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Miramar Beach, Florida – The 22nd Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic (ECBC), one of the top big-game fishing contests in the world, gets underway June 19 and continues through June 23 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort®. Sandestin is the most visited Northwest Florida resort destination for vacationers, group and business travelers, families and adventurers. The ECBC is one of the highlights of the resort’s summer season.
“We are looking forward to our 22nd year of hosting our anglers, crews and guests,” says Tournament Director Jason Draughn. “Of course, none of this would be possible without all our wonderful sponsors, including South Walton, Pelagic, Galati Yacht Sales and MarineMax. We’re all set for another edition of high seas fun and excitement.”
Teams will be competing for more than two million dollars in cash and awards, with blue marlin as the top prize. To qualify for the weigh-in, blue marlin must be at least 110 inches long, measured from the tip of the fish’s lower jaw to the fork of the tail. The average winning blue marlin typically weighs 652 pounds or heavier.
In addition to the blue marlin weight category, smaller blues, white marlin, sailfish and spearfish that are successfully caught and released earn points in the competitive release division, verified by video footage. Yellowfin and bigeye tuna, wahoo and dolphin are scored one point per pound at the scales.
The ECBC attracts multi-million-dollar sport-fishing yachts from across the Southeastern United States and Gulf Coast region. Fishing begins after Thursday’s noon start from the Destin Pass and concludes Saturday afternoon. Eligible fish are weighed Friday and Saturday evenings at the Baytowne Marina. Viewing is free and open to the public. Additionally, the ECBC is a qualifying event in the Florida Panhandle Billfish Series, InTheBite’s Captain of the Year award and the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship.
Still accepting registrations, entries received before the early bird registration deadline of May 31, 2024 are eligible for the drawing to win $1,000, plus free dockage at the Baytowne Marina during tournament week. The tournament’s registration contact is Julia Brakhage at [email protected], 910-264-3947 or visit fishecbc.com.
Hancock Whitney Bank and Tito’s Handmade Vodka are sponsoring the ECBC Golf Scramble June 19, which is open to participants and sponsors. Advance registration is required and entry fees are cash only. To sign up, please visit fishecbc.com/scramble/.
The 2024 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic runs June 19-23 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. For registration, dockage, rules and schedule of events, visit fishecbc.com. Book now to get the best location and rates for the event weekend. Call 800-320-8115 or book online at sandestin.com. Use GROUP Code FISH24.
