MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. -- Morehead City’s annual Big Rock Blue Marlin fishing tournament kicks off on Friday.
- This is the 61st year for the tournament
- The marlin weighing the most during the tournament was caught back in 2000 and weighed 831 pounds
- For more information on the tournament and to view live webcams, visit their website.
The event, which dates back to 1957, attracts thousands of visitors to the Crystal Coast throughout the week.
According to the tournament’s website, more than 40 boats are expected to participate this year.
In years past, anglers caught some pretty sizable marlins, with the largest on record for the tournament weighing in at 831 pounds in 2000.
Last year, the winners brought in a blue marlin weighing in at 518.5 pounds.
Waterfront businesses in Morehead City are eager for a successful tournament to kick start their summer season, especially following losses sustained during Hurricane Florence last year.
“The community is still suffering. And the way that we are all looking at it, it’s going to be like that for another year or so. And hopefully we’ll have a real quiet hurricane season this year,” said Fabian Botta with Ruddy Duck Tavern.
Big Rock kicks off June 7 and continues through June 12.
For more information and to follow the daily leaderboards and webcams, visit their website.