Orange Beach Billfish Classic Has Some BIG ONES

The winning catch is over 776lbs!

The Orange Beach Billfish Classic is underway at the Wharf this weekend. Over 40 participants have made their way into the gulf and several amazing marlins have been reported. You can view some of the recent catches below and visit the Wharf as the boat arrive for the weigh-in each evening.

The Orange Beach Billfish Classic was formed in 1996 for the express purpose of providing financial support for organizations that speak effectively for recreational fishermen. The OBBC quickly became a top event on the Gulf Coast and serves as a major fundraiser for The Billfish Foundation. Since it's inception the OBBC has donated over $730,000.00 to TBF and other qualified conservation organizations.

The OBBC includes tuna, wahoo and dolphin (mahi) in it's optional cash categories but is primarily a blue marlin tournament and traditionally attracts first rate, competitive fishing teams with a passion for sportfishing from across the Gulf of Mexico. Prize money, not including optional cash categories, pays out to landed blue marlin and catch and release billfish.

UPDATE: FINAL RESULTS

The 2023 tournament saw intense competition, with anglers vying for the honor of landing the heaviest catch in several categories. In the Blue Marlin division, the top spot was secured by Brian Stover on the Mollie, with an impressive 776.4 lb catch. Joey DiFatta on the Miss Mary and Travis Dorland on the Reel Fire clinched the second and third spots with 548.6 lb and 528.4 lb catches respectively.

The Catch and Release category saw Briar Patch securing the first position, followed by Relentless Pursuit and Southern Charm. In the Tuna division, Charlie Thomas on Fins Up took the lead with a 148 lb catch. The second and third spots went to Tanner Yancey on Miss Ma'am and Lori McDowell on Lifeline, with catches weighing 143.2 lb and 127.6 lb, respectively.

The Wahoo category was led by Peter Martin on the Cotton Patch with a 24.4 lb catch. In the Dolphin category, Daniel Cater on the Miss Mary clinched the first spot with a 25.2 lb catch, followed by Todd Rosetti on Perseverance with a 20.2 lb catch.

The tournament also celebrated the achievements of individual anglers. The Top Lady Angler title was awarded to Mackenzie Davis on the Southern Charm, while the Junior Angler award went to Clark Adams on the Gunnslinger.

Blue Marlin:

1st- 776.4 lbs. Mollie- Angler Brian Stover

2nd- 548.6 lbs. Miss Mary- Angler Joey DiFatta

3rd- 528.4 lbs. Reel Fire- Travis Dorland

Catch and Release:

1st- Briar Patch

2nd- Relentless Pursuit

3rd- Southern Charm

Tuna:

1st- 148 lbs. Fins Up- Angler Charlie Thomas

2nd- 143.2 lbs. Miss Ma'am- Angler Tanner Yancey

3rd- 127.6 lbs. Lifeline- Angler Lori McDowell

Wahoo:

1st - 24.4 lbs. Cotton Patch – Angler Peter Martin

Dolphin:

1st- 25.2lbs. Miss Mary- Angler Daniel Cater

2nd- 20.2 lbs. Perseverance- Angler Todd Rosetti

Top Lady Angler

Mackenzie Davis on the Southern Charm

Junior Angler:

Clark Adams on the Gunnslinger

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