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The 2025 Marlin Global Challenge, presented by SpotZero, has officially kicked off with its first qualifying entry, as It Just Takes Time weighed in a 554.2-pound blue marlin during the 48th Annual Gulf Coast Masters tournament.
Landed by owner/angler Nick Pratt, the catch currently places them at the top of the leaderboard for the MGC’s winner-take-all jackpot, which boasts a guaranteed minimum payout of $100,000. But with the competition running through October, there is still plenty of time for competing teams to challenge their position and take advantage of these incredible odds to win some serious cash.
The Gulf Coast Masters, a prestigious event hosted by the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club from May 21-24 at Orange Beach Marina, Alabama, is renowned for its competitive spirit and exceptional camaraderie. Although a larger 564.8-pound blue marlin was weighed by C’mon Man during the tournament to take the top honors, the team was not registered for the Marlin Global Challenge, rendering their catch ineligible for the competition. Even more reason to sign up today before your next tournament!
The Marlin Global Challenge, launched by The Marlin Group earlier this year, offers a unique format that allows teams to compete by registering online and participating in recognized blue marlin tournaments worldwide. To qualify, a team must catch a blue marlin weighing over 500 pounds during the competition window of April 1 to October 31, 2025. The team with the heaviest qualifying marlin at the end of the season will claim 85% of all jackpot entry fees, with a guaranteed minimum payout of $100,000. Additionally, the winning team will be honored in a special annual edition of Marlin magazine in December 2025 and will receive an invitation to compete in the 2026 Offshore World Championship.
Anglers interested in joining the Marlin Global Challenge can register online and participate in their preferred recognized tournaments without the need for additional travel or commitments. For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.marlinmag.com/tournaments/marlin-global-challenge/.
