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 2024 Pacific Cup wrapped up in style with an unforgettable awards night at the Royal Kona Resort, where Team Russell was officially crowned back-to-back champions. The team of Murray “The Hammar” Hansen, John Griffiths, Robyn Hall, and Bernie Bergin claimed the top honors with 3,000 points after five action-packed days on the water.
This year’s event saw a dramatic increase in catch numbers compared with 2023. Anglers released 26 blue marlin (up from seven last year) and 21 shortbill spearfish (up from five). A single striped marlin was released, and one Ahi (yellowfin tuna) weighing 113 pounds was brought to the scales by Jeff Douglas of Team Resolution.
The question on everyone’s mind: Were there simply more fish around this year—or did the widespread use of sonar across the fleet make the difference? Either way, the results were impressive.
Team Resolution, led by Jeff Douglas and Greg Thompson, finished second with 2,715 points. Douglas also earned Top Angler honors with 1,551 points and caught the tournament’s largest Ahi. Team Bay of Island Boys — Bruce Rogers, Terry Henwood, John Rule, and Tom Rogers — claimed third place with 2,000 points.
The Top Game Boat award went to Tantrum, captained by Ryan O’Hallaran with crewmen Mitch Shields and Anthony Riccio, who scored an impressive 3,151 points.
The awards night was a fitting close to an exceptional week — filled with cocktails, laughter, tall tales, and a well-earned celebration of skill and camaraderie on the Kona coast.
Mahalo from the Pacific Cup team — until next year!
