Marlin Mayhem BY GHM STAFF
Alabama’s newest billfsh tournament turns into a record-setting weekend. Known for incredible fshing, the northern Gulf of Mexico’s reputation for billfsh action was cemented this past summer when a new tournament produced multiple record-setting fsh and gave Gulf Coast anglers a show they won’t soon forget. In just its second year, the Blue Marlin Grand Championship at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama,
Weigh-in was a magical time at the Blue Marlin Grand Championship this summer in Orange Beach, Alabama.
produced three blues that were all north of 700 lbs.,
The tournament saw the state record for blue marlin broken twice in one night. Photo: Mark Worden.
and the top two fsh, weighed within hours of each other, both broke the 24-year-old Alabama state record of 779 lbs. The action started early. On the frst night, fve
In all, teams in the 50-boat tournament were competing for more than $1 million in cash prizes and the drama was intense. In late evening of the
As the big blue was hoisted, the announcement was made, “The new Alabama state record…789.8 lbs.!” A crowd of about 5,000 cheered as the crew
marlin that were caught all met the tournament’s
inaugural tournament day, the crew of the Rising
celebrated in a shower of beer suds. Another blue
101” minimum length. Those are big numbers for the
Sons brought in their frst fsh—a stunning blue
weighed in at 452 lbs. and then word came of the
Northern Gulf. First to the dock was the Whoo Dat.
marlin. The Louisiana-based boat was fshing about
night’s fnal fsh. The Reel Fire was headed to the dock
Angelo Depaola’s 105.5” blue marlin weighed 426.2
130 miles to the southwest from Orange Beach when
with a fsh measuring over 120”. Everyone knew that
lbs., and would have won the previous weekend’s
their marlin hit and put up a two-hour fght. Angler
the new state record might not be enough to win
tournament in nearby Pensacola. It would end up
Jeremy Powers worked the rod and the crew had to
the day.
being the “smallest” blue registered.
dump the leader twice before getting the fsh aboard.
When Reel Fire arrived, the dock crew strained to
