June 8, 2014; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear Three big blue marlin dominated the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic leaderboard this week as the 2014 event drew to a close. But in the end, it was the first one weighed that earned the biggest share of the $1.1 million in prize money. Angler Deb [...]
June 7, 2014; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear Patience, a 52 Hatteras based in Orange Beach, Alabama, was aptly named. The boat rocked gently in its slip for a few hours Saturday before the scales officially opened at the 2014 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic at 3 p.m. But curiosity finally won out and [...]
June 6, 2014; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear An honest angler will admit that luck is a factor in landing a truly big fish. But when more $1 million in total prize money is on the line you’d better have skill as well. Both came into play today as 106-pound Deb Hebert whipped a [...]
June 6, 2014; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear When the thousands of spectators gather this afternoon to watch a big blue marlin being weighed most won’t realize all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. But a million-dollar tournament like the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is no small undertaking and dozens [...]
June 5, 2014; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear Against a backdrop of bluebird skies and steamy summer temperatures the fleet of 53 sportfishers motored away from the Point Cadet Marina this morning and into the aqua blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Their quest? Powerful blue marlin and other game fish that are [...]
June 4, 2014; Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear Greek mythology and big-game fishing are not often synonymous. But an unusual incident at the start of this year’s Classic certainly lends credence to a modern connection. According to the legend the phoenix, a long-lived and colorful bird, dies by raging fire only to be resurrected [...]
By Capt. Dave Lear Tick, tock. Tick, tock. The final countdown is on for the 2014 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, which officially begins Tuesday, June 3. The Dock Party/Seafood Jambalaya at 6 p.m. at the Point Cadet Marina is sponsored by F.E.B. Distributing, Coors Light, Gorenflo’s, Louisiana Fish Fry Products and Gosling’s Black Seal [...]
May 2, 2014 By Capt. Dave Lear There’s no shortage of excitement during tournament week at the Classic. With more than one million dollars in prize money at stake and some of the best fishing teams in the world showcasing their talents, it truly is a spectacle to behold. For starters more than a billion [...]
April 14, 2014 By Capt. Dave Lear It takes skill, timing, coordination and being in the right spot at the right time to seriously compete in a major billfish tournament. Having a little bit of luck on your side certainly doesn’t hurt either. All those factors came into play for Team Breathe Reel Deep last year, as [...]
2013 1st Place Blue Marlin | Photo by Alaric Lambert June 11, 2013, Biloxi, Mississippi: By Capt. Dave Lear Mother Nature can be formidable at times, but even she couldn’t put a damper on the 2013 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. A total of 52 boats competed in spite of the lingering effects [...]