MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WITN) – The first blue marlin caught in this year’s Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament captured the Fabulous Fisherman prize, with a 504-pound catch.

‘Release’ came into Big Rock Landing around 2:45 p.m.

The boat hooked a blue at 9:17 a.m. and boated the fish at 10:24 a.m. With the first catch over 500 pounds, it wins $1,729,750.

The 53-footer is out of Hatteras Harbor.

If ‘Release’ maintains its lead throughout the tournament, it will take home another $4,285,625.

Around 2:25 p.m., ‘Game Time’ also boated a blue marlin. It is expected to weigh in around 4:00 p.m..

This is the 66th annual tournament that lasts until Saturday.

The tournament says a record 302 boats are competing for a purse of $7,560,575.

Big Rock says there were 271 boats out on the water today. They had until 3:00 p.m. to catch a marlin.

While there are six days of fishing, boats can only be out on the water for four days.