With a Tournament Record Eight Blue Marlin Releases — Lady Anglers Shine with Largest Marlin and Top Angler Awards
The 21st annual Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic, hosted at Cypress Cove Marina & Lodge and presented by the Louisiana Office of Tourism, delivered thrilling action and southern hospitality. Featuring fresh Louisiana seafood, nightly dinners, and a festive atmosphere, the event showcased the region’s best bluewater fishing.
A total of 25 teams competed, releasing 51 blue marlin and 7 white marlin over the tournament days.
🏆 Top Performers and Tournament Highlights
Team Supreme, led by Captain Chase Lake, dominated the field by releasing a tournament-record eight blue marlin, securing:
- Top Boat honors
- First Place Billfish Release Team
- Multiple Release Points Jackpots
- $102,350 in winnings
- The Stephen B. Thomas Memorial Trophy
- Top Crew Awards for mates Seth Brennan and Gam Hunter
Rising Sons and Captain Jimmy “Cricket” Crochet made headlines with the largest marlin of the tournament. Angler Jaselyn Berthelot boated a 618.50-pound blue marlin, earning:
- Top Blue Marlin honors
- Optional jackpots totaling $111,350
Other top placements included:
- Second Place Blue Marlin:
Team Nikki Bella – 596.40-pound blue marlin
Captain Louis Porto / Angler Marc Padgett
$79,635 winnings - Third Place Blue Marlin:
Team Southern Charm All In – 501.60-pound blue
Captain Landon Bell / Angler Gregg Trenor
$124,235 winnings
👏 Outstanding Angler Achievements
It Just Takes Time, captained by Myles Colley, released eight blue marlin to claim Second Place Release Team. Junior angler Leah Pratt caught six of the marlin, becoming the first to win:
- Top Angler
- Top Lady Angler
- Top Junior Angler
- Total winnings: $61,410
Team Breathe Easy, with Captain Patrick Ivie, released four blue marlin and landed a 57.5-pound tuna (angler Chaz Chauvin), earning $36,980.
💰 More Winners in Optional Jackpots
- Team Un-Reel, Captain Travis Chunn, angler Chris Goff – Second Place Tuna, $23,400
- Relentless Pursuit, Captain Robbie Doggett, angler Mike Akiu – 52.40-pound tuna, $20,160
- A Work of Art, Captain Jason Buck – All billfish optional categories, $7,200
- Double J, Captain JJ Tabor, angler Andre Leblanc – 491.60-pound blue, $5,130
- Lady Angler Mary Katherine Adams – Largest tuna, 62.60 pounds
Total tournament payout: $571,850
📅 Save the Date
Join us for the 2026 Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic, May 26–31, 2026.
🧭 InTheBite Captain of the Year – Furuno Gulf Coast Division
Points Recap
| Points | Captain | Team Name | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | Chase Lake | Team Supreme | Overall Win (8 blue marlin) |
| 500 | Jimmy Crochet | Rising Sons | Largest Marlin (618.50 lbs) |
| 300 | Myles Colley | It Just Takes Time | 8 blue marlin releases |
| 100 | Patrick Ivie | Team Breathe Easy | 4 blue marlin + 57.5-lb tuna |
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