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20th Annual Blue Marlin Classic descends upon Baytowne Marina

seth stringer, northwest florida daily news
·2 min read

SANDESTIN — Will anyone top Cotton Patch's 899.6 pound marlin delivered to the Baytowne Marina weight scales in 2015?

That's the biggest headline revolving around the 20th Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, which sets sail Thursday and runs through Saturday with the star attraction coming at the weight scales inside of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Wes Long’s winning 660.4 pound blue marlin is pulled up the ramp at the scale on the second weigh in day of the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Baytown Marina.
Wes Long’s winning 660.4 pound blue marlin is pulled up the ramp at the scale on the second weigh in day of the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Baytown Marina.

Those scales will be active Friday and Saturday evening from 4-8 p.m., where everything from blue and white marlin, sailfish, spearfish, dolphin, wahoo and blackfin, yellowfin and bigeye tuna will be weighed. Entrance is free with vendors, live music, food and drinks and fireworks accenting the tournament.

As of Wednesday, 86 boats were registered and could climb higher to push the prize money above $2 million for an event that attracts multimillion dollar boats from across the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast competing in the third leg of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship Series.

The Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship Series consists of the top four most competitive and prestigious billfish tournaments in the Gulf of Mexico. The lineup features the Orange Beach Billfish Classic in the kickoff spot, followed by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic in Biloxi. After Sandestin for the ECBC, the Series then comes full circle for the Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf at The Wharf Entertainment Complex in Orange Beach, Alabama.

In addition to the blue marlin weight division, smaller blues, white marlin, sailfish and spearfish that are successfully released earn points in the competitive release division. Yellowfin, bigeye and blackfin tuna, wahoo and dolphin are scored one point per pound.

Fishing boats make their way out of Destin's East Pass at the start of the 2020 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic.
Fishing boats make their way out of Destin's East Pass at the start of the 2020 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic.

Last year's prize package totaled 1,976,257.76 with a 681-pound marlin landing first. With this year's fishing conditions setting up perfectly, those totals could be blown out of the water.

Come the weekend, word will spread of blue marlin catches and The Village of Baytowne Wharf will be a sight to behold. Another sight to behold will be from the Destin Pass Bridge on Thursday when boats leave the marina around 11 a.m. and speed into open waters.

Fishing boats make their way under the Marler Bridge and out Destin's East Pass at the start of the 2020 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic.
Fishing boats make their way under the Marler Bridge and out Destin's East Pass at the start of the 2020 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic.

Fireworks will conclude Friday and Saturday night at 9 p.m., and the awards presentation will take place Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Baytowne Conference Center.

Follow sports editor Seth Stringer on twitter at @SethSnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: 20th Annual Blue Marlin Classic descends upon Baytowne Marina