60 Hatteras sets record at Emerald Coast Classic
July 13th, 2009
The 7th Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic (ECBC) saw 67 boats depart from Baytowne Marina for the highest paying tournament on the Gulf Coast with nearly $1.3 million in prizes awarded. The competition was fierce for this event that took place at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort from June 16th-21st and the bite was on with 37 billfish released overall.
For us at Gulf Coast Hatteras, it was a tremendous victory to see angler Chip Temple land his first blue marlin, after an 8-hour struggle aboard the 60 Hatteras Jasper Time with Captain Tommy Braden at the helm. Not only was this Chip’s first blue, he also managed to set a new tournament record of 714.7 pounds for his 124-inch marlin. For Captain Braden, it was a sweet return to the weigh scale from last year when he logged the third place marlin in the tournament. Among the other top winners was the 60 Hatteras First Choice with Captain Mike Roberto who took first and third place tuna with a 171.1-pound and 154.7-pound yellowfin. A Work Of Art, based out of Orange Beach, AL, took first place tag & release with 2 blue marlin and 1 white marlin, while the 60 Hatteras Life is Good came in second with 2 blue marlin released.
The ECBC does more than bring together owners and anglers, it also shares its successes with the community. This year, more than 5,000 pounds of fish from the tournament were donated to the Harvest House food bank while financial contributions were made to The Billfish Foundation, which works for the conservation and maintenance of the billfish, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast.
We want to congratulate all the tournaments winners. GCH is proud to be a part of this tournament and we look forward to seeing even more competitors on the water next year. For more information on this fantastic event visit www.fishecbc.com.
