A record-setting field and unprecedented prize purse highlighted this year’s Blue Marlin Grand Championship as A Work of Art of Orange Beach became the first team in tournament history to win three championships.

A tournament-record 75 teams competed for the heaviest blue marlin and a share of a record $2,115,343 purse, the largest prize money total ever awarded in a Gulf-based tournament, according to a news release.

A Work of Art secured the title with a 641.2-pound blue marlin caught by angler Brandon Farve. The victory marked the team’s third championship, adding to titles won in 2012 and 2023. No other team has won the tournament more than once.

The catch carried special significance for the Farve family. Brandon Farve landed the winning fish on the same date he caught his first blue marlin seven years earlier while fishing aboard his grandfather’s boat.

“He has fished with us a lot, but this is the first time he’s been with us for a tournament win. It’s a priceless memory for me, to have my son Scott and his son be a part of this amazing experience here at The Wharf,” boat owner Art Farve said in the release. “He is now the third generation of our family now fishing with us and his generation is the future of our sport.”

Captain Jason Buck and the A Work of Art crew also finished second in the catch-and-release division after releasing seven blue marlin. The team accounted for eight of the tournament’s 66 blue marlin catches, including the winning fish.

“It’s been an incredible tournament season,” Buck said. “We were pretty confident we had the right one shortly after we hooked it. Our crew did a great job, Brandon did a great job in the chair, and we were able to get the fish boat side in a short amount of time to get good confirmation measurement, because you can’t afford to make a mistake in a tournament like this.”

A Work of Art earned a record-setting winner’s payout of $785,556 from combined blue marlin and catch-and-release winnings, the largest in tournament history. The team also captured its second Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship in three years. Buck added to his resume by becoming a five-time Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship captain.

Only four blue marlin were brought to the scales during the tournament. C’Mon Man of Orange Beach finished second with a 509-pound fish and earned $383,436. Gunnslinger of Destin, Florida, placed third with a 447.6-pound blue marlin.

In all, anglers caught 66 blue marlin, 35 white marlin and 17 sailfish during the event.

The catch-and-release division was won by It Just Takes Time of Orange Beach, captained by Myles Colley. The team released five blue marlin, six sailfish and one white marlin to finish with 3,555 points and collect $264,735. The team also earned the top Junior Angler award for George Pratt.

A Work of Art placed second in the division with 3,507 points, while Brittany Marie of Destin finished third with 2,505 points after releasing five blue marlin.

Rising Sons claimed the tuna division with a 124-pound yellowfin tuna. Lady D finished second for the second consecutive year with a 105-pound tuna, while Presley Jane II placed third at 94 pounds.

In the dolphin division, CE won with a 31.2-pound fish caught by Annie Cooper. Miss Remy finished second with a 27.8-pound dolphin and Relentless Pursuit placed third at 24.4 pounds.

Easy Trigger captured the wahoo division with a 41.8-pound fish. Now or Never finished second at 37.8 pounds and Miss Remy placed third at 36.8 pounds.

FINAL STANDINGS

Weighed Blue Marlin

A Work of Art — 641.2 pounds
C’Mon Man — 509.0 pounds
Gunnslinger — 447.6 pounds

Catch and Release

It Just Takes Time — 3,555 points
A Work of Art — 3,507 points
Brittany Marie — 2,505 points

Tuna

Rising Sons — 124 pounds
Lady D — 105 pounds
Presley Jane II — 94 pounds

Dolphin

CE — 31.2 pounds
Miss Remy — 27.8 pounds
Relentless Pursuit — 24.4 pounds

Wahoo

Easy Trigger — 41.8 pounds
Now or Never — 37.8 pounds
Miss Remy — 36.8 pounds