Top Performers and Notable Catches

Capt. Jeffrey Crabtree and Pipe Down, owned by Todd Luke and Heather Gonzales, set the tone after boating a 507.4-pound blue marlin caught by 16-year-old Gavin Gonzales and took an early lead for the Duffie Boatworks Blue Marlin Jackpot. However, just days later, Pipe Down would be bested by Capt. Bobby Krivohlavek’s DayMaker. With angler Joe Gorin on the rod, the Charleston-based charter operation boated a 533.6-pound blue marlin and catapulted to the top of the SCBMI’s leaderboard. Although two more blue marlin made it back to the scales during the tournament, DayMaker and Pipe Down held onto first place and second place, respectively. DayMaker’s fish secured the tournament’s top honors and won $252,560 of the Duffie Boatworks Blue Marlin Jackpot. Pipe Down earned $108,240.

Payouts and Special Awards

The tournament also offered exceptional payouts for the three KryptoQuiet Blue Marlin Release Daily awards. Each release daily winner not only took home a check for $61,600, but they also won a set of KryptoQuiet marine bearings. Capt. Chris Kubik led Sweet Spot, owned by Sweet Spot Marine, to win the Day 1 Daily after releasing four blue marlin. The Sweet Spot team would also go on to catch another blue marlin in the tournament to win the Overall Blue Marlin Release category, clinching a prize package including special offers from the tournament’s many generous sponsors. Liaho, owned by Bill Choate and captained by Worth Farrington, took the Day 2 Daily with two blue marlin releases. Lastly, Stephen Davis’ Bench Mark with Capt. Jordan Parker won the Day 3 Daily with two blue marlin releases.

South Carolina Blue Marlin Invitational Supporting Marine Conservation Efforts

Following the tournament, the SCBMI proudly donated $15,000 to the South Carolina Memorial Reef, an initiative which creates life after life to honor sportsmen that have passed. This year’s donation, made in honor of Frazier Baldwin on behalf of the DayMaker and Marsha Conley Luke on behalf of the Pipe Down, will help support future South Carolina Memorial Reef projects, benefiting the broader sportfishing community and conservation efforts for pelagic species, as well as a myriad of at-risk reef fishes.

Captain of the Year East Coast Sanctioned Tournament Points Awarded: Capt. Bobby Krivohlavek, Largest Marlin, 500 Points