365.2-Pound Marlin Tops 43rd Annual Pensacola International

The 43-annual Pensacola International Billfish Tournament wrapped up on Sunday, and the crew of the Friction Course, a 36-foot Yellowfin center console, took top honors as tournament champions.

Brandon Myers of the Friction Course brought a 265.2-pound blue marlin to the scales to take the top award–a nice prize of $6,200.

Friction Course Captain Ryan Long took the honors of Tournament Top Captain, and his mate Thomas Cornelison was named top mate. Together, the crew took top boat honors for the tournament and won second place in the tournament’s small boat category.

Winners in the dolphin division were: 1. Dale Artigue, Relentless Pursuit, 47.6 lbs; 2. Chapman Cook, Boodah 35.0 lbs; 3. Jennifer Cobb, Privateer, 33.0 lbs. Artigue’s winning fish scored a $2,480 prize.

Winners in the Wahoo division were: 1. Scott Lawrence, Double Down, 58.56 lbs; 2. Laurie McVay, Reel Addiction, 52.8 lbs; 3.Stock Blackburn, Reel Deep, 45.0 lbs. Lawrence’s wahoo earned him $2,480.

Tuna winners were: 1. Laurie McVay, Reel Addiction, 149.2 lbs; 2. Jack Crosby, Pool Shark, 114.2 lbs; 3. Steve Burch, Invictus, 109.6 lbs. McVay’s tuna earned her $2,480 in addition to her $1,550 for her second place wahoo.

Small boat division winners were the crew of the Boy Dog, who took home $5,000.

Iona Louise Peggy Hudson took home $3,100 for her top catch and release and was named the tournament’s top lady angler.

For more information about the Pensacola International Billfish Tournament, visit their web page at http://www.pbgfc.com/international-billfish/