The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is officially underway in eastern North Carolina. The 62nd annual tournament in Morehead City looks different this year as organizers are promoting social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic. Due to these guidelines, the tournament is being livestreamed on Facebook and can be seen below: Hatter-Done boated a blue marlin that weighed-in at 488 pounds. Hatter-Done boated a blue marlin that weighed-in at 488 pounds.

The Big Rock Fishing Tournament will look a little different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Officials say social distancing restrictions will prevent them from setting up bleachers to view the weigh-ins, and police will block streets to monitor the number of people in the area. A jumbotron will also be available to view the weigh-ins. Due to the forecast for Saturday, officials say participants in the Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament can fish either Saturday or Sunday.

While the Big Rock Tournament will continue as scheduled, organizers are making arrangements for the fishing tournament in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The annual tournament will be held June 5-13, and organizers say virtual weigh-ins will be available to help encourage social distancing.

It was an almost full day of fishing for the participants at the 61st annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. In the end, it looks like just one boat may have landed a winner. Big Rock officials say 172 boats were on the water for the fifth day of the event. While there was lots of activity with fish hooked and released, only one boat has indicated it had a blue marlin and was returning to the dock to have it weighed.

Everyone looks forward to The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, including businesses in and around Morehead City. Fabian Botta, co-owner of the Ruddy Duck Tavern in Morehead City, says he sees about a 25% increase in patronage every day during the week of The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. CLICK HERE to see how Thursday went at the tournament. “We start seeing a lot more business than we normally would see, especially during odd times, like between three and six o’clock,” Botta said.

Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Day 4: One boat hits water, releases blue late. Wednesday, bad weather limited the number of boats which hit the water to 37. Thursday, only one boat went out. MONDAY'S REPORT | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY. CLICK HERE to read how businesses benefit from Big Rock. 2019 Big Rock Tournament Leaderboard: Wolverine, 588. 9 pounds. Donna Mae, 569. 9 pounds. Sweetums, 545. 4 pounds. Fender Bender, 504. 8 pounds. Sea Striker, 500. 2 pounds. Big Tahuna, 482. 3 pounds.

Tuesday proved to be a busy day out on the water as captains and crew work to climb to the top of the Big Rock leaderboard in Morehead City. Two boats hooked blue marlins to be weighed. "Fender Bender" was the second boat of the day to the catch a blue marlin. They snagged theirs at 2:26 p. m. and it weighed just before 6 p. m. at 504. 8 pounds, which moved the team into fourth place. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MARLIN THAT ARE CAUGHT? Click here.

Anticipation built as boaters made their way back to the Big Rock Landing in Morehead City on Monday. We have a new leader at the end of Day 1 of the 61st annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Wolverine came in just after 5:30 p. m. with a blue marlin that measured 588. 9 pounds. It takes the top spot as the boats which caught blue marlin on Monday are now back at shore. "Sweetums" had the leaderboard lead but moved down to second place after the catch by "Wolverine".