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Ducks Unlimited Band the Billfish Tournament Day 3
Welcome to your Crystal Coast Compass Day One Tournament Report from the Ducks Unlimited Band the Billfish Tournament here in Morehead City, North Carolina.
July 17
Morehead City, North Carolina.
After three outstanding days offshore, the 38th Annual North Carolina Ducks Unlimited Band the Billfish Tournament is officially in the books.
Follow along as the world's best offshore teams compete for millions in prize money and Crystal Coast sportfishing history.
Subscribe to receive daily tournament updates and fishing reports delivered directly to your inbox.
Crystal Coast Compass will provide daily tournament coverage including:
✓ Daily leaderboards
✓ Weigh-in reports and photos
✓ Blue Marlin releases and hookups
✓ Captain and crew interviews
✓ Dockside updates from Tournament
✓ Tournament highlights and video coverage
✓ Sponsor features and local business spotlights
Final Day Tournament Report
Sixty-eight boats competed, producing an impressive 160 total billfish releases...
37 Blue Marlin... 12 White Marlin... and 111 Sailfish.
Leading the tournament was Double B, captained by Matt Daley, claiming the Overall Release Championship with 2,050 points.
Free Ranger, captained by Robert Orr, finished second with 1,900 points...
while Sunday Funday, captained by Randy Runyan, rounded out the podium with 1,650 points.
Saturday added five more Blue Marlin, two White Marlin, and fourteen Sailfish releases...
putting a fitting finish on another memorable Ducks Unlimited tournament.
But this week was about much more than the leaderboard.
Crystal Coast Compass was honored to capture the stories behind the tournament...
from its founders... to today's captains... volunteers... and the people who have built this event into one of North Carolina's great offshore traditions.
Congratulations to all the winners...
and thank you to the tournament committee, sponsors, crews, volunteers, and everyone who welcomed us throughout the week.
I'm Tuck with Crystal Coast Compass...
preserving the stories... celebrating the people... and sharing the traditions of the Crystal Coast.
Tournament Daily Reports
Stay current with everything happening on and off the water throughout Big Rock 2026.
160
Billfish Releases
68
Boats
38th
Annual Duck
1
Matt Daley
Double B
2,050
Points
2
Robert Orr
Free Ranger
1,900
Points
3
Randy Runyan
Sunday Funday
1,650
Points
Final Day Highlights
Saturday added:
5 Blue Marlin Releases
2 White Marlin Releases
14 Sailfish Releases
bringing a fitting conclusion to another memorable Ducks Unlimited tournament.
Total Releases
1. Billfish Releases: 160
2. 37 Blue Marlin
3. 12 White Marlin
4. 111 Sailfish
Tournament photos
Recent Videos
Local fishing reports
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The Pulse of Crystal Coast Offshore Fishing
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Off-shore
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The Pulse of Crystal Coast Offshore Fishing
Captain Mark Chamber
Off-shore
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Captain Mark Chamber
Off-shore
Tournament Coverage Presented By Our Sponsors
The businesses below help make Crystal Coast Compass tournament coverage possible. Support the local companies that support our fishing community.
