Orange Beach Billfish Classic Has Some BIG ONES

News Staff • May 20, 2023

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

  • Billfish Classis Winner Orange Beach

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • fishing in orange beach

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • gulf shores news

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • news in gulf shores

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • port at zekes

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • saunders marine gulf shores

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • yabbas snack shack

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • freedom boat club orange beach

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • buzzcatz coffee

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Recent Posts

Gulf Shores sporting news
By Ken Cooper April 27, 2025
When it comes to sports there are a few actions that have become the pinnacle in each genre. There is the hole in one in gulf, the home run in baseball and the perfect fly-cast in fishing. Thousands of books have written and even an Academy Award winning movie focuses on the sport of fly fishing.
Gulf Shores Kayak News
By News Staff April 27, 2025
Each year the Orange Beach Full Moon Paddles for kayakers fills up it's registration early. 'Night Paddles' are a very peaceful cruise cruise through the local waters. If you have not experienced the tranquility it is advised to do these with professional groups.
Gulf Shores event News
By News Staff April 27, 2025
We have all heard some version of the "In My Day" stories, right? Your parents or grandparents had to walk for miles to school, uphill, in a blizzard or in pouring-down rain to get to school ... both ways! Of course, we don’t advocate children walking for miles in extreme conditions but a little exercise each day doesn’t hurt.
Show More