Big Rock organizers hope return of in-person events brings excitement back to NC fishing tournament
Posted June 11, 2021 7:12 p.m. EDT
Updated June 12, 2021 8:23 a.m. EDT
Morehead City, N.C. — One of North Carolina’s biggest fishing tournaments is back in Morehead City this weekend, and it’s bringing some celebrities with it.
The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, which began Friday and runs through June 20, is anticipating a return of the crowds and energy that were missing during the pandemic.
“We’re just geared up and ready to go,” said Joy Bell, president of the annual tournament.
Last year’s tournament saw more boats competing than ever before, Bell said, but it was missing the component that makes the Big Rock special.
“I think the camaraderie of the tournament events was mainly what was missing,” she said.
Those events are returning this year, held in tents outside to promote social distancing.
The crowds were already gathering on Friday, a welcome sight for Morehead City business owners like John Foss, proprietor of the Taps and Tackle bar.
“This weekend can make or break your entire year,” Foss said, noting the tournament can bring in as much as 20 percent of his income for the year.
“You have a ton of travel boats that come in to fish the tournament, as well as all the local boats that congregate here in this area,” Foss said, as he stood near the docks.
One of those travel boats belongs to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and NBA great Michael Jordan, who planned to join the hunt for the biggest marlin off the coast this week. Jordan, who landed a major marlin last year, is expected to arrive on Sunday to try his luck in this year’s contest.
On top of the benefits to businesses, locals said the tournament was part of what made summer special on the Crystal Coast.
“People enjoy coming to visit with one another and see friends that they haven’t been able to see in a year,” Bell said.
“I’m looking forward to going fishing,” Foss said.
