Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 2004
The 2004 Big Rock was held from June 12 to 19 in Morehead City, NC, and attracted 195 boats. This is the 46th anniversary of the tournament, and they paid out a Big Rock record of $1,476,175. The following results were gathered from the tournament’s website, www.thebigrock.com.
The Bertram Blue Marlin Division was won by “Impulse” out of Atlantic Beach. The “Impulse,” captained by Durham businessman Donald Lane, Jr., brought in a 555 lb. blue marlin to take home $711,375 in prize money. The angler was Jay Hughes.
Second place went to a local boat from our area.. The “Rumor Mill,” out of Kure Beach, NC, brought in a 454 lb. blue marlin. Captain Mike King and Angler Mike Robertson were awarded $285,825 in prize money.
“Southern Exposure,” a boat out of King George, VA, took third. Their 422 lb. blue marlin was brought in by Capt. Robert Gollahon and Angler Bob Gollahon. Third place paid out $181,100.
The Shimano Release Division was won by two blue marlin releases by “Magic Moment,” a boat out of Smithfield, NC. Their 800 points were good for $73,236. Second place, and $43,080, went to LaGrange, NC’s “Razorback Express” for a blue marlin and a white marlin release. The Ocean City, MD, boat “Seaphoria,” in third place, also had a blue and a white release. It was good for $21,540.
The Daily Release Division title for Monday went to “Razorback Express” for a blue marlin and a white marlin release. Tuesday was won by “Calcutta-Monds,” out of Virginia Beach, VA, for a blue release. “Gypsy Angler,” out of North Palm Beach, FL, won on Wednesday with a blue release. “Job Site,” from Greenville, NC, won on Thursday with a white release, and the Daily Release title on Friday went to “Seaphoria” with two releases, one blue and one white.
The Daily First Billfish Released paid out $2,000 to each day’s winner. Monday was won by Hilton Head, SC’s “Micabe” with a white release at 9:19. Tuesday was won by a local boat. “Tail Walker,” out of Southport, NC, had a sail release at 9:26. “Harriett L,” a boat out of Morehead, NC, won on Wednesday with a white release at 9:27. “Marquesa,” out of Raleigh, NC, won on Thursday with a white release at 10:09. Friday’s $2,000 went to “Looking Back,” from Melbourne, FL, with a white release at 11:13.
The Game Fish Division included 1st and 2nd place prizes for tuna, wahoo, and dolphin. The Tuna Division was won with a tuna weighing 58.45 lbs. It was caught by “Forty Something,” a boat fishing out of Morehead City. The second place tuna weighed 51.95 lbs., and it was caught by “The Office.” “The Office” is a local boat out of Southport, NC.
The top wahoo also weighed 51.95 lbs. It was brought in by “Fishing Partner,” of Lynchburg, VA. In second place was “Tail Walker” with a 45.95 lb. wahoo. The dolphin top spot went to Beaufort, NC’s “Town Creek Marina.” Their winning fish weighed 43.85 lbs. “HC Canyon,” from Westbrook, CT, was in second with a 39.45 lb. dolphin.
The Lady Angler Division title went to Annette Loftin for her blue marlin release. Loftin was fishing aboard the “Honey Hush” out of Morehead City. Virginia Webb, fishing on the “Double Down,” out of Glastonbury, CT, took second with her blue marlin release. Third place went to Teresa Hagerty, of “Instigator-Gergely,” for a white marlin release. “Instigator-Gergely” is from Mooresville, NC. Nancy Alexander, on the “Forty Something,” took fourth place with a white release. The last position in the top 5 lady anglers went to Becky Rose. Rose released a sailfish while fishing on the “About Time” out of Raleigh, NC.
One other local boat finished on the leader board. The “Jim Dandy,” out of Wilmington, NC, took second place on Tuesday in the Dolphin Division. The dolphin weighed 33.65 lbs.
This year’s Big Rock donated $107,250 to 16 different area charities. Since 1988, Big Rock officials have donated $1,183,250 to charity. Crystal Watters, director of the Big Rock, said, “We had another great tournament, and we were able to donate more than $100,000 to charity for the eighth straight year.”
The 47th annual Big Rock is slated for June 11-18, 2005. For more complete information on the tournament, you can visit www.thebigrock.com.
