The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament was held in Morehead City, North Carolina from June 9 through June 18, 2023. The tournament is one of the largest and oldest sport fishing tournaments in the United States. This year, over 271 boats participated and the winning catch, caught by the Sensation, was disqualified due to being mutilated by a shark or other marine animal.
On the last day, the crew of the Sensation engaged in a strenuous struggle with the marlin for over six hours. They eventually made their way back to the dock amidst enthusiastic crowds, anticipating a joyous occasion. Their marlin, weighing in at 619-pounds, would have won the tournament. However, it was disqualified, the tournament stating “It was deemed that the fish was mutilated before it was landed or boated,” according to CNN. If the Sensation had not been disqualified, the crew would have received a substantial sum of $3.5 million for their catch, which included a remarkable reward of over $700,000 for being the first boat to capture a marlin weighing more than 500 pounds. In the end, the crew of Sushi emerged victorious with their 484.5-pound blue marlin, securing the first-place position and a total prize amount of $2,769,438
The owner of the Sensation has filed an official complaint because in 2019, the vessel Top Dog managed to secure victory in the Big Rock tournament by capturing a record-breaking 914-pound marlin despite the fish being severely mutilated.
The 2023 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City saw over 271 boats competing. The winning catch by the Sensation, a 619-pound marlin, was disqualified due to severe mutilation caused by a marine animal. The crew of Sushi emerged as the champions with a 484.5-pound blue marlin, earning a prize of $2,769,438. The disqualification led to an official complaint, highlighting a similar incident in 2019. This tournament emphasizes the challenges and controversies in sport fishing, leaving room for further discussion on fair competition.
On the last day, the crew of the Sensation engaged in a strenuous struggle with the marlin for over six hours. They eventually made their way back to the dock amidst enthusiastic crowds, anticipating a joyous occasion. Their marlin, weighing in at 619-pounds, would have won the tournament. However, it was disqualified, the tournament stating “It was deemed that the fish was mutilated before it was landed or boated,” according to CNN. If the Sensation had not been disqualified, the crew would have received a substantial sum of $3.5 million for their catch, which included a remarkable reward of over $700,000 for being the first boat to capture a marlin weighing more than 500 pounds. In the end, the crew of Sushi emerged victorious with their 484.5-pound blue marlin, securing the first-place position and a total prize amount of $2,769,438
The owner of the Sensation has filed an official complaint because in 2019, the vessel Top Dog managed to secure victory in the Big Rock tournament by capturing a record-breaking 914-pound marlin despite the fish being severely mutilated.
The 2023 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City saw over 271 boats competing. The winning catch by the Sensation, a 619-pound marlin, was disqualified due to severe mutilation caused by a marine animal. The crew of Sushi emerged as the champions with a 484.5-pound blue marlin, earning a prize of $2,769,438. The disqualification led to an official complaint, highlighting a similar incident in 2019. This tournament emphasizes the challenges and controversies in sport fishing, leaving room for further discussion on fair competition.
