World Cup Blue Marlin Championship -

There is no other big game tournament like it in the world. The World Cup Blue Marlin Championship (World Cup) is fished for one day only on July 4th, and for but a single species, blue marlin. Some of the world's finest offshore anglers and crews compete across the world's oceans on that day to see who can catch the single heaviest blue marlin over the 500 pound minimum. On the fourth of July, 2009, the 25th annual running of the event will take place.

Each angling team will fish in their time zone from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM. There are no restrictions on where teams can fish. Some of the popular hot spots for large blue marlin include the west coast of Africa, Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Azores, Madeira, Ascention Island, Bermuda, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Caribbean Islands, Costa Rica, Mexico, the US east and Gulf coasts, Hawaii, Australia and the South Pacific islands.

During the 24th annual World Cup the lead changed hands 3 times from Madeira to Bermuda and finally to Kona, Hawaii where angler Michael Corbino fishing aboard the Ihu Nui with Captain McGrew Rice weighed in a 773 lb blue to win a tournament record of over $450,000.

Registration fee to enter the World Cup is $3000 for the team. There is an optional $5000 "Big Blue Challenge" available to enter in addition to the basic registration fee each year. The World Cup recognizes only one winner. There is no second place. Any blue marlin under 500 pounds or below the weight that may have been reported by another team is to be released.

Communication is by phone and email to World Cup headquarters in Ft Lauderdale, Florida where several phone lines and computers are centered. Participants and interested friends and press can also follow the real time tournament updates during the day on the World Cup web site, www.bluemarlinworldcup.com.

Registration for the tournament can be done on line with a credit card or by mail with a check. The tournament web site also has a downloadable application form. Wire transfers are also acceptable. The web site also has a complete listing of tournament rules, news updates and shows the details of all past World Cup winners.

For further information visit www.bluemarlinworldcup.com or email Tournament Director, Mike Leech at mike@bluemarlinworldcup.com. Tournament phone is (954) 561-9116. Fax: (954) 566-3059.

World Cup Blue Marlin Championship -