The morning started strong, with GAMEKEEPER securing the Gregory Poole First Blue Marlin Release of the Day at 9:29 AM, earning a $5,000 prize.
OLD NO. 7 made an iconic tournament debut with a double-header blue marlin release at 10:40 a.m., claiming the Level VIII Daily Release Prize of $49,229. It was their first time fishing Big Rock, having traveled all the way from Palm Beach, Florida — the farthest north they’ve ever fished.
“We’ve been excited to expand our travels a little bit and come up north. We’re inching our way along and this is our first time here. We’re super excited about it. It’s the same species but you get humbled very quickly in a new place.” — Dane, Old No. 7 Angler
Later that morning, WAVE PAVER added a triple-header of sailfish to the tally by 11:23 AM.
Back on land, BOW MOVEMENT took home the Gulf Docks $1,200 fuel giveaway — without ever leaving the slip.
There was also plenty of competition at the scales, with eight dolphin weighed throughout the afternoon. The leaderboard saw multiple shakeups before OFFSHORE OUTLAW raced to the scales just before the 7:00 PM cutoff to weigh a 14.0 lb. dolphin and secure the daily first-place payout of $5,000. DITCH DIGGER followed closely behind with an 11.8 lb. dolphin, earning $2,500 for second place.
No blue marlin were weighed on Day 1. With forecasts predicting continued rough seas, tomorrow may see another light turnout offshore.
Follow along for live updates and leaderboards in the Big Rock App — tournament week is only just beginning.
