Morehead City, N.C. – The excitement of the annual big game fishing tournament continues as it reaches its fifth day, with enticing prizes still on the horizon, including a grand cash reward for the first angler to land a 500-pound blue marlin.
While the boat ‘Shenandoah’ weighed in a blue marlin at 304.6 pounds earlier today, it falls short of the qualifying mark. The fish was caught around 1:22 p.m. and docked later at 3:30 p.m. Another contender, ‘Southern Grace’, is currently engaged with a catch since 12:06 p.m., but has yet to bring it to the dock.
This year’s tournament features 269 boats heading out into the water, despite challenging conditions faced earlier in the week that temporarily halted fishing activity. As reported, fishing resumed with better weather, allowing boats to actively participate. On Wednesday, ‘Bankwalker’ returned to the dock with a notable 449.7-pound blue marlin, with angler Lizzie Montague successfully reeling it in under the guidance of her father, the captain Bryant Montague.
Big Rock officials have highlighted the competitive atmosphere as the lucrative Level V Fabulous Fisherman’s Prize, amounting to an impressive $807,500 for the first 500-pound blue marlin, remains unclaimed and adds to the stakes of the tournament.
As the tournament progresses, enthusiasts and participants alike remain hopeful for a record-breaking catch that could change the standings and perhaps lead to an extraordinary finish to this year’s fishing event.