Project Description
85 Boats
This year the Classic became a qualifying event for the World Billfish Series and the IGFA Invitational Rolex Tournament of Champions. The total purse increased to $700,000. Damon Chouest with his 572.1 lb. blue marlin joined his brother, Dino, with a back-to-back win for the boat “Freedom.” Dino won the classic in 1998. Five more blue marlin were brought to the scales, but the highlight of the tournament was another Mississippi State record breaker. A mammoth 837.1 lb. bluefin tuna was caught by Bob Struwe on the boat “Dreamin On.” There were 28 blue marlin, 9 white marlin, 1 sailfish, and 1 spearfish tagged and released.
Blue Marlin
First
Freedom – Damon Chouest – 572.1 lbs
Second
Sidewinder – Mike Garza – 479.9 lbs
Third
Golden Gaff – Bill Harrison – 452.5 lbs
Tuna
First
Dreamin On – Bob Struwe – 837.1 lbs
Second
Tinkerbell – Thurman Bell – 152.0 lbs
Third
Intruder – Anne Stokes – 138.1 lbs
Dolphin
First
Dixie Lee – Robert Howard – 78.9 lbs
Second
Expedition – Tip Cape – 44.8 lbs
Third
Mollie – Terry Bunn – 43.5 lbs
Wahoo
First
Bon Temp – Parke Berolzheimer – 78.9 lbs
Second
Bodacious – John Gray – 73.1 lbs
Third
Last Resort – Bill Abbott – 65.8 lbs