Crew wins $1.7 million after catching 504-pound blue marlin at Big Rock Tournament in NC

A North Carolina fishing crew is $1.7 million richer after catching a blue marlin weighing in at 504 pounds Monday at an annual fishing tournament.

Rom Whitaker, who is from Hatteras and captain of a 53-foot Bobby Sullivan vessel called Release, led the team as they caught the fish at the 66th Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead, North Carolina.

Whitaker and Angler Kirk Pugh made the catch and have been fishing together for more than 15 years in the Big Rock Tournament, a spokesperson for the tournament told USA TODAY.

Their catch was the first blue marlin boated this year and it’s this year’s first catch weighing over 500 pounds, the spokesperson said.

“The crowd went wild when they heard ‘504 pounds,’ organizers wrote. “On the spot, the crew became millionaires. After decades of competing in the tournament, this was the first time Rom has ever brought a Blue Marlin to the Big Rock scales.”

It took the team about an hour and seven minutes to make the catch, Big Rock Blue Marlin organizers wrote online, adding that it came with a $1,729,750 Fabulous Fisherman’s prize.

And not long after that, another boat, Game Time, caught a 516-pound blue marlin.

“Currently, this fish is worth $1.8 million,” organizers wrote.

This year’s total purse is $7,562,700 and there are different levels and categories teams can compete in.

Organizers said Release won an instant $1.7 million, while the current first place holder could win $1.8 million. 

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her atsdmartin@usatoday.com.