Big prize still awaits the first 500-lb. blue marlin at Big Rock

Though blue marlin have been cooperating at the 271-boat, $5.8 million Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament out of Morehead City, N.C., that unusual contest hasn’t been able to give away the $739,500 prize for the first 500-pounder through the first two days. C-Student remains on top with its day one landing of a 470.2-pounder as 254 boats fished yesterday.

Grand Slam released three blues yesterday to take the lead in the release category as the fleet released 54 blues, two whites and five sailfish. Predator rushed in early today in hopes of breaking that 500-pound barrier, but their blue weighed 459 pounds to take over third place. Sea Toy holds onto second at 463 pounds, and Sea Wolfe was in early today with a 408-pounder for fourth.

High Yield entered the first tuna at 42.8 pounds, and Skip Hook boated a huge dolphin of 59.3 pounds which is in line for a payout of $539,750.

Capt. Frank Masseria switched to fluke for today’s charter on his Vitamin Sea from Keyport, and had his first good trip with that species.

The forecast is for south winds at 5-10 knots before going southeast in the afternoon. Showers are likely.

Vinny D’Anton hosted Art Nigro from Pa. in the Monmouth County surf this morning, and showed him how to catch fluke on Gulp while he waited out a striper on sand fleas. The water temperature which had killed fishing the day before was back up and Art caught 10 fluke, though none were keepers. Vinny managed a 28 1/2-inch striper before switching to fluke which were all shorts.