THE 2021 CHASE
DEVOTION'S DEBUT
Team Devotion, a 61’ Viking from Orange Beach, turned an early lead into a 2021 Gulf Coast Triple Crown championship after an intense nine-tournament battle.
After taking the Catch & Release division at the Louisiana Billfish Classic, Captain Jason Hallmark and his team—Ben Arnold and Tyler Matherne—faced four lead changes throughout the series. A second-place finish at the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic and another runner-up finish at the Pensacola International Tournament propelled Team Devotion back into first with just one tournament remaining.
Ten teams entered the final showdown at the Blue Marlin Grand Championship with a shot at the title. When the scales closed at The Wharf in Orange Beach, the standings remained unchanged, and Team Devotion emerged as Gulf Coast Triple Crown Champions.
BLUE MARLIN
472.2 LBS
POINTS
450
“To have my name alongside those other great captains who have won it in the past…some of the best captains and fishermen in the world … that’s an unbelievable honor for me and our team.
— JASON HALLMARK
CAPTAIN, DEVOTION
First time winners
61' VIKING - ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA
Big game fishing is a team sport, and Hallmark credits owner Josh Tice for giving him the opportunity to build the championship crew aboard Devotion.
“Josh enabled me to put together an outstanding crew which is what gave us a chance to win. There is so much talent fishing on other teams in our part of the Gulf, if your crew isn’t great, you have no shot at winning,” said Hallmark.
Hallmark’s team-first approach proved critical, especially when mate Ben Arnold’s recommendation led them to the spot where they caught the Blue Marlin at the ECBC. “I know everyone says it’s a team effort, but with us, it really is, and I feel very, very fortunate to be a part of this team.”
For owner Josh Tice, Hallmark’s ability to assemble top talent is one of his greatest strengths. “I think he’s the best captain in the Gulf, and a big part of that is the team he can assemble. That has always been a trademark of his, being able to attract top talent to the boat he is running.”