The unique, worldwide, World Cup Blue Marlin Championship (World Cup) is entering its 26th year on Sunday, July 4, 2010. In the past two years the winning teams have collected a combined total of almost $800,000. There is no second place in this "winner take all" event.
Teams can register to fish the World Cup any place in the world where big blue marlin are found. The tournament minimum size is 500 pounds and the winning marlin has been caught in 10 different locations around the globe over the past 25 years.
Teams fish for 8 hours in their time zone. Last year there were 17 countries represented in the competition. The first teams to start fishing are in the South Pacific which is actually the afternoon of July 3rd on the US east coast where World Cup headquarters are located. Hawaii is the last time zone where World Cup teams compete. The 4:30 PM lines out time there is 10:30 PM at World Cup headquarters. Only then can the official winner be confirmed.
Registration is $3000 which includes everyone on the team. There is also an optional $5000 Big Blue Challenge as a separate jackpot. In 2009, the winning team from Bermuda, with their 865 pound blue, was not entered in the Big Blue Challenge and the money was returned per tournament rules.
Most teams register on line at the official web site www.bluemarlinworldcup.com. The World Cup rules, registration form and a list of all past winners and locations are on the web site. Participants can pay the registration fee by mailing a check or by wire transfer and can return their application form to World Cup headquarters by mail or fax. Wire instructions and other information can be obtained by contacting World Cup headquarters at (954) 561-9116.
Black Bart Lures, the official lure of the World Cup will once again be handling the popular tournament tee shirts. These tee shirts can be ordered by going to the World Cup web site or to www.blackbartlures.com.
During the tournament, on July 4, live updates will be posted on the World Cup web site. Hookup by hookup action during the day will also be posted on Twitter and Facebook.
In the past, since the minimum size was set at 500 pounds, the winning blue marlin has ranged in weight from 612 pounds to 1189 pounds. In this one day event, any blue over 500 pounds is a potential winner.
For complete information, rules and further updates visit www.bluemarlinworldcup.com. Tournament Director Mike Leech can be reached at phone (954) 561-9116; fax (954) 566-3059 or mike@bluemarlinworldcup.com. | 
