All-In Southern Charm Takes Top Prize with Massive 654.6 lb Blue Marlin
Miramar Beach, Florida – The 23rd Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic (ECBC) returned to Baytowne Marina at Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort from June 18–22, 2025, bringing together 78 elite sportfishing teams for a week of high-stakes competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. With a total payout of $1,851,975, this year’s tournament delivered impressive catches and tight races across all categories.
The action-packed week kicked off with the Captain’s Meeting on Wednesday night, followed by the thrilling Thursday shotgun start. By Friday and Saturday, Baytowne Marina was the center of attention as teams backed into slips and weighed in some of the Gulf’s finest gamefish.
Tournament Champions and Prize Winners
Heaviest Blue Marlin Category
In the Heaviest Blue Marlin category, All-In Southern Charm with angler Ron Davis claimed first place with a 654.6 lb. blue marlin, earning $522,045 in total winnings. Devotion and A Work of Art rounded out the top three with fish weighing 640.4 lbs. and 604.4 lbs. respectively.
Other Weight Division Winners
Heaviest Yellowfin Tuna: Knot Done Yet, 181.4 lbs. (Blake Garland)
Heaviest Dolphin: Mae, 50.5 lbs. (Drew Marshall)
Heaviest Wahoo: Squid Row, 54.9 lbs. (Buck Gosnay)
Release Division Results
The Release Division was dominated by Team Supreme, taking home $216,913 with 2,175 points. Devotion and Nikki Bella secured second and third in a close contest.
Individual Angler Awards
Top Angler honors went to Ron Davis (All-In Southern Charm), while Team Supreme‘s Alex Krake was awarded Top Release Angler. In the Top Lady Angler category, Helen DeLaney aboard Yellow Steel earned her title with 1,000 points.
Junior Angler Recognition
The tournament also recognized young talent:
Top Junior Angler – Billfish: Leah Pratt (15) on It Just Takes Time, 700 points
Top Junior Angler – Gamefish: Ethan Cruz (15) on Nikki Bella, 153.1 lbs.
Complete Tournament Results
You can view the complete results on the FishECBC.com Winners Page.
InTheBite Captain of the Year Points Awarded
The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic is a qualifying tournament for the InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup. Points were awarded as follows:
Heaviest Blue Marlin Winner: All-In Southern Charm (Landon Bell) – 500 points
Release Division:
- 1st Place: Team Supreme (Chase Lake) – 500 points
- 2nd Place: Devotion (Jason Hallmark) – 300 points
- 3rd Place: Nikki Bella (Louis Porto) – 100 points
View the updated Gulf Division standings to see how these results impact the overall Captain of the Year race.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The ECBC team extends a sincere thank you to every angler, crew member, sponsor, volunteer, and vendor who helped bring the 2025 tournament to life. Your passion fuels the heart of this Gulf Coast tradition.
Mark your calendars – the 24th Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic will return to Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina, June 17–21, 2026.
About Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a major destination for all seasons and all ages and was named the #1 Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Sandestin invites guests to experience 2,400 acres and 70 charming neighborhoods featuring over 1,000 vacation rentals, condominiums, villas, townhomes and Hotel Effie.
As a member of Visit South Walton and Visit Florida, the resort features more than 7 miles of beaches and pristine bay front, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 20 swimming pools, a 226-slip marina, a fitness center and spa. Shop, dine and play at the charming pedestrian village, The Village of Baytowne Wharf.
New developments include Hotel Effie, a 250-room hotel that opened in February 2021, and Osprey Pointe which opened in the summer of 2020 adding an additional 77 vacation condominiums.
For more info visit Sandestin.com | @Sandestin | #Sandestin | #Sandestin50.
Suggested Internal Links for InTheBite:
- Link to previous ECBC coverage
- Link to other Gulf Coast tournament results
- Link to blue marlin fishing techniques articles
- Link to Sandestin fishing guide content
- Link to tournament fishing gear reviews
External Links:
- FishECBC.com – Tournament results
- Sandestin.com – Resort information
- Baytowne Marina – Marina details
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