MARLIN MAGAZINE /  JULY 31, 2025

Legends of the Gulf: The Visionaries Who Built the Sport-Fishing Legacy of America’s Gulf Coast

A group of pioneers turned the Gulf Coast into one of the world’s most iconic bluewater tournament destinations

MARLIN MAGAZINE /  JUNE 20, 2025

Big blues, a strong fleet, and a $1.78 million payout define the 28th running of this prestigious Gulf Coast tournament

TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI  /  JUNE 20, 2025

More than 100 of the largest recreational fishing boats in the world will gather in Biloxi from June 2-8 to compete in the 28th annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, one of the largest and richest fishing events on the Gulf Coast.

TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI  /  JUNE 20, 2025

More than 100 of the largest recreational fishing boats in the world will gather in Biloxi from June 2-8 to compete in the 28th annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, one of the largest and richest fishing events on the Gulf Coast.

MARLIN MAGAZINE /  JUNE 20, 2024

81 Teams Compete for $1.5 Million at Annual Biloxi Event; Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry Among Participants

WLOX / JUNE 5, 2024

The 27th Annual Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is set for this weekend at the Point Cadet Marina. People come from all over for the chance to reel in some of the largest fish you’ll ever see.

IN THE BITE / FEB 2024

Capt. Ken Blackman’s eyes were glued to the screen of his Omni 360 sonar on the 66 Viking, C-Student. It was the final day of fishing in the 2021 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, and of over 100 boats and 460 anglers, the team sat skunked on the scoreboard...

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI LIVING / SEPT 2023

Situated between Florida and the fabled fishing waters off the Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana, the Mississippi Coast stayed in the shadows of big-game fishing. That changed in 1997...

WLOX / JUNE  2023

Bill Snyder joins us live from Biloxi where the 25th Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is gearing up.

OUR MISSISSIPPI HOME / JUNE  2023

The sun was out, and so were the people this weekend at the Point Cadet Marina behind the Golden Nugget Casino. Families came out in mass Saturday afternoon to enjoy the sunshine and see the large fish landed by the competitors in the 2021 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. 

IN THE BITE / DEC  2022

As the sixth leg of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Gulf, attracting elite sportfishing teams to the Golden Nugget Casino & Hotel every June. With festivities headquartered at the Point Cadet Marina, the 2020 event set a new Gulf record, with an astonishing 101 billfish released during two-and-a-half days of fishing. 

SUN HERALD / JUNE  2022

Big fish and even bigger payouts are at stake in the 2022 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. Beginning Thursday, boats will leave the docks at Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi at 11 a.m. in search of marlin, tuna, blue wahoo and dolphinfish.

WLOX / JUNE  2022

The 26th Annual Gulf Coast Billfish Classic features $1.3 million in prize money at stake for anglers from all over the region, including here in Biloxi.

OUR MISSISSIPPI HOME / JUNE  2022

Now with national network television exposure, the 2022 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic (MGCBC) is shaping up to be one of the best fishing championships in America.

Excitement for the biggest championship on the Mississippi Gulf Coast will be televised, featuring the Catch & Release portion of the event. Tune in to CBS on Saturday, June 11 from 7 a.m.-to 9 a.m.

MARLIN MAGAZINE / MAY 2022

From the Florida Panhandle to coastal East Texas, superb fishing can be found throughout Interstate 10's historic winding route

MARLIN MAGAZINE / APRIL 2022

The founder of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic discusses 25 years of competition, and more

LOUISIANA SPORTSMAN / JULY 2021

It had been a 5-hour fight in stand-up gear, a grueling battle that had tested the resolve of every man on the boat, and Donnie Jackson, Jr., a 32-year-old charter captain from Metairie, panted on-deck as he looked down at the massive, 309.9-pound swordfish he’d just landed on June 12, the final day of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, 400 miles west of Biloxi...

OUR MISSISSIPPI HOME / JUNE 2021

The sun was out and so were the people this weekend at the Point Cadet Marina behind the Golden Nugget Casino. Families came out in mass Saturday afternoon to enjoy the sunshine and see the large fish landed by the competitors in the 2021 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. 

PENSACOLA FISHING FORUM / JUNE 2021

In resounding fashion, It Just Takes Time, led by owner/angler Nick Pratt and Captain Chris Hood, took top honors and the biggest payout in the 2021 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. The 72 Viking, based in Orange Beach, Alabama, boated a blue marlin weighing 793 pounds to win $418,775, a sizable chunk of the overall $2 million-plus in prize money...

WLOX / JUNE 2021

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) -As the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic wraps up three blue marlins made it back to Point Cadet Marina.

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The Boat CE and Scotty Cooper brought in the first marlin Friday, it weighed in at 548.6 pounds.

WLOX / JUNE 2021

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - One of south Mississippi’s biggest fishing tournaments has officially begun. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic’s ceremonial send-off drew hundreds to the water’s edge. 

BIG BEND FISHING / JUNE 2020

Despite adverse conditions brought on by the corona pandemic and a tropical storm, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic pulled off its 24th edition with panache and fireworks. The 57-boat fleet set a new Gulf of Mexico record with an incredible 101 billfish released during 2.5 days of fishing. 

COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE / JUNE 2020

Despite adverse conditions brought on by the corona pandemic and a tropical storm, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic pulled off its 24th edition with panache and fireworks. The 57-boat fleet set a new Gulf of Mexico record with an incredible 101 billfish released during 2.5 days of fishing. 

IN THE BITE / JUNE 2020

two top winners, It Just Takes Time for a 570.2-pound blue, and Born2Run, with the top release score of 10 blue marlin (6,000 points) to its credit.

It Just Takes Time owner/angler Nick Pratt needed about 80 minutes to land the winning marlin. It was weighed Friday night. That fish took first-place honors in the tournament award, crew and several optional marlin categories. The 72 Viking from Orange Beach, with Capt. Chris Hood at the helm, won $213,600. Pratt was asked how the crew felt while waiting on the outcome Saturday.

MARLIN MAGAZINE/ AUGUST 2019

From the biggest marlin and heftiest paydays to the best parties and the toughest competition, there’s a billfish tournament to suit just about anyone

IN THE BITE / JUNE 2019

Relentless Pursuit, a 95 Jim Smith owned by Dennis Pastentine, won the top honors in the 2019 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, which concluded Sunday evening at the Point Cadet Marina. Led by Capt. Robert Doggett, anglers Josh Jones and Mike Akue and the team scored 1,800 points in the billfish catch and release division to take the overall tournament award.

MARLIN MAGAZINE / MARCH 2019

Successful events are highly orchestrated team efforts

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To many participants — as well as casual observers — those are the two main criteria by which successful big-game tournaments are judged. But there are other benchmarks aside from 500-pound marlin and six- or even seven-figure payouts...

COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE / SEPT 2018

In a proactive move to help conserve marlin populations and enhance the sport, the tournament committee for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic today announced it is raising the minimum length to boat a qualifying blue marlin to 110 inches for the 2019 tournament...

THE HULL TRUTH / JUNE 2018

After a pursuit lasting more than a decade, Team Reel Addiction finally topped the field of 117 boats to win the 2018 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. 

MISSISSIPPI SPORTSMAN / MAY 2018

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic will be held in Biloxi in June, with a payout expected to top $2.3 million.

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Biloxi will be in the world’s billfishing spotlight June 4-10 when the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is held out of the Golden Nugget Casino and neighboring Point Cadet Harbor...

DAILY MOTION / DEC 2017

It's tough to top the Mississippi Gulf Coast when it comes to fishing, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic puts the area on center stage each...

BOAT INTERNATIONAL / DEC 2017

A superyacht is a great way to explore some of the best places in the world to fish, but what if you're the competitive type? To help you choose your next fishing destination, Dave Ferrell shares his favourite billfish tournaments from around the world...

POST & COURIER / JUNE 2017

A Mount Pleasant angler has left his mark on the state of Mississippi.

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Scott Cothran broke the Mississippi state record for largest swordfish when he landed a 242-pound, 8.64-ounce fish in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic held in Biloxi. The previous state record was a 75-pound swordfish caught in 2007.

MARLIN MAGAZINE / JUNE 2017

Biloxi’s biggest sport-fishing tournament sets new records this year

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The 2017 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic was a record-setter in several ways. It hosted the largest participating fleet in the event’s 22-year history at 120 boats...

THE DESTIN LOG / JUNE 2017

Not one, two or even three, but five blue marlin in a weekend put the crew aboard the Destin-based Mollie with Capt. Jeff Shoults in the big money in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic in Biloxi, Mississippi, last weekend.

MARLIN MAGAZINE / JUNE 2017

Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic tops $2 million in cash purse

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Thanks in part to a rebounding economy and a beautiful weather forecast, the 2017 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic hosted a record fleet of 120 teams, fishing out of Biloxi, Mississippi, for a tournament record of more than $2 million in total prize money. 

MISSISSIPPI SPORTSMAN / JUNE 2017

Typical scene from the Saturday night weigh-ins of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic: A happy angler with a giant blue marlin. The 21st MGCBC is June 5-11 at Biloxi. The weigh-ins at Point Cadet Harbor June 9-10 are free to the public.

SUN HERALD / FEB 2017

Clint Herring stands beside the 633-pound blue marlin that he and the crew of the Cotton Patch brought in on June 10, 2016, at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic fishing tournament.

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MARLIN MAGAZINE / JAN 2017

Popular tournament sets the standard in the Gulf of Mexico for eligible marlin

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The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic has increased the minimum length requirement for qualifying blue marlin in the event to 107 inches from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail...

MARLIN MAGAZINE / JULY 2016

Consistency proves to be their key to success in the Gulf of Mexico

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The Breathe Easy team put together an amazingly consistent season of tournament fishing this year on the highly competitive Gulf of Mexico billfish circuit, capping their year with a Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship...

SUN HERALD / JUNE 2016

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST BILLFISH CLASSIC David Pippin of the Boat Miss Orleans set a Blue Marlin state record at the 1997 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic.

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FIN & FIELD / MAY 2016

Starting June 6th more than 70 boats will compete for more than $1.5M in prize money at the 20th anniversary of The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. The tournament is regarded as the premier billfish tournament in the Gulf of Mexico.

MARLIN MAGAZINE / MAY 2016

A preview of the boats to watch in the upcoming Gulf of Mexico tournament swing

GAME & FISH / JUNE 2015

BILOXI, Miss. – Teenager Katie Gonsoulin and her team aboard Done Deal were the big winners of the 2015 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic after weighing the largest blue marlin, a 587.3-pounder, late Saturday evening. 

MISSISSIPPI SPORTSMAN / JUNE 2015

Houma girl’s 587.3-pound blue marlin helps boat earn $236,050

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A Louisiana woman reeled in the biggest prize in the 2015 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic tournament in Biloxi, catching a weekend-best 587.3-pound blue marlin to take a big bite out of the event’s $1.14 million purse.

THE CLARION LEDGER  / JUNE 2015

A 106-pound teenage girl won the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic and $236,000 total prize money with a blue marlin weighing almost 600 pounds.

Katie Gonsoulin, 18, of Houma, Louisiana, battled the marlin for 3 hours and 40 minutes before landing the 587.3-pound fish. According to MGCBC's Bobby Carter, she hooked the fish in the Green Canyon area south of Grand Isle, Louisiana. It was caught using a live blackfin tuna for bait.

MISSISSIPPI SPORTSMAN  / JUNE 2015

Typical scene from the Saturday night weigh-ins of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic: A happy angler with a giant blue marlin. The 21st MGCBC is June 5-11 at Biloxi. The weigh-ins at Point Cadet Harbor June 9-10 are free to the public.
 

The eyes of the big game sport fishing world will be on Biloxi June 5-11 as the 21st Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic returns to the Golden Nugget Casino and the neighboring Point Cadet Marine

BD OUTDOORS / JUNE 2014

Three big blue marlin dominated the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic leader board as the 2014 event drew to a close Sunday. But in the end, it was the first one weighed that earned the biggest share of the overall $1.1 million in prize money.

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Angler Deb Hebert, fishing aboard Joe Hudson‘s 68 Hatteras Iona Louise, landed a 843.7-pound blue marlin on Friday after a fight lasting more than three hours. It turned out to be the largest marlin ever caught by a lady angler in Classic history and earned Hebert the Lady Angler trophy. 

OUTDOOR HUB / JUNE 2014

Deb Hebert has been involved in life-or-death situations and weathered the fury of hurricanes, but she has seldom been in a situation as exhilarating or draining as the one she faced during the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic (MCGBC).

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Hebert, an emergency room doctor and lieutenant colonel who has flown with the Keesler Air Force Base’s famed Hurricane Hunters, hooked into the first blue marlin of her two-year fishing career on the Iona Louise, the boat owned by Joe Hudson, her boyfriend, based out of Montgomery, Alabama.

FLORIDA SPORT FISHING / JUNE 2014

Biloxi, Mississippi – Three big blue marlin dominated the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic leader board as the 2014 event drew to a close Sunday. But in the end, it was the first one weighed that earned the biggest share of the overall $1.1 million in prize money.

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Angler Deb Hebert, fishing aboard Joe Hudson’s 68 Hatteras Iona Louise, landed a 843.7-pound blue marlin on Friday after a fight lasting more than three hours. It turned out to be the largest marlin ever caught by a lady angler in Classic history and earned Hebert the Lady Angler trophy.

MARLIN MAGAZINE / JUNE 2014

Three big blue marlin dominated the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic leaderboard this week as the 2014 event drew to a close. But in the end, it was the first one weighed that earned the biggest prize.

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Angler Deb Hebert, fishing aboard Joe Hudson’s 68 Hatteras Iona Louise, landed a 843.7-pound blue marlin on Friday after a fight lasting more than three hours. It turned out to be the largest marlin ever caught by a lady angler in Classic history and earned Hebert the Lady Angler trophy. 

GULF LIVE / JUNE 2014

Deb Hebert of Orange Beach, Ala., poses with the 843.7-pound blue marlin she landed Friday in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. (Al Jones / gulflive.com)

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BILOXI, Mississippi - The 2014 Mississippi Billfish Classic ended late Saturday at the Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi just like it started on Friday.

GULF LIVE / JUNE 2014

BILOXI, Mississippi -- The 2014 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic got off to a quick start Friday at the Point Cadet Marina behind the Golden Nugget casino.

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The field of 63 boats parted Biloxi Thursday for the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico and immediately reported several tagged and released billfish ranging from white marlin, to sailfish and blue marlin.

THE GULF CUP / MAY 2013

It will be a title worthy of its namesake. When fishing ends and all the scores are finally tabulated, the top boat in the 2013 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic will receive the Sonny Middleton Award. The new distinction was created in honor of Ralph “Sonny” Middleton, the owner of Dog River Marina and A&M Yacht Sales in Mobile, Alabama. Middleton is a tireless advocate for the sport-fishing community and conservation in the central Gulf.

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THE GULF CUP / MAY 2013

The 17th annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is less than two months away and the 2013 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Last year, the ever-popular blue water event paid out more than $1.1 million and the same plus more is expected to hold true this year out of the Isle Casino which is under transition to the Golden Nugget Casino, one of the giants in the gaming industry.

MARLIN MAGAZINE / JAN 2013

What started out as an inshore fishing location became home to one of the Gulf Coast’s biggest offshore tournaments. 

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Few destinations in the world can match the amenities and allure of Biloxi, Mississippi. Outstanding sport fishing for nearly every popular saltwater species and a host of entertainment options make this one of the most popular vacation spots in the Southern United States.

WLOX / JUNE 2013

The 17th Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic delayed its start Wednesday morning due to a tropical system.

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BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - The 17th Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic delayed its start Wednesday morning due to a tropical system located in the southeastern part of the Gulf of Mexico.