Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic Raises the Blue Marlin Minimum Length to 110 Inches to Help Conserve Stocks September 10, 2018; Biloxi, Mississippi: In a proactive move to help conserve marlin populations and enhance the sport, the tournament committee for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic today announced it is raising the minimum length to [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
