New Big Rock Blue Marlin director inherits soaring growth at annual fishing tournament
Madison Struyk didn’t hesitate when asked if she has already had an “oh snap” moment since taking over as director of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.
“The whole transition has been super bittersweet because everything I know and everything that I have learned came from Crystal (Hesmer),” Struyk said. “She was the most incredible boss and knowing that she built the Big Rock to what it is today, that made things a little easier.
"When I first started, I thought to myself, ‘This won’t be so bad.' But obviously there is a lot more responsibility on my part now and that can be a little scary. But I am taking it one day at a time.”
Winning team: WideSpread wins 63rd Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament
Teen vaults into podium position: Teen angler Cole Pirrung reels in 656.5-pound marlin at 2021 Big Rock Blue Marlin
Struyk was named director in October, after Hesmer stepped down following 24 years in the role. Struyk, a 2011 West Carteret graduate who later coached cheerleading at Croatan, had been director of the Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament since 2017.
This year’s lady angler tournament starts Friday. The main event of the Morehead City fishing tournament, a six-day shootout out in the Atlantic Ocean, kicks off Monday.
“We are excited every year, but this year seems to be a little more special, especially coming off our best year last year,” Struyk said. “To be in this position, it is exciting.”
Struyk started her Big Rock journey as a high school intern, selling T-shirts at the old weigh station. She returned during her time as a student at N.C. State, and later became a full-time retail assistant and social media coordinator.
“Growing up, I knew the Big Rock as a lot of people fishing and a lot of money being given away,” she said. “The older I got, and now that I have gotten married and created a life of my own, I see all the other entities of what the Big Rock provides. I see the bigger picture.”
WideSpread, a 51-foot Marine that ports in Oregon Inlet, is the defending champion after boarding a 656.5-pound marlin on the penultimate day. WideSpread won $1,678,250 from the tournament-record $4,749,200 purse.
From 2020 Big Rock: Jordan, Catch 23 make for memorable day in Morehead City
Last year’s event continued the trend of Big Rock growth. In addition to a record purse, 270 boats participated in 2021, also an all-time high. The 2020 tournament, in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, had 205 boats and a $3,352,475 purse. In 2019, 184 boats fished for a purse of $2,869,050.
Struyk hopes for another big tournament this year, which will include Michael Jordan’s Catch 23, an 80-foot Viking, for the third straight year.
“Talking around town, all the marinas and slips are accounted for and that is usually a good indication of a lot of people being here,” she said. “A lot of people credit the growth to (former UNC and NBA star) Michael Jordan participating, but it is so much more than that. People are excited that we have added some new rules, have brought back the captain’s party. Social media has helped us grow and the charity donations have been bigger. Everybody wants to be a part of it all.”
Chris Miller can be contacted via email at chris.miller@jdnews.com. Follow him on twitter @jdnsports.
This article originally appeared on The Daily News: Big Rock Blue Marlin kicks off its 64th year with new director
