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The 2024 Bay Point Billfish Open concluded with a record-breaking 80 boats competing for a share of $1,539,150 in prize money. Despite choppy seas that delayed the start, the event saw intense competition and quality fish at the scales.
In the blue marlin division, the 80-foot Viking Wynsong, captained by Allen Staples with angler Reese Johnson, landed the winning blue marlin weighing 567.4 pounds, earning $289,320. The Viking 60, Jolene, captained by Drew Rhonehouse with angler Clay Adams, secured second place with a 514.6-pound blue marlin, taking home $167,280. Capt. Jordan Hutchison and the Viking 68, Done Pickin’, with angler Kyle Smith, came in third with a 463.3-pound blue marlin, winning $153,675.
The catch and release division was dominated by the Viking 72 Team Supreme, captained by Chase Lake. The team released five blue marlin, a white marlin and a sailfish, totaling 3,350 release points and earning $153,675. The second-place trophy went to the Hatteras 63 Southern Charm/All-In, captained by Landon Bell, who released four blue marlin, scoring 2,400 points and winning $65,205. Capt. Adam McGugin and the 64-foot Winter, Home Made, secured third place with three blue marlin and a white marlin, amassing 2,000 points and taking home $27,270.
In the Gamefish Division, Hey Jack won first place in the wahoo category with angler Strother Allen’s 69.9-pound catch, earning $28,800. Rising Sons, captained by Cricket Crochet, landed a 181.8-pound yellowfin tuna, securing first place in the tuna category and earning $128,025. In the dolphin category, Breathe Easy, captained by Patrick Ivie with angler Craig Smith, caught a 41.8-pound dolphin, earning $45,000.
Special awards included top lady angler, which went to Jaselyn Berthelot of Rising Sons for her blue marlin release and 181.8-pound tuna, and top junior angler, awarded to Liam O’Brien of Panhandler for his blue marlin release. The Tommy Browning trophy for top captain was presented to Allen Staples of Wynsong.
The non-sonar release prize went to Ellie B and Capt. Jeremy Mullis with two blue marlin, while the non-sonar heaviest fish prize was claimed by Intense, with Josh Collier’s 51.4-pound tuna.
The 2024 Bay Point Billfish Open set new records in both participation and prize money distribution, while achieving a 96 percent release rate with 73 billfish released, including 45 blue marlin, 16 white marlin and 12 sailfish.
