2025 Marlin Photo Contest

Marlin’s 2025 Photo of the Year Contest

Each year, Marlin celebrates the passion, artistry, and adventure of big-game fishing through our annual Photo of the Year Contest — and 2025 was our most competitive yet. With hundreds of incredible entries from around the world, this year’s finalists showcased the very best moments from life offshore.

After weeks of voting and thousands of ballots cast, we’re proud to present the 2025 Marlin Photo of the Year winner and the top images from each category. These exceptional photos will be featured in Marlin’s Special Annual Issue, hitting newsstands this December — along with a behind-the-lens look at the stories behind the shots.

Our grand-prize winner also receives a dream trip to Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica, one of the world’s premier sport-fishing destinations.

A huge thank-you to everyone who entered, voted, and helped make this year’s contest a celebration of the sport we all love.

Patrick WIlson - Insta: @destin30arealestate

Patrick Wilson, Grand Prize Winner, Boat Finalist

Evan Thomas - Insta: @bluewaterpursuitsmedia

Evan Thomas, Boat Finalist

John-Austin Gallardo - Insta: @multimediadeckhand

John-Austin Gallardo, Marlin Finalist

Shaun Ruge - Insta: @Eidolon.fish

Shaun Ruge, Marlin Finalist

James Strange - Insta: @fathom_photography_

James Strange, Sailfish & Billfish Finalist

Adair Bates - Insta: @adair.bates

Adair Bates, Sailfish & Billfish Finalist

Evan Thomas - Insta: @bluewaterpursuitsmedia

Evan Thomas, Lifestyle Finalist

Taylor Bakke - Insta: @alwaysbentfishingoc

Taylor Bakke, Lifestyle Finalist

Photo of the Year Categories

Sailfish & Billfish Photo of the Year

Boat Photo of the Year

Marlin Photo of the Year

Lifestyle Photo of the Year

How to Vote

Select your favorite photo and enter your email to vote. A valid email address is required. Automated “bot” voting will result in permanent disqualification from the tournament. By voting you agree to receive communications from Marlin and you consent to our Privacy and Data Policies. You may opt out of email messages / withdraw consent at any time.

Win a Trip to Crocodile Bay Resort & Marina

Contest Rules

Submit your best offshore fishing images—a maximum of two per photographer. Please submit as high-resolution JPG.
The window for contest entries will be open from September 15, 2025, through October 1, 2025. The first round of public voting will take place from October 6–12, 2025, where the top two finalists receiving the most votes in each category will advance to a final round of public voting from October 13–19, 2025.
Public voting will take place on this webpage, with one vote per valid email address. Participants are encouraged to invite their friends and followers on social media to vote for their images.
The top two images in each category with the most votes will be recognized on Marlin’s website and in the 2026 Marlin Special Annual Issue that is published in December 2025.
The overall winning image will be named the 2025 Marlin Photo of the Year and will also receive the all-inclusive Crocodile Bay Resort & Marina prize package (airfare not included).
A valid email address is required. Automated “bot” voting will result in permanent disqualification from the photo contest. By entering and voting you agree to receive communications from Marlin and you consent to our Privacy and Data Policies. You may opt out of email messages / withdraw consent at any time.

Marlin’s 2025 Photo of the Year Contest

Photo of the Year Categories

How to Vote

Win a Trip to Crocodile Bay Resort & Marina

Contest Rules

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