June 13, 2016; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear It was the ideal formula for success. With 81 of the top boats in the sport, more than $1.7 million dollars at stake and excellent fishing combined with perfect weather, the prize money had to be spread out. That’s exactly what happened as multiple teams pocketed [...]
June 12, 2016; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear It was a mixed palette of blues, yellows and silver Saturday against the backdrop of a rosy pink sunset. But mainly it was blue and yellow as six more blue marlin were brought to the scales along with a freezer-full of yellowfin tuna. Fishing for the [...]
June 11, 2016; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear For 20 years, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic has been a family affair. The tournament committee and volunteers have pitched in to help organize the event, write the rules, sell merchandise, man the weigh scales, haul fish and generally do whatever it takes to stage [...]
June 10, 2016; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear When four out of the first six fish weighed for the 2016 Classic all top the previous year’s overall category winners, it’s not just a good start. It’s a red hot, three alarm, burnt to the crisp sizzler and the 80 boats still fishing have nearly [...]
June 9, 2016; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear With turbo-chargers wound up, tanks full and gear rigged, the 81 boats competing in the 2016 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic are churning through the Gulf right now. All are heading towards that sweet spot where the prize-winning blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and other game fish [...]
June 8, 2016; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear The 2016 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic kicked off with a spicy flair Tuesday evening as teams and sponsors enjoyed boiled cajun crawdads, fried fish and shrimp cooked by Louisiana Fish Fry Products and washed down by cold Miller Lite and Coors Lite beers. It didn’t [...]
June 8, 2015; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear Eighteen-year-old Katie Gonsoulin and her team aboard Done Deal were the big winners of the 2015 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic after weighing the largest blue marlin, a 587.3-pounder, late Saturday evening. The crew took home a check for $236,050 after the Sunday morning awards ceremony [...]
June 7, 2015; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear Two times is the now the charm. For the second year in a row, the top blue marlin in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic was captured by a lady angler. Eighteen-year-old Katie Gonsoulin of Houma, Louisiana, outlasted a 587.3-pound blue marlin after a fight lasting [...]
June 6, 2015; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear With only hours of fishing remaining in the 2015 Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Marlin Classic, anticipation grows by the minute. Reports of a strong bite Thursday afternoon and throughout the day Friday show a tally of 20 billfish released so far. Five boats have boated blue [...]
April 30, 2013; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear Long before the fleet of sport-fishing yachts motor offshore in search of winning fish, the docks at Biloxi’s Point Cadet Marina are a flurry of activity. Reels are spooled, drags tested, hooks sharpened and provisions loaded aboard. Amid the hustle and bustle a hard-working crew delivers [...]
