Some Maryland anglers were definitely the top dogs at a North Carolina fishing tournament Sunday.
The winners of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament caught a 914-pound blue marlin Saturday night to set a tournament record, WCTI reported.
The crew of "Top Dog" boated the massive marlin at 8:40 p.m. Saturday. The previous record was set in 2000 when the crew of "Summertime Blues" caught an 831-pounder, the television station reported.
According to the International Game Fish Association, the world record catch for blue marlin -- all tackle -- is 1,402 pounds, set Feb. 29, 1992, near Vittoria, Brazil.
The "Top Dog" crew was ecstatic after a six-hour battle to land the marlin.
"This has been my dream my whole life and I'm doing it right now. It truly is a dream come true," crew member Phillip "Moonpie" Williams told WJZ.
It was an emotional day for "Top Dog" owner Todd Dickerson. Catching the big fish on Father's Day weekend was a tribute to his father, who died four months ago, WJZ reported.
“He started me fishing in Ocean City, Maryland, for the White Marlin Open and all those tournaments,” Dickerson told the television station. “If you don’t believe there’s somebody upstairs keeping an eye on you, I mean this is believing right here. I’d give anything to have him here right now.”
About the Author
