Orange Beach teams swept the top three spots in the catch-and-release category during a record-setting 30th anniversary of the Orange Beach Billfish Classic at The Wharf.

A fleet of 62 boats competed for a record $1,593,050 in prize money. The tournament, which ended Saturday, May 23, established new records for participation, total payout and the heaviest yellowfin tuna ever weighed in the event's history.

Leading the local charge was the crew of A Work of Art. The 96-foot vessel from Orange Beach, last year's tournament champion, secured first place in the catch-and-release category with five blue marlin releases and one white marlin.

"So many great teams fishing this tournament," Capt. Jason Buck said in a news release. "Even when we jumped in front, we never felt comfortable because I knew the teams that were right behind us were all capable of catching multiple fish quickly."

Buck was not the only local contender racing for first place. Metal Masher, a 72-foot Viking from Orange Beach, took second place with four blue marlin releases.

In third place, another 72-foot Orange Beach Viking, Never Surrender, also finished with four releases. Local success even went as far as the next generation, as Baker Tinney of Metal Masher was named the tournament's top junior angler.

Orange Beach also saw success in the blue marlin weight category. Angler Thomas Boothe and Capt. Nick Knoepflein boated a 475.4-pound fish on Block Time to secure a third-place finish.

The overall tournament championship went to Set A Course, a 64-foot Viking from Panama City, Florida. Owner David Pearson, competing in his first tournament, caught the winning 595.8-pound blue marlin.

"Such a great moment and weekend," Capt. BJ Teems said. "First tournament for Mr. Pearson, having my dad as part of the crew, none of us will ever forget the 2026 OBBC!"

The week also featured a new tournament record in the tuna category. Panhandler, a 63-foot Hatteras from Pensacola, Florida, weighed a 222.4-pound yellowfin tuna to take third place and the record. The top tuna prize went to Diane Kay of Destin, Florida, after a 10-hour fight with a 591.2-pound bluefin.

The Orange Beach Billfish Classic remains the world's largest tournament donor to The Billfish Foundation. The competition is scheduled to return to The Wharf in May 2027 for its 31st year.