Big fish mean big bucks and bigger bragging rights as the chase for the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Series (GCTC) begins locally. The first local sanctioned tournament happens this weekend with the Orange Beach Billfish Classic which runs May 18-23.

The Orange Beach Billfish Classic registration is open until 10:30 p.m. May 19. Boats depart at noon May 20. Anglers will be hoping to hook the largest blue marlin to claim the title as tournament champion.

If you don’t have a way to compete you can bring the family down to The Wharf for the weigh-in which begin May 21 from 7-8 a.m. and 7-10 p.m. or May 22 from 6-10 p.m. at The Wharf.

For more information regarding the Orange Beach Billfish Classic, visit orangebeachbillfishclassic.com. The next sanctioned tournament happening locally is the Gulf Coast Masters May 24-30. For upcoming Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship sanctioned tournaments visit gulfcoasttriplecrown.com.