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With just under three months remaining, the Marlin Global Challenge is living up to its name—and then some. This high-stakes, international blue marlin shootout has already seen incredible action from both sides of the globe, as anglers chase giant fish, bragging rights, and their share of the $100,000 guaranteed payout.
Currently sitting at the top of the leaderboard is Jeffrey Stafford aboard Tantrum with a thick 715-pound blue marlin, caught during the Kona Throw Down in Hawaii with Capt. Nick Durham. Hooked in the early hours of July 9, Stafford’s fish is not only the largest posted so far, but also a perfect example of why Kona remains one of the world’s top big-fish destinations.
Hot on his heels is Ron Davis on Southern Charm/All-In with a 654.6-pound blue, weighed at the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic in Sandestin, Florida. Landed on June 24, this quality Gulf Coast blue briefly held the top spot until Stafford’s Hawaiian fish shook things up.
Eli Blake and the Builder’s Choice crew made waves in Bermuda with a 650-pound blue marlin during the Bermuda Big Game Classic on July 12, adding even more international flair to the standings. This fish played a pivotal role in Builder’s Choice ultimately winning the Bermuda Triple Crown.
Rounding out the top four is Nick Pratt aboard It Just Takes Time with a solid 554.2-pound blue caught back in May during the Gulf Coast Masters in Mobile, Alabama. Pratt’s early-season fish set the tone for a red-hot summer of fishing in the Gulf.
With solid fish already landed in Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Gulf, the 2025 Marlin Global Challenge has showcased exactly what makes big-game fishing so thrilling—unpredictable, international, and fiercely competitive.
But it’s far from over. With some of the world’s biggest tournaments still on the horizon—including the White Marlin Open, The MidAtlantic, the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, and the Bisbee’s Black & Blue—there’s plenty of water left to cover.
Think you’ve got what it takes to shake up the standings? There’s still time to register. Join the other 48 teams in the hunt for the global title and guaranteed minimum $100,000 payout. One fish could change everything!
