Subscribe to Marlin magazine and get a year of highly collectible, keepsake editions – plus access to the digital edition and archives. Sign up for the free Marlin email newsletter.
The Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic, hosted at Cypress Cove Marina & Lodge, celebrated its 20th year with a total tournament payout of $475,950. The event featured fresh Louisiana seafood, nightly dinner parties and free-flowing spirits. The 24 participating teams caught 46 blue marlin, five white marlin and one sailfish during the competition.
Team Briar Patch, led by Capt. Corey Hurst, earned top honors as the top boat and first-place billfish release boat, releasing seven blue marlin. The team took home $92,775 in prize money, along with trophies and other prizes. Briar Patch angler Mary Katheryn Adams was named top lady angler after catching three blue marlin, while Brantley Adams earned the top junior angler trophy with three blue marlin releases.
Team Southern Charm, captained by Landon Bell, won first place in the blue marlin category with angler Gregg Trenor’s tournament record-setting 728.4-pound fish. This impressive catch anchored the team’s winnings of $111,450. Trenor also released three additional blue marlin and one white marlin, earning him the top angler award.
Team It Just Takes Time, under the command of Capt. Myles Colley, released four blue marlin and one white marlin, securing third place in the release team category. Additionally, Nick Pratt landed a 591.9-pound blue marlin on the final day of fishing, earning the team third place for blue marlin and total winnings of $94,920.
Read Next: Marlin Fishing in Venice, Louisiana
Team Supreme, with Capt. Chase Lake, had a strong final day, catching three blue marlin and one white marlin. Those efforts brought their total to six blue marlin and one white marlin, earning them second place in the billfish release team category and $55,665 in prize money.
On the first day of competition, Team Double J, captained by JJ Tabor, saw angler Andre Leblanc catch a 610.4-pound blue marlin on stand-up gear, securing second place for blue marlin and winning $38,520.
A Work of Art, led by Capt. Jason Buck, entered multiple optional categories, including blue marlin, billfish release and tuna. The team won $57,420 for its 522.4-pound blue marlin caught by Christian Fast and the first-place 86.9-pound tuna caught by Garrett Ford.
