First-day catch wins Big Rock

 It was quite a birthday for captain David Copleston of Charleston, S.C. on Saturday.

On the day he turned 34, Copleston and his crew aboard the Artemis sweated out a late scare before emerging as the champion of the 50th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

Artemis' 640-pound marlin caught June 9 - the first day of the tournament - held the lead throughout the week as no more big blues were brought to the waterfront scales the last three days. Still, Copleston and his mates were not officially crowned this year's winner until the Raleigh-based Peggy released its fish late Saturday, the final day of fishing.

"It was dead quiet on the boat for about 30 minutes," said Copleston. "But we waited it out and when we found out that fish was released, it was a relief.

"The party is on now."

Artemis will earn $708,400 from the Big Rock's record $1,854,575 purse. And while the money is great, Copleston said a couple of other things will make the championship mean even more.

"The was the 50th and that was one reason why we got into it," he said. "That makes it even special and the fact this is my birthday is just icing on the cake."