The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin®, the South’s number-one ranked resort destination, will take place June 22- June 26, 2016. This world-class, million dollar, sport fishing tournament is held off the Florida panhandle in one of the most productive fisheries in the United States. The tourney is timed to coincide with the peak of the Gulf Coast’s blue marlin season.
The ECBC is a “modified-release” tournament and sets a high minimum length for blue marlin, which are the only billfish that may be weighed. Release points are awarded for blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and spearfish. The three heaviest weighed blue marlin, dolphin, tuna and wahoo are eligible for cash awards, as are the top three teams entered in the Release Division, and the top three Crews entered in the Crew Division. Awards are presented to the top overall, release, lady and junior anglers. The top overall release team joins former winners engraved on the Magnificent Blue Perpetual Trophy, donated by Galati Yacht Sales and Viking Yachts, sculpted by Chris Barela and on permanent display in the Grand Sandestin.
Since the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic began in 2003, the ECBC has grown over 80% in participation and 350% in cash awards, holding the record for the biggest cash payout in the Gulf at over $1.6 million. Named as one of the top ten big-money tournaments in the world by Marlin magazine, the ECBC currently holds the record as the richest tournament in the Gulf. Tournament cash awards regularly surpass $1 million with over 27 optional entry levels.
This year will be no exception as the tourney will offer the same excitement for the anglers fishing the Gulf of Mexico waters. For the families, there is the wide variety of recreational activities offered at the Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort and The Village of Baytowne Wharf. For the public, the exciting weigh-ins, held at the Baytowne Marina at Sandestin®, are free and open to all.
The schedule for the week includes registration and Captain’s Meeting on Wednesday (June 22nd), with fishing commencing on Thursday (June23rd), weigh-ins on Friday (June 24th) and Saturday (June 25th) and the Awards Brunch on Sunday (June 26th). Come out to the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin®, for the fun, fellowship, family atmosphere and of course, the fishing.
Photo by Allison Yii, courtesy of the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin®.
