Teams hoping to reel in monster catches at the Billfish Classic

News 25 was at the Point Cadet Marina this morning as teams were preparing for their voyage out to sea for the Billfish Classic.

Each team has their eye on the large cash prize, but this isn’t your ordinary fishing trip. They’ve prepared their boats with top notch equipment.

Competitors are hopeful to snag a monster sized fish lurking in the deep.

Reeling in a prize-winning catch is more often than not a difficult process. “it’s like pulling a car from the bottom of the ocean.”

Team Noetic’s Todd Terreson said, “It’s like a good game of tug of war but with an opponent that you can’t really see and you don’t know their next move.”

Team Code Blue’s Keesler Park said, “Two weekends ago my mom got into a chair with one and it was like a six-hour battle and that gives you an idea of how hard these fish fight.”

Team Code Blue’s Tanner Keesee said, “These fish aren’t fighting for fun. They’re fighting for their lives so you do what you got to go.”

Team Hooks Deep’s Josh Lopez said, “It’s not fun, it’s the reward at the end of the day.”

Despite the heavy competition, teams say they look forward to the Billfish Classic every year for the same familiar faces.