A Salty Win
Biloxi, Mississippi; June 12, 2023: By Dir. Bert Merritt Owner/angler Chris Hatcher, Capt. Dennis Bennett and the crew of Salt Shaker won the highly contested blue marlin division by weighing the largest of seven blues during the 2023 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. The 723.7 pound blue gave the team the hotly contested win after watching four other blues tip the scales in the 500 [...]
Historic Win
Biloxi, Mississippi; June 13, 2022: By Capt. Dave Lear Owner/angler Nick Pratt, Capt. Chris Hood and the It Just Takes Time team swept the blue marlin divisions by weighing the only qualifier during the 2022 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, The 763.6-pound blue gave the team an unprecedented win for the third year in a row. That feat has never been accomplished in the 26-year [...]
Unprecedented!
Biloxi, Mississippi; June 11, 2022: By Capt. Dave Lear In the 26-year history of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, no team has ever won back to back top boat honors. Until It Just Takes Time did it in 2020 and again in 2021. And when the trophies and checks are passed out at Sunday’s awards breakfast, It Just Takes Time will be the last [...]
The Scorecard
Biloxi, Mississippi; June 10, 2022 By Capt. Dave Lear The bite offshore is almost as hot as the temperatures on the hill. It is unofficially summer, after all, and the 73 boats competing in the 26th annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic are racking up the release points. As of late Saturday afternoon the collective tally included 33 blue marlin, six whites and two sailfish. [...]
The Mentors
June 9, 2022; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear The 73 boats competing in the 2022 MGCBC have already punched through the showers peppering the coastline. The race is on deep into the Gulf of Mexico on a quest for fame and fortune. Each team is vying for the apex predator in the marine food chain—Makaira nigricans—or a blue marlin weighing 600 pounds or more. [...]
Fuel Economy
June 8, 2022; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear Look around the docks at the Port Cadet Marina in Biloxi and you won’t see the nautical equivalent of Prius, Volkswagen or even Tesla. The view instead features large gleaming blue-water battlewagons with massive diesel inboards or a stable of high-powered outboard ponies. Each is adorned with wind-resistant outriggers, hardtops and racks of fishing combos. And while [...]