Jarrett Bay Fleet Captures Over $6.5 Million of Record Big Rock Purse During Company’s 40th Anniversary Year
Twenty Jarrett Bay boats competed in the 68th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, led by Marlin Fever’s record-setting catch
As Jarrett Bay Boatworks celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, the company’s fleet of custom sportfishing boats delivered one of the most exciting and dominant performances in Big Rock tournament history. Jarrett Bay-built boats captured $6,553,188 of the tournament’s record-setting $9,038,225 purse at the 68th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, accounting for 72.5 percent of all prize money awarded during the six-day event.
The week was highlighted by the historic performance of the 63-foot Marlin Fever (Hull 51), which captured first place with a 919.9-pound blue marlin weighed on Tuesday, June 9. Caught by angler Connor Daniel and captained by Cameron Guthrie, the fish established a new Big Rock tournament record as the largest blue marlin ever weighed in the tournament’s 68-year history.
All-told, twenty-one Jarrett Bay sportfishing boats entered this year’s tournament, representing five decades of custom boatbuilding and a fleet that ranged from Sensation (Hull 1), launched in 1988, to Rebelette (Hull 65), delivered in 2023.
While Marlin Fever hoisted the tournament’s defining moment, Jarrett Bay boats posted winning performances across multiple categories throughout the week. Among the fleet’s top finishers:
- Marlin Fever (63′, Hull 51) – First Place, Blue Marlin Division, Fabulous Fisherman’s Division, and Super 20 Division
- Watertight (57′, Hull 14) – First Place, Overall Tuna Division and Daily Tuna
- Magic Moment (55′, Hull 27) – First Place, Overall Wahoo Division and Daily Wahoo
- Iron Leader (70′, Hull 48) – First Place, Daily Dolphin
- Developin’ Habits (53′, Hull 7) – First Place, Daily Blue Marlin Release
Congratulations are also due to Builder’s Choice (Hull 59), which brought an impressive 530-pound blue marlin to the scales on Wednesday, placing sixth. In many years, a fish of its caliber would contend for the tournament title, but during this historic week, it underscored just how extraordinary the fishing and competition was. Collectively, five Jarrett Bay boats reached the payout board across blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin, and release divisions, showcasing the versatility and competitive success of the fleet across multiple categories. The 2026 Big Rock attracted a near-record 278 boats and produced 331 billfish releases, including 126 Blue Marlin, 120 White Marlin, and 84 Sailfish.
For Jarrett Bay, the results carried special significance during a milestone year for the company. The presence of boats spanning from Hull No. 1 through Hull No. 65 highlighted the longevity of the boats and brand, plus the enduring relationships between Jarrett Bay, its owners, captains, fishing families, fans, and the Big Rock Tournament.
“As proud as I am of the numbers, what means the most to me is seeing a local boat, a local family, and a local captain accomplish something that people will be talking about for many years,” said Randy Ramsey, founder of Jarrett Bay Boatworks.
“To see them make Big Rock history with a record fish is incredibly special. As the Major Sponsor of the tournament and as a company celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, it’s hard to imagine a better week for Jarrett Bay! Watching so many of our owners and crews succeed on the water is a great source of pride, and reminds us what this community is all about.”
Congratulations All!
From record-setting catches to category wins across the leaderboard, the 2026 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament added another memorable chapter to Jarrett Bay’s long history in competitive sportfishing. In a year that marks Jarrett Bay’s 40th anniversary, the week’s results underscore the company’s continued presence at the forefront of the sport; proof- positive that Jarrett Bay boats are born to fish and built to win.
