Stephanie Choate of Florida hooked a 625lbs marlin in the Bermuda Billfish Blast yesterday, taking home a jackpot prize of more than $340,000.

Because the first day of the Bermuda Billfish Blast coincided with the World Cup Blue Marlin Championship, Ms Choate was simultaneously competing with anglers from around the world.

Her catch yesterday was the second largest worldwide, but the biggest in the “Optional Blue Challenge Category” so she takes home a hefty purse.

The winning fish was taken on-board the chartered Reel Addition with Captain Cragin Curtis at the helm. There are 30 teams fishing in the Bermuda Billfish Blast, 19 visiting game boats, three local private boats and eight charter boats with guests from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Russia.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority is a sponsor of the Billfish Blast and its two sister events this summer which make up the Triple Crown.

Stephanie Choate won the World Cup Blue Marlin Championship from Hawaii two years ago, and is a world record holder and world class angler.

Her success in Bermuda this week has helped reaffirm Bermuda waters as having produced the second most winning catches in the history of the World Cup Blue Marlin Championship.