First blue marlin of the tournament weighed 448.8 pounds
FOLLOWING SEAS brought the first blue marlin to the scales of the 2021 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament on Monday, June 14. The crew missed out on the big money prize for the 448.8-pound blue, missing the minimum weight requirement to pocket the six-figure check.
The $828,000, which is awarded to the first 500+ pound blue marlin to hit the scales is still in play.
The boat backed into the weigh station at 1:40 p.m. on Monday, the first day of the annual event, now in its 63rd year.
Capt. James Vanderbeck said the crew is plenty happy with the catch, happy to take the early lead in the event, and ready to get back on the water.
Angler Kirk Kellogg was also happy with the blue
“We’re happy to have him. He came up on a teaser and hit a plug. We were fishing around Hatteras. Everyone involved did a great job,” said Vanderbeck.
Kirk Kellogg was the angler that reeled in the big fish. The veteran Blue Rock participant was all smiles when interviewed at the landing.
“The boat is 6 days old, and this is exactly what I wanted. Being here with the team is wonderful and I want to thank the Captain and crew for a great job today. It was a little surreal. (The marlin) bit the right short plug and it was off to the races. Didn’t know what it was for a while until we got it to the boat. The crew performed fantastic. Today has really just been surreal,” he said.
Although they fell short of winning the $828,000, that doesn’t mean they aren’t still in the running for that prize. Following Seas will be back on the water tomorrow, and as long as no other boat brings a 500+ pounder in today, they’ll have an equal chance on Day 2 of bringing that big one to the scales.
And let’s not forget, they’re currently in the lead for the heaviest blue marlin weighed in throughout the entire 6-day event. That fetches a handsome ransom of $1.6 million.
Click here to get live updates on the 2021 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.
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