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Ducks Unlimited Band the Billfish Tournament Day 1
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 15
Morehead City, North Carolina.
What an exciting opening day on the water. Anglers were greeted with favorable conditions, and the fleet wasted no time putting points on the board. While all standings remain unofficial, several teams have already separated themselves from the pack.
Follow along as the world's best offshore teams compete for millions in prize money and Crystal Coast sportfishing history.
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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
Day 1 Tournament Report
Leading the Daily Release Division after Day One is Double B, captained by Matt Daley. Double B put together an outstanding performance, releasing three blue marlin and one sailfish to earn a commanding 1,350 points.
Tied for second place are Post Call, captained by Robert Hall, and Inspiration, captained by Casey Wagner. Both boats finished the day with 800 points after releasing two blue marlin each, setting the stage for an exciting battle as the tournament continues.
In the Gamefish Aggregate Division, Weldor's Ark, captained by Dale Britt, takes the early lead with a combined weight of 44.4 pounds. In 2 Deep sits in second place with 22.3 pounds, followed closely by Wound Up with 21.1 pounds.
The Largest Dolphin category is currently led by Doc Fees, weighing in a 16.7-pound mahi-mahi. Weldor's Ark holds second with a 13-pound dolphin, while Barbara B rounds out the top three with an 8.8-pound fish.
In the individual angler divisions, Erin Flowers, fishing aboard Sensation, leads the Lady Angler competition with 400 points. In the Greenwing Angler Division, Will Harvey, aboard Inspiration, sits atop the leaderboard with 800 points, followed by Jack Sutton Jr. on Free Ranger with 450 points, and William Freeman aboard Wound Up with 400 points.
One of today's biggest stories is unquestionably the incredible performance by Double B, whose three blue marlin releases immediately established them as the team to beat. But with two more days of competition remaining, and plenty of opportunities for big point swings, this tournament is far from decided.
We'll be back at the scales tomorrow with complete coverage, interviews, highlights, and updated leaderboards.
I'm Tuck Corveenus, and this has been your Crystal Coast Compass Day One Tournament Report—bringing you the stories, the captains, and the traditions that make the Crystal Coast one of the world's greatest sportfishing destinations.
We'll see you tomorrow.
Tournament Daily Reports
Stay current with everything happening on and off the water throughout Big Rock 2026.
64 of 68
Total Boats
07
Blue Marlin
01
Sailfish
1
Matt Daley
Double B
1,350
Points
2
Robert Hall
Post Call
800
Points
3
Casey Wagner
Inspiration
800
Points
Gamefish Aggregate Division
1st Place – Weldor's Ark
Captain: Dale Britt
Total Weight: 44.4 lbs
2nd Place – In 2 Deep
Total Weight: 22.3 lbs
3rd Place – Wound Up
Total Weight: 21.1 lbs
Largest Dolphin Division, Lady Angler Division, Greenwing Angler Division
Largest Dolphin Division
1st Place – Doc Fees
Fish Weight: 16.7 lbs
2nd Place – Weldor's Ark
Fish Weight: 13.0 lbs
3rd Place – Barbara B
Fish Weight: 8.8 lbs
Lady Angler Division
1st Place – Erin Flowers
Boat: Sensation
Points: 400
Greenwing Angler Division
1st Place – Will Harvey
Boat: Inspiration
Points: 800
2nd Place – Jack Sutton Jr.
Boat: Free Ranger
Points: 450
3rd Place – William Freeman
Boat: Wound Up
Points: 400
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Tournament Coverage Presented By Our Sponsors
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