Crew member William Johnson of ‘Hatter-Done’ brought in a 488-pound blue marlin. Photo provided by Chris Johnson.

The 62nd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament has a record-breaking purse of $3,343,975. Taking place from June 5-13, 2020 in Morehead City, the tournament is among the largest and oldest sport fishing tournaments in the country. The tournament states 205 boats are participating in this event with the largest blue netting a $1.14 million dollar prize, while the first one boated over 500 pounds gets $552,500.

Kinston native and crew member William Johnson of ‘Hatter-Done’ brought in a 488-pound blue marlin late Monday afternoon. The catch was twelve pounds short of the purse for being the first to bring in a big blue over 500 pounds.

“We are beyond excited for him and the crew of Hatter-Done and so proud of how hard he has worked to get this opportunity.” said Chris Johnson, brother of William Johnson. 

Other notable catches of the tournament include ‘Tail Gunner’ with a blue marlin less than 75 minutes after the start of the tournament. ‘Predator’ brought in a 494-pound blue marlin just six pounds short of winning $552,500. ‘Dancin’ Outlaw’ boated a marlin it weighed 470.4-pounds. Michael Jordan’s boat brought in a 442.3-pound big blue.

Local business, Big Game Brewery took to Facebook to share their pride in Johnson’s catch, “Have to take a second and brag on the Big Game Brewing family’s favorite pirate William Johnson! He was fishing with the Hatter-Done crew in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. They brought in the first legal blue marlin of the tournament at 488.1 lbs.”