DESTIN, FL June 27, 2006 – The Fourth Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin (ECBMC) was held at Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina June 20-25. Seventy-seven boats and 391 anglers from locations as far away as Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico competed for a record $1,030,900.00.

Big Adventure, a 60 ft. Bonner out of Orange Beach, AL captained by Jimmy Waller, swept the Marlin Categories with a 692.6-pound blue marlin. The marlin, caught by Sean McClellan of Orange Beach, AL, measured 121.5-inches and was the only qualifying marlin of the tournament. Big Adventure took home $371,181.67, an amount which exceeds the overall tournament purse awarded four years ago in the inaugural ECBMC.

“When we registered 77 teams and topped $1 million in cash awards, I knew it was going to be a great year,” said Shawna Meisner, tournament director. “But for the tournament to reach this milestone in only four years of existence is phenomenal.”

Forty-six billfish were released including 15 blue marlin, 29 white marlin and two sailfish, One hundred and two gamefish were caught: 53 dolphin, 20 yellowfin tuna and 29 wahoo. All of the fish weighed during the tournament were donated to Harvest House, a local food bank.

The top dolphin, 53.1 lbs., was caught by James Justice fishing aboard Fly By, a 74 ft. Viking captained by Marco Gaona, the top yellowfin tuna, 170.3 lbs., was caught by Dennis Pasentine fishing aboard his 60 ft. Hatteras First Choice and the top wahoo 89.5 lbs., was caught by Brad Cole fishing aboard the 58 ft. G&S Mollie with Capt. Jeff Shoults.

Reel Addiction, a 56 ft. Viking captained by Robert Davis was the top Release Team with three blue marlin releases. Tammy Jackson, fishing aboard Annie Girl, a 62 ft. Resmondo with Capt. Mike Rowell was the Top Lady Angler and Billy Blount III, fishing aboard the 82 ft. Hatteras Trader's Hill with his dad at the wheel was the Top Junior Angler.

In addition to donating meatfish to the Harvest House, the ECBMC supports The Billfish Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the conservation and enhancement of billfish populations worldwide, by donating cash funds raised through raffles, auctions and other activities.

The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin is presented by Galati Yacht Sales and Viking Yachts. Major sponsors include MarineMax, Bertram Yachts, MTU Detroit Diesel, Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison, Goldring Gulf Distributing, The Village of Baytowne Wharf and Sandestin Real Estate.

Photos
1: Big Adventure at the scales with their 692.6-pound blue marlin
2: Sean McClellan, angler on the Big Adventure
3: Big Adventure accepting their check for $371,181.67 at the Awards Presentation
4: Reel Addiction, 1st Place Release Team, at the Awards Presentation