The 6th annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic (ECBC) at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, which took place June 24th-29th, once again broke Gulf Coast records—this year by handing out an incredible $1,536,850.00 in cash awards. Even more amazing, the weights of the top three blue marlin were separated by less than a pound!

The 60' Hatteras Up To It, captained by Jeremy Miles of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., took first place in the Blue Marlin Division with a 406.3 lb. blue marlin. The marlin, caught by Dave Perry, also of Fort Walton Beach, measured 106.5 inches. Perry, who brought in the first place tuna in 2007, took first place again in the Tuna Division with a 145.1 lb. yellowfin tuna. Overall, Up To It took home $437,158.33 in prize money.

And, in what we all agree must be some kind of record, the 2nd place marlin on C-Ya weighed in at 406.2 lbs. (106.0 inches) and 3rd place came in on Moveable Feast at 405.4 lbs. (103.0 inches).

The top dolphin, weighing in at 50.0 lbs., was caught by Jeremy Floden fishing aboard Shell Shock, a 48-foot Viking captained by Marc Wren. Aaron Aery, one of our younger anglers fishing aboard the 54-foot Bertram Smooth Finish, weighed in a 54.7 lb. wahoo for first place in that division.

Honey, a 60-foot Huckins captained by Ray Coleman won Top Release Team with one blue marlin and two white marlin releases. Sherry Polk, fishing aboard Share-E, a 48-foot Viking with Capt. Eddie Savoy, was the Top Lady Angler. Logan Spence, fishing aboard the 54-foot Bertram Contingency with Capt. Joe Hiett, was the Top Junior Angler.

Thirty-five billfish were released including 15 blue marlin, 15 white marlin and five sailfish. Overall, 60 gamefish were boated including 24 dolphin, 19 yellowfin tuna and 17 wahoo.

You can view complete tournament results at www.fishecbc.com/Local/news/2008/2008_Results.htm

"We are so excited to have set a new record in the Gulf Coast for cash award payouts," said Shawna Meisner, Tournament Director. "Each year this event gets better and better—I can't wait to see what next year brings!"

The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin donated 3,833 pounds of meatfish weighed from this year's tournament to Harvest House, a local food bank. The tournament also supports The Billfish Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the conservation and enhancement of the billfish population worldwide, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast by donating cash funds raised through raffles, auctions and other activities.

The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin was presented by Galati Yacht Sales and Viking Yachts.