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The 67th Annual Hatteras Marlin Club Blue Marlin Release Tournament brought 54 boats to Hatteras, North Carolina, from June 21-27, continuing one of the region’s longest-running billfish traditions that focuses more on family, friends, and the future of fishing, than on big payouts. After weather sidelined portions of the week, the fleet finished with 25 blue marlin, seven white marlin and 27 sailfish releases.
At the end of the week, Simple Mann claimed the overall release title with three blue marlin and two sailfish releases for 1,540 points. Kimberly Dawn finished second with two blue marlin and two sailfish releases for 1,120 points, while Outlaw took third with two blue marlin releases and 840 points.
Holden Brown, fishing aboard Simple Mann, earned Top Male honors with two blue marlin releases worth 840 points. Stella Mae Powell aboard Kimberly Dawn was the Top Female Angler after releasing a blue marlin for 420 points. George Powell Jr. of Kimberly Dawn earned Top Teen honors with one blue marlin and two sailfish releases for 700 points.
In the non-omni category, Ticker Tape led the way with one blue marlin and one sailfish release for 640 points. The meat-fish awards went to Mike Accattato aboard BB with a 77.9-pound tuna, Gavin Willard aboard Bill of Fare with a 22.27-pound wahoo, and Cody Hart aboard Unplugged with a 25.8-pound dolphin.
More than six decades in, the tournament remains rooted in the Hatteras fishing community. Its members, families and young anglers continue to carry forward a tradition built on competition, camaraderie and the next generation of offshore fishermen.
