Blue marlin, 518.5 pounds, loses 41-minute battle with angler
Two blue mariln were brought to the scales on Tuesday’s second day of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, and a 518.5-pound fish leads the six-day tournament.
Honey Hush, captained by Chuck Linder of Morehead City, N.C., hooked up with the big billfish, and angler Robert Gorrell won a 41-minute battle to boat the fish. The boat is in position to win $753,875 from the $2.5 million purse if the catch stands up for the next four days.
Honey Hush woudl have won $501,500 for being the first boat to bring a 500-pound blue marlin to the scales, but it did not enter that prize category.
Earlier in the day, Game Changer, captained by Geoff Rosenberry of Bluffton, S.C., brough a 409.2-pound blue marlin to the scales after angler Michael Perry won a 63-minute fight.
Rosenberry, Perry and the crew have been fishing together for 15 years. Their current catch is worth $262,400 if they can stay in second place.
Crews from 132 of 183 boats entered went offshore Tuesday to try to be first to land a big blue marlin. Since the Level V prize of $501,500 is still up for grabs, there may be a push to go offshore Wednesday despite projected rough conditions.
Competitors in the 60th Big Rock are allowed to fish four-of-six fishing days and must notify officials of the days they do not intend to fish. Fishing hours are from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., except Saturday when the fishing hours are 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Any fight that starts before the end-of-day deadline can continue until the hook-up reaches a resolution.
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