Pending State Record Blue Marlin Caught at Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tourney

MANTEO – A pending North Carolina state record Atlantic Blue Marlin was caught Friday, August 15, during the 25th Annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament by Trey Irvine onboard the Mimi.

The massive 1,228.50 pound Atlantic Blue Marlin was weighed at Pirate’s Cove Marina at approximately 3:45 P.M. On August 15.  When the catch is certified, it will bump the N.C. state record 86.5 pounds over the current record 1,142 pounder caught by Jack Herrington in 1974.  The Pirate’s Cove tournament is the final event of the 2008 N.C. Governor’s Cup Billfish Conservation Series and officials from the Division of Marine Fisheries were at the event, so this record should be accepted quickly.

The world record Atlantic Blue Marlin weighed 1,402.20 pounds and was caught in Brazil in 1992.

Irvine, of Westin Florida, and the Mimi crew joined fishermen from North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and South Carolina competing in the tournament.  A total of 104 Billfish were caught during the tournament and all but the Mimi’s huge blue marlin were released for a 99 per cent release rate.  The individual species included 24 Blue Marlin, 59 White Marlin, 20 Sailfish and 1 spearfish.

The huge marlin made for quite an impressive winnings total of nearly a half-million dollars for the crew of the Mimi and a Top Angler Trophy for Irvine.  They were entered in every category and swept them.  Their winnings included:
Team Award
1st Place   Mimi (Florida) 1,228.50 pts.  $70,240
Top Boat Award
1st Place   Mimi (Florida) 1,228.50 pts.  $33,880
Daily Award
Day 4 First Fish Mimi (Florida) 1,228.50 pts.   $21,355
Blue Marlin Jackpot #1
1st Place   Mimi (Florida) 1,228.50 pts.  $58,855.50
Blue Marlin Jackpot #2
1st Place   Mimi (Florida) 1,228.50 pts.  $48,708.00
Team Jackpot #1
1st Place   Mimi (Florida) 1,228.50 pts.  $101,024.00
Team Jackpot #2
1st Place   Mimi (Florida) 1,228.50 pts.  $162,250.00
Top Angler Trophy Trey Irvine                  1,228.50 pts.

For more information on 25th Annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament or any of the 2008 Pirate’s Cove Big Game Tournaments go to www.pcbiggame.com or call (252) 473-1015.