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The 66th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, presented by Jarrett Bay Boatworks, made sportfishing history with an unprecedented total purse of $7,562,700, attracting a record fleet of 302 boats. For the first time, the top three teams each took home over $1.8 million.
Capt. Ben Brownlee and the Game Time emerged as the overall winner with a 516-pound blue marlin, maintaining the lead throughout the week. The team captured the top four prize levels, earning a total of $1,816,375.
Release was named the Fabulous Fishermen by catching the first 500-pound blue marlin of the tournament on Day 1. Their 504-pound marlin secured them second place overall, with a combined payout of $2,215,325, including a substantial $1,729,750 from Level V.
The 64-foot Jarrett Bay vessel, Builder’s Choice, showed it pays to go across the board. Their 431.8-pound blue marlin earned $1,479,000 in the Level VI Prime Storage Super 20 Division and an additional $323,050 for third place in Levels I-IV, bringing their total to $1,802,050.
Ava D set a new record in the Level VII Dolphin Winner Take All Division with a 46.2-pound mahi, earning $603,500, the highest payout for a dolphin in any tournament worldwide.
Sandbob triumphed in the Level VIII Release Division, netting $201,167 by releasing five blue marlin and two white marlin, accumulating 2,250 points over four days.
Honky Tonk won the Level IX Non-Sonar Release Division, releasing three blue marlin for a total of $114,750.
Top Shot secured the top position in the Level X & XI Outboard Divisions with four blue marlin releases, earning $50,575.
Throughout the tournament, 268 billfish were released, including 196 blue marlin, 35 white marlin, and 37 sailfish. Participants had numerous chances to win part of the $7.5 million purse through daily release cash prizes, overall release points, and daily and weekly prizes for the heaviest dolphin, tuna, and wahoo.
For a complete list of winners, visit the 2024 Big Rock Payouts List.
