1999 Classic

85 Boats
            This year the Classic became a qualifying event for the World Billfish Series and the IGFA Invitational Rolex Tournament of Champions.  The total purse increased to $700,000.  Damon Chouest with his 572.1 lb. blue marlin joined his brother, Dino, with a back-to-back win for the boat “Freedom.”  Dino won the classic in 1998.  Five more blue marlin were brought to the scales, but the highlight of the tournament was another Mississippi State record breaker.  A mammoth 837.1 lb. bluefin tuna was caught by Bob Struwe on the boat “Dreamin On.”  There were 28 blue marlin, 9 white marlin, 1 sailfish, and 1 spearfish tagged and released.

Blue Marlin

First              
Freedom - Damon Chouest - 572.1 lbs         

Second          
Sidewinder - Mike Garza  - 479.9 lbs

Third            
Golden Gaff - Bill Harrison - 452.5 lbs  

 

Tuna

First              
Dreamin On - Bob Struwe - 837.1 lbs    

Second          
Tinkerbell - Thurman Bell - 152.0 lbs    

Third            
Intruder - Anne Stokes - 138.1 lbs       

 

Dolphin

First              
Dixie Lee - Robert Howard - 78.9 lbs

Second          
Expedition - Tip Cape - 44.8 lbs       

Third            
Mollie - Terry Bunn - 43.5 lbs                               

Wahoo

First              
Bon Temp - Parke Berolzheimer - 78.9 lbs             

Second          
Bodacious - John Gray - 73.1 lbs       

Third            
Last Resort - Bill Abbott - 65.8 lbs