New Orleans INVITATIONAL
BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
AUGUST 20 - 23, 2026
NEW ORLEANS INVITATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
Founded in 1961, New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club has created a rich history of sport fishing along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. Most notable is their bond with the famous Port Eads Marina and current club location at Cypress Cove Marina & Lodge. Their passion for fishing Louisiana waters is second to none, and they welcome everyone to experience where they came from. They invite you to participate in the 51st New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament for big blue marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin, for large cash awards and prizes. The tournament is a true testament to big game fishing out of the bayou.
2026 LCC LEG VI
NOIBT RECAP
Great weather, hot fishing, and a clubhouse packed with generations of anglers made the 53rd New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament one to remember. Carrying on a tradition that began in 1971, the NOBGFC fleet headed into nearly ideal Gulf conditions and found plenty of action. By the time the scales closed Saturday night, the fleet had released an impressive 16 blue marlin and four white marlin, while the clubhouse buzzed with fish stories, great food, Joe Yurt cocktails, and the camaraderie that has defined the Invitational for more than five decades.
Second Wind stole the show, releasing four blue marlin and two white marlin to claim First Place Billfish Release and earn the honor of representing the NOBGFC at the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica. Charlie Burt added to the celebration by earning the Judge Leander Perez Top Billfish Angler title with three blue marlin releases. Miss Paula V claimed Second Place Team, followed by Crystal in Third, while Beth Fisackerly aboard Good Stuf earned Top Lady Angler, Kimmi captured Top Outboard Boat, and Louis Rodrigue aboard Foam O was named Top Youth Angler. The meat-fish competition brought plenty of excitement as well, highlighted by Brett Davis’ massive 182-pound yellowfin tuna, Chris Roos’ 36-pound dolphin, and Corey Free’s 36-pound wahoo.
But the Invitational has always been about more than what reaches the leaderboards. It’s about families, friendships, tradition, and a shared passion for fishing the Gulf. Multi-generational crews once again competed together, and Saturday night ended with a standing-room-only clubhouse roaring as trophies and big checks were handed to the winners. Many said it felt like the legendary early days at Port Eads—lots of fish, plenty of stories, and a clubhouse overflowing with camaraderie. Fifty-three Invitationals later, the tradition Guy Billups started in 1971 is still going strong—and this year proved the New Orleans Invitational hasn’t lost an ounce of its magic.
tournament
SCHEDULE
Schedule of daily events for the tournament held August 20 thru 23, 2026.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20TH
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm / Registration
5:00 pm / Captains Meeting
Note: Team DEPART after Captains Meeting
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21ST
Until 7pm / Scales Open
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22nd
Until 7pm / Scales Open
Note: Awards Presentation After Scales Close.
2025 LCC LEG VI
NOIBT RECAP
The 52nd Anniversary of the New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament added to the
storied history of camaraderie and sportsmanship that started with the first Invitational in 1971. The NOBGFC’s clubhouse was filled with passionate anglers, cocktails from the Joe Yurt bar, delicious meals, and generations of members eager to compete. The Dock catered to the Wednesday evening registration, Thursday morning Captain’s Meeting, and Saturday Dinner and Awards Presentation. The Invitational returned to its traditional three-day format, allowing boats to depart at 10 am on Thursday morning. The
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Department escorted the fleet out of Cypress Cove Marina to start the tournament. The weather was nearly ideal with light seas, scattered thunderstorms, blue water, and a few rare riplines that were available to fish.
When the scales closed on Saturday night, the Invitational fleet had released 34 Blue Marlin, 2
White Marlin, and weighed a 585-pound Blue Marlin. Relentless Pursuit finished strong with
6-blue marlin releases to take First Place Billfish Release on time. Rising Sons had 6-blue marlin releases also and a 585-pound weighed blue marlin that allowed super angler, Jaselyn Berthelot, to win Top Lady Angler, Top Blue Marlin Angler, and the Judge Leander Perez Top Billfish Angler awards. Long-time member Jeremy Ball’s
Balls to the Wall came in Third Place Billfish Release for 4-blue marlin releases.
Vincent Pisciotta on the Heads N Tails caught the only dolphin to sweep the dolphin category. As always, tuna was a knife fight, Share-E came in First Place with a 125- pound yellowfin, Free & Easy came in Second Place with a 72-pounder, and Top Outboard Boat, and Relentless Pursuit came in Third Place with a 71-pound tuna.
George Newman on the Heads N Tails caught the First Place wahoo at 29-pounds to earn Top Youth Angler, and Connor Caplinger on the Tenacious took Second Place with a 21-pound wahoo.
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2024 LCC LEG VI
NOIBT RECAP
Fishing began Thursday with Jaselyn Berthelot on the Rising Sons landing a 152# yellowfin tuna that would capture First Place tuna. Good Stuf called in an early tagged white marlin on Friday, but Allen Krake's Team Supreme continued their impressive summer with four blue marlin released on Friday. Each night at Port Eads, the fleet enjoyed the camaraderie reminiscent of the Port Eads dock fun in the days of the early Invitationals. NOBGFC is made up of great families fishing together and it was wonderful to see many father-daughter and father-son teams competing. Free & Easy loaded their coolers and weighed two 54# yellowfin tuna to take Second Place Tuna, Third Place Tuna and Top Outboard Boat. The Judge Leander Perez Award for Top Billfish Angler went to Team Supreme angler, Alex Krake, for four blue marlin releases. As overall Champions, Team Supreme will represent the NOBGFC in the Offshore World Championship next year in Costa Rica.
The club would like to thank our sponsors and remember our beloved New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club founder, Dutch Prager, who passed away this Summer. His presence was felt and his legacy in NOBGFC events will carry on. We thank everyone for competing in the 51st New Orleans Billfish Invitational and we’ll see you next year!
