consult, and negotiate with each other in good faith (with or without a third-party mediator, as they may choose) and attempt to reach a mutually satisfactory solution. In the event they do not reach such a solution within a period of five (5) days after the first notice by any party to any other of the existence of the dispute, then without waiving any other provisions in these Rules concerning the absolute discretion and finality of decisions made by the Tournament Officials, Boards, or Committees, the sole and exclusive means for resolution of any dispute shall be the procedures set forth below: a) The dispute shall be submitted to arbitration under the North Carolina Revised Uniform Arbitration Act, Chapter 1, Article 45C of the North Carolina General Statutes. b) All negotiations, mediations, and arbitration hearings shall take place in Morehead City, North Carolina, or such other places the interested parties may agree upon in writing. c) The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator who is a retired North Carolina state or federal judge or an attorney whose practice experience includes commercial litigation. The arbitrator must be a resident of the State of North Carolina. In the event the interested parties cannot agree upon an arbitrator, the decision shall be made by a Resident Superior Court Judge of Carteret County, North Carolina. d) Prior to any arbitration hearing, limited discovery shall be permitted for the purpose of obtaining production of documents and taking depositions. All discovery shall be governed by the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. All issues regarding discovery requests shall be decided by the arbitrator. All discovery shall be completed within 90 days after the selection of the arbitrator; provided, however, that the arbitrator shall have the authority to extend or reduce the time for discovery in a manner consistent with a general desire for expedited resolution of the dispute. e) All fees and expenses for the arbitration shall be borne by the parties equally. However, each party shall bear the expense of said party’s own counsel, experts, witnesses, and preparation and presentation of proofs. Only in the case of extreme abuse of the procedure may the arbitrator reallocate such costs and expenses among the parties. f) Any arbitral award may be enforced by an action in the Superior Court of Carteret County.
construed, interpreted, and enforced under the laws and judicial decisions of the State of North Carolina, notwithstanding any principle of conflicts of law. In the event any part of this Agreement shall be declared illegal, invalid, or void, such declaration shall not affect the validity of any of the other terms or provisions of this document. 20. WEIGHT ALTERATION - Attempted weight alteration of any blue marlin or gamefish will be subject to disqualification and automatically disqualify the boat from the tournament. IGFA rules apply regarding mutilated fish. The Rules Committee reserves the right to cut open any fish for inspection of suspected weight altering efforts such as inserted weights, ice, water, etc. 21. POLYGRAPH - Polygraph Tests shall be administered to captains, mates and others as deemed necessary by Tournament Officials. Participants must make themselves available for polygraph testing in Carteret County within 24 hours following notice from Tournament Officials. Individuals that are required to take the polygraph test must not consume alcohol or any controlled substance within eight hours prior to the test. A participant’s refusal to take a polygraph test or failure to answer test questions in a manner satisfactory to Tournament Officials, in their sole discretion, may result in disqualification. By entering the Tournament, participants consent to the admissibility of polygraph results in any dispute or proceeding arising out of the Tournament. 22. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE TOURNAMENT - No Level I fees will be refunded. 100% of all other levels will be refunded 14 days after the tournament and following collection and clearing of all funds paid. All refund requests must be received in writing by 9:00 am on Monday prior to the tournament at Tournament Headquarters. 23. VIOLATION OF RULES - Any boat violating any of these Tournament Rules or any boat containing a participant violating any of these Tournament Rules is subject to disqualification from the Tournament (unless another sanction for a particular violation is expressly set forth herein). By participating in the Tournament, all participants acknowledge that all Tournament Rules are material and that disqualification is a permitted and appropriate sanction for any violation of any Tournament Rules. Decisions regarding the interpretation of Rules, violation of Rules, penalties, and the suspension of any Rules or penalties will be made by Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors in their sole and absolute discretion. All decisions by Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors are final and are not subject to further challenge by participants. 15% OF FEES RETAINED BY TOURNAMENT EXCEPT FOR LEVEL I. (SEE PRIZE SCHEDULE FOR LEVEL I)
The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be thebigrock.com
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TOURNAMENT DETAILS SEA BAGS All Seabags for Sponsors, Board Members and Anglers can be picked up beginning June 9, 2021 at Headquarters, 710 Evans Street. Big Rock & KWLA bag will have 4 shirts. Additional shirts can be purchased upon registration.
REGISTRATION HEADQUARTERS Registration by mail must be received no later than May 25, 2021 by 5:00 pm. After that time you should register in person at Headquarters or online. Tournament Headquarters is located at 710 Evans Street on the Morehead City waterfront (off Hwy. 70 East turn right on 8th Street see map). Hours are 9:00 am-5:00 pm. JUNE 11 Registration continues at Big Rock Landing during KWLA Captain's Meeting. Lady Angler Captain's Meeting will start at 5:30 PM. JUNE 12 Big Rock registration continues at Tournament Headquarters in downtown Morehead City. JUNE 13 Registration continues at Tournament Headquarters during Captain's Meeting at Big Rock Landing. Big Rock Captain's Meeting will start at 5:30 PM. JUNE 14-19 Fishing Days, 9:00-3:00 Monday-Friday, 8:00-2:00 Saturday.
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TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS RADIO The Tournament Headquarters will monitor VHF Channel 71 (alternate 78a) from 9 am to 3 pm Daily and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm. Alternate COMMITTEE Boats will be announced during the Captain’s meeting on June 13, 2021 at 5:30 pm at Big Rock Landing in Downtown Morehead City. All billfish hook-ups must be reported at the time of hook-up to qualify. You will NOT need to report gamefish hook-ups. However, we ask that you call the weigh-station to announce that you’ll be weighing in a gamefish at least 30 minutes prior to arrival.
POLYGRAPH REQUIREMENTS Polygraph Tests shall be administered to the top money winners, release winners, (captain), and others as deemed necessary by Tournament Officials. Participants must make themselves available for polygraph testing in Carteret County within 24 hours following notice from Tournament Officials. Individuals that are required to take the polygraph test must not consume alcohol or any controlled substance within eight hours prior to the test. A participant’s refusal to take a polygraph test or failure to answer test questions in a manner satisfactory to Tournament Officials, in their sole discretion, may result in disqualification. By entering the Tournament, participants consent to the admissibility of polygraph results in any dispute or proceeding arising out of the Tournament.
Crystal Coast Civic Center
Polygraphs will be administered at the Law Office of Mr. Roger Crowe on Hwy. 70 in Beaufort, NC. (See map below). Appointment will be made either at the weigh station or by phone. Should the leader board change on Saturday, June 19 (the last day of fishing) any newcomers to the top 3 positions must be polygraphed upstairs at the Civic Center beginning at 5:00 pm.
Tournament Headquarters & Weigh Station Registration, Captain's Meeting(s), Daily weigh-ins
Wednesday To-Go Pork Chop Dinner Wednesday, June 16
Polygraph Site Roger Crowe Law Offices
Awards Brunch Sunday, June 20
MOREHEAD CITY/BEAUFORT 1
Crystal Coast Civic Center 3505 Arendell Street Morehead City
2
Headquarters & Weigh Station 710 Evans Street Morehead City
3
Polygraph Site Roger Crowe Law Offices Hwy. 70 East (402 Turner Street) Beaufort
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2021 Market UPDATE
By Linda Rike
The Carteret County / Crystal Coast Real Estate Market has changed! It is now a Seller’s market with prices rising. It truly is time to buy here. Your waterfront dream home, beach cottage, or condo is ready for the season! Current inventory is lower this year & demand is higher. As we continue to share our Coastal lifestyle with old friends & new ones- who understand that its all about… location, location, location. Welcome to the 2021 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Welcome to our Coastal Blue Waters, wide beaches, lazy summer days, family vacations, wine & seafood festivals, fishing for flounder, wahoo, tuna, or THE BLUE MARLIN… you will find this is YOUR new location.
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SHOP BIG ROCK ALL YEAR
710 EVANS ST, MHC THEBIGROCKSTORE.COM
A TRADITION THAT GIVES BACK Since 1986, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament has donated more than $6.5 million to charities across North Carolina. Year after year the amount of charitable donations we make continues to grow. A major part of that growth is the success of the year-round Big Rock retail store & our partnership with local retailers across eastern North Carolina. Purchasing the annual Big Rock Tshirt has become a timeless tradition for many. Get the 63rd Annual Big Rock Tshirt by visiting our storefront, shopping online at www.thebigrockstore.com, or stopping by one of our area retailers:
SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH #BIGROCKTOURNAMENT
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
MOREHEAD CITY
Big Rock Tournament Headquarters Dee Gee's Gifts and Books EJW Outdoors Jim Dandy Food Store Walgreens
ATLANTIC BEACH Atlantic Beach Surf Shop Chasin' Tails Outdoors Marsh's Surf Shop
BEAUFORT
Jarrett Bay Boathouse Kitty Hawk Kites BP Zingo Express NC Maritime Museum The General Store
OUTER BANKS
Hatteras Harbor Marina Hatteras
Kitty Hawk Kites Nags Head
EMERALD ISLE The Reel Outdoors
CAPE CARTERET Neuse Sport Shop Walgreens
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS
264 Shoes & Apparel Greenville
EZ Bait & Tackle Goldsboro
Neuse Sport Sport Kinston
Springhill Outfitters Selma
From the Heart Goldsboro
Intracoastal Angler Wilmington
DeWayne's Selma
Ship Store 84 Islamorada, FL
@BIGROCKTOURNAMENT thebigrock.com
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LIVE HERE.
GIVE HERE.
HELP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHARITIES
100% OF THE PROCEEDS GO TO BIG ROCK CHARITIES $6,567,448 Donated to Chariies Since 1986
144 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com
710 EVANS ST, MHC THEBIGROCKSTORE.COM
BIG ROCK | 145 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHARITIES thebigrock.com
BY THE NUMBERS Big RockBY
93% 10K RELEASE
205 PARTICIPANTS
RATE
T-SHIRTS SOLD DURING BIG ROCK WEEK
$3,352,475
SIX
1 MONTH 2 DAYS
$ IN CHARITABLE DONATIONS SINCE 1986.
MILLION
In 2020 the Big Rock was able to contribute $99,500 to their annual core charities and $551,000 to other local organizations in need.
2,250
Total # of points for the 2020 Level II Weekly Release Winner, LO QUE SEA
$752,251
Total amount of time viewers spent watching Facebook Live video coverage during Big Rock tournament week.
55.2 lbs.
WEIGHT OF HEAVIEST DOLPHIN
THIRTY FIVE FEET
LO QUE SEA'S TOTAL WEEKLY WINNINGS & the cost to enter the Big Rock Tournament 27 times!
17
3
YEARS
TOTAL PURSE
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TENTATIVE EVENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY JUNE 11
SATURDAY JUNE 12
SUNDAY JUNE 13
SUNDAY JUNE 13
5:30 pm KWLA Captain’s Meeting, Big Rock Landing Downtown Morehead City
8:00 am - 2:00 pm 24th Annual Big Rock Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament
9:00 am Sunday Prayer Breakfast Big Rock Landing
5:30 pm Captain's Meeting at Big Rock Landing
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MONDAY JUNE 14-19
WEDNESDAY JUNE 16
SUNDAY JUNE 20
Begins 6 Days of Fishing, 2 Lay Days Required - Captain’s Choice
6:00 pm-8:00 pm Smithfield Foods TO-GO Pork Chop Dinner Crystal Coast Civic Center
11:00 am-2:00 pm Awards Brunch & Auction at Big Rock Landing Downtown Morehead City
Daily Weigh-Ins Monday thru Saturday
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ENJOY AT ALL TOURNAMENT EVENTS
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HIST BY BRUCE PAUL
memories
W
hen billfish competitors begin to register for the 63rd annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, they take their first step toward winning part of the richest Blue Marlin Tournament’s multimillion dollar purse. That’s quite a change from the original Big Rock prize: a child’s red wagon filled with silver dollars. In order to understand this transformation, you need to travel back in time to the spring of 1957. Back then, no one was certain that billfish existed in the waters off the North Carolina coast. Commercial fishermen in those days seldom ventured beyond sight of the coastline. Their families had worked coastal waters for generations, yet no one had ever seen these fish. Sailors who worked the commercial freighters that traveled in and out of the Morehead City port insisted they’d seen blue marlin not too far offshore. Most locals dismissed this as “bar talk’’ since the deck hands didn’t know where they were at the time of the sightings. Since blue-marlin skeletons never washed up on the beach, these reports were believed to be idle chatter. Still . . . the rumors persisted. But a few wishful thinkers hoped the stories were true. Bob and Mary Simpson, Bill Strickland, Tom Potter, and Dick Parker decided to settle the issue once and for all. Together they created the Fabulous Fishermen Club -- a looseknit organization of Morehead City fishing enthusiasts. The Club partnered with several local merchants to announce they would pay a cash prize to the first person who could catch a blue marlin in the waters just off the Crystal Coast. That cash prize did the trick. Intended to promote deep-sea fishing and to help support the area’s infant charter boat industry, it encouraged anglers and captains to head further offshore. Fishermen sighted blue marlin through152 | BIG ROCK
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out that summer. Despite the sightings, no one was able to land the beautiful, elusive fish. Those summer failures gave way to an autumn success. On September 14, 1957, Raleigh angler Jimmy Croy, fishing aboard the Mary Z with Capt. K.W. “Bill’’ Olsen, landed a 143-pound blue marlin. This special catch forever changed the face of Crystal Coast fishing.
Sound the Sirens
Before Croy’s marlin ever reached shore, Olsen radioed Bump Styron, who owned the Morehead City Yacht Basin, to report the historic catch. Styron, in turn, notified Bob Campbell -- WMBLAM Radio’s “Voice of Fishing’’ for 37 years -- and he got the word out to the public. Soon after that, a crowd of about a hundred gathered at Styron’s yacht basin to await the arrival of the “big’’ fish. In the meantime, Tony Seamon and his son, Tony Jr., went to First Citizen’s Bank where bank president Jim Bob Sanders kept a sealed sack of silver dollars. Tony Seamon Jr., was given the task of counting out the prize money. He poured the coins into a little red wagon, a child’s toy donated just moments before by the manager at Rose’s department store. Then, amid police sirens, car horns and as much vocal ruckus as could be mustered, the red wagon was pulled through the streets of Morehead City to the place where the fish would arrive. It was the first celebration of an event that would soon become the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, an event that brings thousands to the waterfront each June.
Humble beginnings
A picture of that famous first marlin appeared in the September 17, 1957, edition of the Carteret County NewsTimes. Ironically, the event merited just
three paragraphs on an inside page. No other pictures of the fish are known to exist. Since nobody knew what the Big Rock would become, nobody kept accurate records in those early years. Reports on the amount of the first cash prize vary from $250 to $500. Tony Seamon Jr. told Big Rock officials that he remembered counting out 500 silver dollars into that little red wagon. Campbell reported that the prize was only $325 and later revised that amount to $300. Dick Parker, a charter member of the Fabulous Fishermen Club, insisted that the first prize was $250 and grew to $325 in subsequent years. Confusion as to the amount of that first prize exists to this day. Still, these quaint beginnings gave birth to the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament as it is known today -- a nationally-sponsored competition that’s famous throughout the world for huge cash prizes. That first prize, whether $250 or $500, pales in comparison to the millions of dollars that have been pocketed by competitors the past several years.
TORY time Tournament Changes
Over the years, the annual competition has changed its name, altered its format, adjusted its sponsorship and modified its rules. The Big Rock board of directors continues to fine tune the event to ensure the tournament always represents good times and great fishing.
A strong focus on conservation
Billfish preservation has remained a major concern for Big Rock tournament officials and competitors for more than a decade. Twenty-one years ago, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament’s board of directors raised the minimum weight limit to land a blue marlin to 400 pounds. The 400-pound weight limit was at the time, 200 pounds above regulations set by the federal government. Tournament rules adopted in 1997 require Big Rock anglers to release all blue marlin that do not weigh more than 400 pounds or measure at least 110 inches in length. The tournament rewards boats with the most release points daily and over the week long tournament. During the 62nd Annual Tournament, Lo Que Sea pocketed $757,251 for releasing 5 blue marlin & 2 sailfish. Anglers who bring blue marlin to the scales that do not meet these minimums are penalized. Marine biologists take charge of blue marlin brought to the weigh station so they can study and research this important species. Representatives from the NC State University Center for Marine Science and Technology (CMAST) collect samples at the weigh station of all gamefish and blue marlin weighed in. Proceeds from every Big Rock tournament are donated to support organizations that are dedicated to help pelagic species flourish.
International competitors
The Big Rock is a prestigious marlin tournament that attracts competitors
from around the world. In recent years, anglers from 22 states and three international teams have participated in the six-day offshore competition. Winning the Big Rock has become the focus of many top billfish competitors.
Heroes on Board
Of course no one would have the freedom to fish if it weren’t for the brave men and women who serve our country. During the 60th Annual Tournament, the Big Rock Big Hero program was born. Since it’s inception, the initiative has placed active duty servicemembers on board with worldrenowned crews and captains. In it’s inaugural year, USMC Col. T.J. “Bucket” Dunne was invited to fish aboard Fender Bender on the last day of the tournament. He released one blue marlin but was quickly told to “sit back down.” After an hour fight, Bucket boated the 514.3lb fish to take second place!
Lady Anglers
While many people consider bluemarlin fishing a “man’s” sport, it is the ladies who have dominated the headlines. In 1993, Kathy Keel of Edenton landed a 759-pound blue marlin to win the 35th annual Big Rock. She held the all-time Big Rock record until June 15, 2000 when Ron Wallschlager of Kiawah Island, S.C. reeled in an 831-pounder to win the 42nd Big Rock. That record was shattered in 2019 when Todd Dickerson of Fenwick Island, DE weighed in a 914-pound monster on the last day of the 61st Annual Tournament. To this day, Kathy’s catch remains one of the top three fish to ever hit Big Rock’s scales. In 2005, Gigi Wagoner of Fredrick, MD, became the fourth woman to win the Big Rock. Fishing aboard the Ocean City-based charter boat Size Matters, Wagoner reeled in a 529-pounder. Anglers like Keel and Wagoner were the inspiration behind the 1998 creation
of a one-day ladies only tournament that serves to introduce women to sports fishing. In 2019, the twenty-second annual Keli Wagoner Lady Angler (KWLA) Tournament drew a record 167 boats. Nearly 500 competitors battled for prize money in gamefish and billfish release divisions. Since its inception, the KWLA event has raised more than $399,415 for charity.
Passing the Torch
The Big Rock tournament has long recognized young anglers who compete alongside seasoned deep-sea fishing veterans during the week long event. The tournament rewards Jr. Anglers for top gamefish weighed in, and overall release points. In 2019, Jr. Angler Michael Cripe earned the crew of Job Site a whopping $368,250 for his 53.7lb Dolphin! Promoting sportfishing and marine education throughout the state of North Carolina has remained a top priority for the tournament. In hopes to grow the sport, the board of directors voted unanimously to add the Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament to their schedule for 2021. The Kids tournament is the first of it’s kind, rewarding Jr. Anglers an extra 25 points for each billfish released. The primary purpose of the tournament is to raise additional funds for children’s charities, including the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastal Plain.
A Big Rock tradition: Outstanding Cybercast Coverage Big Rock fans have enjoyed outstanding tournament coverage ever since the competition became an online event. Fans of the competition follow the offshore action on the tournament’s website, social media, and app. Competition updates are provided just seconds after a hookup is reported to tournament headquarters. You can thebigrock.com
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even listen to the radio live via the Big Rock website. Big Rock board member, Randy Ramsey mans the radio from the early morning hours ‘till the last fish has hit the scales daily. One of the spectator’s favorite traditions is the blessing of the fleet Randy gives every morning, inspired by Captain Omie Tillet. Throughout the tournament, staff members work long hours to provide live weigh-in coverage and up-to-theminute reports about offshore action. Weigh-ins and exclusive interviews are captured by Big Rock TV, started in 2008 to commemorate the 50th Annual Tournament. Big Rock TV has now become an international sensation with over 2 Million viewers in 71+ countries during the 2020 tournament.
Quiet Beginnings
In the early years, the Big Rock could barely be considered a tournament. There were no rules of consequence, and only a few boats participated. When prizes became part of the affair, the total booty looked like the results of a scavenger hunt. In 1965, a listing of the prizes included one quart of varnish. Limitations were few. Generally speaking, a member of the Fabulous Fishermen Club won the Big Rock if he docked the first blue of the season. This catch had to happen before a November 1 cutoff date. Tournament growth was slow. In 1958, George Bedsworth, captain of the Dolphin, pocketed a $325 prize. It would take years for the tournament to grow into the giant that is now known as the Big Rock. In 1960 and 1961, “Fab Fishermen’’ didn’t even recognize previous efforts. The 1960 event -- won by angler Carroll Williams of Petersburg, Virginia, aboard the Bunny Too captained by Arthur Lewis of Morehead City -- featured a special Pfleuger Trophy provided by world-renown taxidermist Al Pfleuger of Miami, FL. Pfleuger would continue to mount the winning Big Rock fish for the next several years. The 1963 edition of the tournament, and the one that immediately followed, sought to find out who could boat the most blue marlin. The ‘63 tournament concluded with 64 blue marlin brought to the scales. This huge number of blue marlin makes it hard to imagine that less 154 | BIG ROCK
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than six years before, no one had ever caught a blue marlin off the Carteret County coast. In fact, Croy’s catch on the Mary Z was something that came about quite by accident. The only reason the Mary Z was out in 50 fathoms of water that day was because Olsen was giving the Mary Z its first test in ocean waters. Olsen had just finished building the craft for Bryan Rock and Sand Co. of Raleigh, NC. He took Croy as his “party’’ that day . . . to show him the warm offshore waters located in the Gulf Stream. Once there, Croy had the experience of a lifetime. After a 38-minute battle, the area’s first blue marlin was landed. Olsen had jokingly bragged he would catch the first marlin only days before this test run. He celebrated the catch late into the night with several of his Fabulous Fishermen Club friends. But nobody in the raucous group had any idea what was about to come.
Geometric Changes
From humble beginnings -- a simple challenge to catch the first blue marlin -- the event grew into an annual contest. Year after year, the event became more structured as new rules were added. The “Fabulous Fishermen’s Blue Marlin Tournament’’ was renamed the “Big Rock’’ in 1973 because that was the spot in the Gulf Stream where everyone went to fish. After a dozen years, entries in the tournament began to grow. The handful of boats during the early years led to 35 boats in 1970. The tournament quickly grew to 111 boats in 1979 and just 20 years later in 1999, the Big Rock had it’s record tournament with 220 boats! The Big Rock currently averages 185 boats and nearly 1,600 competitors. Cash prizes grew by leaps and bounds. In 1974, the winning boat received just $800. Ten years later, the purse nearly reached $70,000. Big Rock fans were thrilled when the 1988 purse topped $90,800. In today’s tournament, the total purse has averaged $2,621,830 in the last five years, with 2020’s record breaking purse of $3,352,475. That total is dwarfed by the $6.2 Million the Big Rock Foundation has donated to local charities. Entry fees have changed dramatically as well. A $25 tournament charge was all that was required early on. As late as 1973, inclusion in the tourney
cost $75. But as the prize money grew, so did entry fees. To enter Level I, Level II and Level III in the 1993 tournament, anglers needed to pay $2,200 to tournament officials. The entry fee (for all levels) in 2020 was $27,500 -- which exceeds the combined total purses of the first 15 Big Rocks.
Into the Future
Who could predict the amazing growth of the Big Rock Tournament during the first years of its existence? The people who viewed the first celebration had no hint of what was to come. What developments will carry the tourney into the next century? Perhaps the event will span two weeks, as it did in its infancy. Perhaps special instruments will be invented that have the ability to measure the size of a blue marlin through radio telemetry so that boating these fish becomes a thing of the past. Only time will tell. Maybe the time will come when all boats will be outfitted with special cameras. Big Rock headquarters on the Morehead City waterfront already has the capability to communicate with its offshore competitors. GoPros are currently used to capture releases and verify billfish species. The same cameras that put NASCAR fans into the driver’s seat of a race car could soon transport fishing enthusiasts offshore. That would bring Big Rock fishing into the homes of millions of fans. Perhaps international divisions will be formed to put U.S. teams against anglers from other countries. Years ago, a team from Puerto Rico nearly finished in the money. The competition has a tremendous potential to grow and has become one of the top billfish competitions in the world. Since some people already call the Big Rock the ``Super Bowl of fishing,’’ perhaps others will begin to call that late January football game the “Big Rock’’ of football. Whatever happens, it’s been a wild and wonderful journey. And it all began a little more than 63 years ago when Jimmy Croy and Bill Olsen hooked a very special 143-pound fish.
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FAVORITE FISHING SPOTS
COORDINATES 210 ROCK
27069.7
39493.1
PAPOSE
27074.0 39431.1
SUBMARINE
27063.5 39491.5
NAECO
27065.6 39387.5-86.8
S.E. NAECO
27035.0
39391.0
1700 ROCK
27043.0
39709.8
D WRECK
27042.5
39740.8
SHAD WRECK
27025.3
39724.2
ATLAS TANKER
27023.6
39721-5-9
FAR E. TANKER
26981.3
39788.9
KNUCKLE
27061.2 39618.7
RUSSIAN WRECK
27037.1
39617.6
N.E. BIG ROCK
26984.2
39593.5
1400 LINE
27936.0
39890.5
WWI WRECK
27067.7
39463.2
SEA BUOY
27113.2
39668.7
TRAWLER
27092.3 39633.3
13 BUOY
27146.1
39550.1
ROCK SOUTH
27134.3
39470.0
SOUTH WRECK
27143.2-6
39524.3
FEWNWICK ISLE
27064.0
39607.9
1ST N.W. PLACE
27090.4
39577.6
2ND N.W. PLACE
27089.1
39574.8
3RD N.W. PLACE
27089.1
39570.0
LITTLE 10
27081.1
39560.6
BIG 10
27079.6
39555.2
14 BUOY
27040.5
39572.4
N.E. ROCK
27037.2
39595.4
S.E. 14
27032.8
39577.1
190’ FROM 14
27031.5
39543.1
N.W. OF W. ROCK
27077.4
39521.7
WEST ROCK
27072.1
39515.7
240 ROCK
27079.1
39515.7
SWANSBORO
27189.7
39546.1
45 MIN. ROCK
27176.0
39511.2
KEYPOST ROCK
(IN)27178.4
39567.4
39563.7
SEA BUOY
156 | BIG ROCK thebigrock.com thebigrock.com
(OUT)27177.4
EAST ROCK
27159.0
39561.4
CHRISTMAS ROCK
27182.3
39393.8
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PREVIOUS winners
1963 420 pounds
1972 487 pounds
Calvin Koonce Raleigh, NC
Lance Harris Springfield, VA
BOLO JR.
1964 427 pounds
1973 530.5 pounds
Curt Seifart Charlotte, NC
John Waldin Charlotte, NC
DOLPHIN
1965
No Fish Landed During Tournament
Jimmy Croy LaGrange, NC First Marlin landed off Morehead, caught aboard Bill Olsen’s Mary Z
J.D. Rivers Durham, NC
J. Duckett W. Turner Cherry Point, NC
MARY Z
BUNNY TOO First Fabulous Fisherman’s Blue Marlin Tournament 1960
TOM N’ JERRY
C’EST LA VIE L.B. Britton, Jr. Ahoskie, NC
Ivan Mercer Charleston, SC
Richard Miller Rumson, NJ
YELLOW BIRD IV
1967 350 pounds
1976 575 pounds
Rufus English Lynchburg, VA
Bob Donovan Rockville, MD
RESTLESS V
1968 538 pounds
1977 636 pounds
Jerry Fulford Washington, NC
Rusty Cutshaw Morehead City, NC
RED SNAPPER
1961 474.5 pounds
1974 451 pounds
1975 481.5 pounds
DOLPHIN
1959 397.25 pounds
SEA TRAMP
1966 245 pounds
BUNNY TOO
1957 143.5 pounds
WAHOO
SEA BUSTER
1969 495 pounds
1978 604 pounds
Leland Pribble Madison Heights, VA
Mark Mason Greensboro, NC
DOLPHIN 1
KELLY BEAN
1970 476 pounds
1979 376 pounds
“Bump” Styron Morehead City, NC
Jim O’Daiell Wilmington, NC
REEL KING
SEA MINT
1958 428.5 pounds
1960 390.5 pounds
1962 487 pounds
1971 377 pounds
1980 390 pounds
C.L. Safrit Salisbury, NC
Carroll Williams Petersburg, VA
Dr. Leroy Allen Raleigh, NC
Carroll Ballou Morehead City, NC
Margaret Adams Winston-Salem, NC
DOLPHIN
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BUNNY TOO
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SEA HAG
ALPHA D’AMOUR
JET STREAM
1981 432 pounds
1990 717 pounds
1998 564 pounds
2006 501.5 pounds
2015 680 pounds
Tom Barnes Wilson, NC
Dub Jones Seabrook Island, SC
Karl Knudsen Raleigh, NC
Wes Seegars Goldsboro, NC
Earle Hall Hampton, VA
FLYING FISH
1982 398.25 pounds
MARLIN DARLIN T. Teeter Morehead City, NC 1983 459.8 pounds
PROMISES TOO Ken McLeskey Virginia Beach, VA
TOP DAWG
1991 637 pounds
LOCOMOCEAN Jimmy Zeigler Richmond, VA
1992 514 pounds
OUTLAW
Bob Smith Hatteras, NC
1984 720 pounds
OUTLAW
Brad Gillam Windsor, NC 1985 534.5 pounds
SEA HAG
Bruce Young Raleigh, NC 1986 608.5 pounds
1993 759 pounds
CHASER
Kathy Keel Edenton, NC
1994 649 pounds
SALTY FARE Bob Waren Fayetteville, NC
SHEARWATER Susan Mac Rae Sneads Ferry, NC 1987 576 pounds
MIDNIGHT HOUR James Edmonds Arlington, VA 1988 440 pounds
1995 400 pounds
SEA STRIKER
Rex Johnson Morehead City, NC
1996 535 pounds
THE GIRL NEXT DOOR
WASTE KNOT
1999 600 pounds
DANCIN’ OUTLAW
David Wood Harkers Island, NC
2000 831 pounds
SUMMERTIME BLUES Ron Wallschlager Kiawah Island, SC
2001 515.5 pounds
SEA STRIKER
Vince Johnston Morehead City, NC
2002 541.5 pounds
SAMANNA
Kent Copeland Kill Devil Hills, NC 2003 677 pounds
PIPE LAYER
J.F. Pedersen, Jr. Jim Pedersen Hollywood, SC
2004 555 pounds
IMPULSE
Donald Lane, Jr., Jay Hughes Atlantic Beach, NC
1989 513 pounds
1997 646 pounds
2005 529 pounds
Denard Harris Charleston, SC
Norm Schaeffler Virginia Beach, VA
Gigi Wagoner Frederick, MD
Randall Link Virginia Beach, VA
DIAMOND GIRL
OCEAN YACHTS 48
VIKING 62
2007 613 pounds
2016 621.4 pounds
BAK BAR
ASHLEY LAUREN
Montukie Lewis Charleston, SC
Doug Phillips Atlantic Beach, NC
2008 640 pounds
2017 533.8 pounds
ARTEMIS
Darryl Reyna Charleston, SC
RUN-OFF
Matt Hanley Morehead City, NC
2009 466 pounds
SEA CREATURE
Russell Orenstein Boca Raton, FL
O FOUR
CHAINLINK
SIZE MATTERS
Bobby Weeks Hatteras, NC
2018 518.5 pounds
HONEY HUSH
Robert Gorrell Morehead City, NC
2010 528 pounds
CARNIVORE
John Parks Cape Carteret, NC 2011 652.8 pounds DOUBLE B Travis Stephenson Greenville, NC
2019* 914 pounds
TOP DOG
Todd Dickerson Olney, MD 2020 495.2 pounds
PELAGIC HUNTER II
Riley Adkins Sneads Ferry, NC
2012 499.3 pounds
FLY BUOY
Todd Baxley Wilmington, NC 2013 465.3 pounds
HATTERAS FEVER II Taylor Miller Raleigh, NC
2014 754.3 pounds
INSPIRATION Bruce Brown Nags Head, NC
Tournament Record TOP DOG'S 914 lb. blue marlin caught during the 61st annual Big Rock.
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ROCKN' SHOTS
STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
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In Crossing the Bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar.
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M EMORY Joshua "Josh" Shane Stafford
June 21, 1979 ~ February 28, 2021 (age 41) Josh Stafford loved his family and his friends, loved and adored his daughters, and he loved the ocean with a passion. He enjoyed a good catch, whether it was a trout, redfish or flounder—a deck-load of tuna or a big blue marlin. The many ways of pursuit excited him equally and brought out his best. He thought like a fish and swam like one, too. We fished together for many years and through many boats, with many of you as well. Although the big one often eluded us in tournaments, as a team we were famous for catching a “big one” either the week before or the week after the Big Rock. The number of fish we caught together would probably fill a few tractor-trailers. He was a great mate and a great rigger with an attention to detail that was second to none. He was always rigged up and ready to go—always ready for whatever unfolded on the boat and was an absolute spider-man in the cockpit. He grew to handle a boat as well as any captain, his steady hand a contrast to his penchant for stirring things up in the pursuit of fun and “good times.” Josh Stafford gave his all, in work or in play, and he could never be called a slacker in anything he took on. He had an infectious sense of humor, often had a “twinkle” in his eye, loved to have a good time and would create one if there wasn’t one already— which really means he created the good time more often than not. He did not suffer fools and possessed a quick and sharp wit he rarely held back and was well known for his brutal honesty. He was uncommonly fearless, with an out-sized personality and would drop everything to do anything for a friend. He was always good with kids, patient and steady as a coach. He was a good teacher and passed on a lot of his knowledge to a lot of people in our world. He undoubtedly inherited some of his daddy’s fantastic woodworking skills & artistry and was not afraid to take on a boat project--large or small--and always said, “I’m going to do it right or not at all.” He was a natural born talent, an artist with his hands, which he brought to his lure making and really anything he touched. He had a foundation based on solid fundamentals, which he carried to new levels of innovation with his lures and rigs. He loved to call and discuss new ideas, explore new things, invent and involve himself in new creative projects --excelling at every single one of them. He was the best fishing partner and friend and he will be missed. That being said, he touched every one of us in ways big and small and that is what we will carry with us on every wave we ride, every rip we troll and every story we tell. He was one of a kind, he was not for everyone and we will never forget him. Vaya con Dios Josh. Love to all and God Bless. Glynn & Deirdre Loftin
Captain John Jenkins April 4, 1967 ~ May 13, 2020
Capt. John Jenkins was a father/husband and fisherman. I honestly think it was in that order. One of his greatest pursuits in life was not the grander or the 100 oz trout. It was to make sure his boys, Tucker and Owen, had a deep respect for the gift and bounty that Mother Nature provided. In mystical fashion John saw the great outdoors as a school of sorts. A school anyone could go to with proper preparedness and conviction. He was proud his “office” was on a boat, where each day provided a different adventure. John started fishing Carteret County at a young age, which preceded stints of commercial fishing in Hatteras and mating on boats out of the Capt. Stacy Fishing Center. He assumed the captain’s chair of the Calcutta, but the first day on the boat, he hit a snag. You see, his first mate on the Calcutta told me they were taking the boat from Jarrett Bay, and John looked down from the bridge and said “hey, this thing doesn’t have keys! How the heck do I start it?”. John did eventually get to Big Rock Landing, where he made lifetime friends in his dock partners and former mates. The last time I saw John walk was to make it outside for a surprise parade the sport fishing community had for him. It was a wonderful gathering of friends far and wide that brought a lot of smiles in a dark time. May I say thank you. Johns highlights were numerous but his time with the crew from Tag A Giant where they tagged over 1000 tuna, winning various tournaments, including the release division of the Big Rock were definitely up there. Although I would say the biggest highlight was fishing and hunting with his boys. John never caught the big fish in the Big Rock, but I can assure your he is still trying to up in heaven! We lost John May 13th, 2020 after a prolonged battle with cancer. That day we lost a gentle soul who had a unique ability to make anyone in his presence feel nurtured. May God rest his soul. Barnes Boykin
*Editor’s Note: Capt. John Jenkins was the first charter captain to TAG in Morehead City on his boat, CALCUTTA. He tagged over 900 bluefin in his lifetime and his sons were able to go out this year on The General to follow in his footsteps.
Kenny Jo Hansen My Epitaph (to be read when my ashes are scattered in the Gulf Stream, please)
Smile and be happy, please don't worry about me. These are only my ashes being scattered to the sea. I'll not be lonely, so please try not to be sad. Just try to think about all the good times we had. Please, try to be gentle, And try to be kind. It will ease your soul, And it will sooth your mind. Pop me a beer, please light me a cigarette, too. Throw them both overboard, it's all you can do. Cut her hard to port, keep your eyes on the sea. Thanks and may God bless you all, for being so good to me.
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Ernest David Allen, III
As David always said: Fish fear me and women love me!!
Many people on the docks these days didn’t know David Allen but he was one of the Pioneers of Marlin fishing on the Crystal Coast. He first fished the Big Rock in 1972 with Captain Johnny Rose on the Isabel. David was a fixture on the Morehead City waterfront in those days. When he wasn’t in school, he was on the waterfront learning what he didn’t already know about marlin fishing. In 1981 he signed on to fish the Big Rock with Capt. Ken Cramer and Tommy Barnes on the Flying Fish. They caught the winning fish that year, a 432 pound blue marlin. Soon after that David decided to put himself through college, going to school in the winter and working on boats in the summer. He attended ECU and then transferred to Maine Maritime Academy, while still continuing winning marlin tournaments. He was on the winning boat for every tournament in North Carolina. After graduating from Maine Maritime Academy, David began his career on the ocean the thing he loved the most. His assignments
took him around the world literally, but he would always work his schedule out to come home and fish the Big Rock. During those years, he came home to fish with Don Stallings on the Sea Eagle or others. For several years David would rent the Gail Anne for the Big Rock, organize his crew and go fishing. They caught some fish, lost some fish, but always had fun. The inevitable happened in the early 2000’s, David missed the Big Rock. He was miserable, he called everyone he knew every night to find out what happened for the day. It didn’t matter what time zone he was in, he called. I think he was in Angola that year so it was like 3 am his time, so he called it was that important to him. As his career progressed, he had a harder time getting the week of the Big Rock off to fish, and the last 10 years of his life he was on the sidelines, but still calling his friends daily to find out what was going on. It was just prior to the 2020 Big Rock that we got the call that David passed away at sea working. David was buried the Saturday before the Big Rock. On one of David’s last trips home, he was in town for Captain Parker Henry’s wedding. He came by the house and we reminisced about our lives, fishing and hunting (his other passion). We started talking about what we were going to do in our “golden years”. He said that he might he be home for a few days during the Big Rock and if I had space for him. I said I always had space for him, just like there was always a spot at the table at the Fishing Center hanging our with Sonny and Maurice Davis.
February 23, 1960 ~June 2, 2020
Written by Rob & Michelle Warren; Keith & Beth Henry
Lacy Meredith Henry
September 10, 1938 ~ December 12, 2020 Lacy Henry started his tournament fishing career some four and a half decades ago. As a boy, he grew up in Pamlico County making his living working on the water. His tournament fishing passion started here in Morehead City, where his efforts led him to fishing and winning tournaments from the Bahamas throughout North Carolina. He loved the anticipation of the time at the dock prepping for the upcoming week, the excitement of the week of fishing, and seeing and catching a blue marlin and all that it demands. Tournament weeks also brought the seeing of old friends, reminiscing of past tournaments, and talking about all of those that got away. The excitement of backing into the weigh station and being called to the podium at the awards banquet was always nice, but it never compared to seeing the excitement in his children’s, grandchildren’s, or great grandchildren’s eyes when they caught their first billfish and their time out on the gulf stream, that was truly his most cherished prize. Lacy loved being out on the water and tournament fishing but his true love was having his family and close friends with him on the boat fishing as a family and having a good time. 164 | BIG ROCK
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Diane Hynes Locke
September 13, 1935 - February 19, 2021 Diane was a long-time supporter of Big Rock in both sponsorship with her business Container Systems Incorporated and as a participant on her boat “O Lucky Me”. From childhood, Diane participated in competitive sports though offshore sport fishing became her truest passion. From their Sears john boat, Diane and her son Scott agreed that if they could ever catch a blue marlin they would stand on the bow of the boat and yell "Oh lucky me!". Diane and Scott’s boats grew in size, and Diane enjoyed participating in billfish tournaments for more than 30 years. She fished all over the world including Costa Rica and on the Amazon.
“She was my Rock Star of fishing”,
stated Susan Coleman who was a good friend and fishing partner. “To have the passion and dedication at her age was unreal. She was the best roommate at the I.W.F.A. tournaments you could ever ask for. I will miss our stone crabs & soft shells that we always made a tradition for The Big Rock. I will miss her dearly. May she always have tight lines, fair seas & a big blue marlin!”
Captain David Warren Styron July 13, 1948 ~ August 2, 2020
David was born July 13, 1948 in Morehead City to Monna Jean and Warren Lorenzo “Bump” Styron, who named Big Rock tournament in 1973. As a young man, David loved running the docks of the family business, the Morehead City Yacht Basin. There he would witness young captains approaching the dock on beautiful yachts and sport fishing boats. Captured by the adventurous lifestyle, it became David’s ambition. After fulfilling his obligation with the US Coast Guard, he began to pursue his dream job, delivering boats for Hatteras Yacht Company. Spanning a twenty-five year career, his deliveries took him from Bar Harbor, Maine, to Orange Beach, Alabama. David then began captaining private yachts. These travels took him from the CaribDavid was born July 13, bean waters, summers in Morehead City, and winters in West Palm Beach. He always said his favorite private employment was with the Brody family from Kinston. 1948 in Morehead City to David eventually opened his business in 1996. He owned and operated Sign CenMonna Jean and Warren tral for seventeen years. After retirement, fishing and wood working were his fulltime passions. If he wasn’t on the water, he was in his workshop creating another beautiful Lorenzo “Bump” Styron, project. who named Big Rock tourIf you ever had the pleasure of knowing David, you witnessed a loving, kind, caring, and gentle man; one that was always on call to help anyone. David surrounded himself nament in 1973. with genuine, true friends that reflected his same values. thebigrock.com
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Chris Perri
September 3, 1986 ~ January 8, 2021 Chris was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting but was happiest when he was fighting a blue marlin offshore. Chris caught his first blue marlin on June 6, during the 2006 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Little did he know at the time, both the date and determination that it takes to fight a blue marlin would serve him well years later. Chris was diagnosed with Acute Meyloid Leukemia on June 6, 2020 - his 11th wedding anniversary and the same week he was supposed to be fishing the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. The love and admiration the fishing community had for Chris shone brightly that week - local boats and many visitChris caught his ing boats flew orange CP flags that were first blue marlin on June 6, during designed in his honor. Watching the bright the 2006 Big Rock orange logo take over social media and Blue Marlin watching videos of bright orange flags beTournament. ing raised on lines all over Morehead City and at the Weigh Station brought a sense of pride and determination to Chris as he was beginning the fight of his life in Chapel Hill. The flags continued flying the entire tournament season up and down the east coast
and even made it all the way to the Dominican Republic, Chris’ favorite place to fish. Chris spent the last week before his diagnosis fishing out of Morehead City on the Annie C and the Traveler. What would be his last days doing what he loved most were filled with glorious sunrises, dear friends and majestic fish. Chris lost his courageous battle with AML in January of 2021. Chris’ story touched many and has pointed countless people to Jesus. He was blessed with an incredible fishing community who supported him, lifted him up and encouraged him throughout his 7-month battle. As we sat in the hospital on his final days Chris talked most about fishing and being on the water. When I ask the children what they think dad is doing in heaven they always reply “catching a marlin.” And I think they’re right, he’s catching slam after slam in paradise with the great fishermen that went before him.
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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
Airmar Technology Corporation.................................. 105 Albemarle Boats............................................................. 29 Alexseal Yacht Coatings............................................... 150 All About Skin................................................................ 151 Amos Mosquitos............................................................ 94 Ann Paige........................................................................ 88 Aqualoco......................................................................... 48 BB&T/Truist....................................................................111 Bailey’s Fine Jewelry................................................62,110 Banks Boatworks.......................................................... 147 Bask Hotel..................................................................... 166 Bausch American Towers.............................................. 61 Bayliss Boatworks.......................................................... 79 Beaufort Hotel............................................................ 47,62 Beaufort Olive Oil.......................................................... 127 Bluewater Yacht Sales.................................................... 25 C&C Industrial............................................................ 39,74 Calcutta........................................................................... 16 Collins, Inc.................................................................. 12-13 Contender/Starling Marine.......................................... 137 Costa Del Mar................................................................. 38 Cote Boutique............................................................... 170 Crosley............................................................................. 20 Crowe Law Firm.............................................................. 55 Cummins......................................................................... 27 Damco........................................................................... 155 Delta Health..................................................................... 65 Dini’s Self Storage........................................................ 104 Downtown Barre........................................................... 126 EA Wood........................................................................ 151 Eastbay Media................................................................ 95 EJW Outdoors................................................................. 21 Eastern Turf Maintenance............................................ 136 Fences Unlimited.......................................................... 167 Fifth Third Bank.............................................................. 89 First Citizens Bank.........................................................8-9 Garmin............................................................................. 59 GFL................................................................................... 18 GP Link.......................................................................... 168
Gregory Poole................................................................. 40 Hampton Inn................................................................. 128 Island Proper................................................................. 168 Island XPertees............................................................... 26 Jarrett Bay Boatworks..................................... 2-3,140,172 Ladies Love Pink........................................................... 150 Linda Rike Real Estate..................................... 4-5,125,141 Mary Cheatham King Real Estate................................ 109 Mary Kay/Debbie Fisher............................................... 136 McQueen’s Interiors..................................................... 108 Michelob Ultra............................................................ 15,94 Momentum Yoga & Fitness.......................................... 110 MTU................................................................................. 63 Napa................................................................................ 17 Oyster Belle................................................................... 126 Pair Electronics............................................................... 87 Parker Auto Group......................................................... 6-7 Parker Boats...............................................................22-23 Pepsi - Minges Bottling Group....................................... 78 Posh Pelican................................................................... 14 Release Marine............................................................... 73 Salt Life....................................................................... 10-11 Seakeeper........................................................................ 45 Smithfield Foods............................................................. 30 SouthEastern Foundaries............................................ 157 Spencer Yachts............................................................. 171 Steve Goione................................................................... 51 Sumbrella........................................................................ 31 The Flame...................................................................... 156 The Friendly Market...................................................... 130 The Gatorbug................................................................ 127 The Inn at Pine Knoll Shores.......................................... 75 Tow Boats U.S............................................................... 140 Town Creek Marina......................................................... 49 Towne Insurance, Towne Bank...................................... 44 Wells Fargo...................................................................... 28 Yamaha Outboards.................................................... 12-13 Z&Z Designs.................................................................. 128
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The
DREAM
is
C LO SER
than you think
SP ENC ERYACHTSINC.COM
TO WORLD-RENOWNED BRAND
PHOTOS: LUKE PEARSON
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
T hank you to everyone who has been part of the amazing ride!
3 4 ° 4 8 ’ 2 0 ” N / 76 ° 41’ 0 7 ” W
2 52 -7 2 8 -2 6 9 0
J A R R E T T B AY. CO M