Like many things on the northern Gulf Coast it was Sonny Middleton who came up with the original concept of a Billfish Championship Series. It took almost ten years to develop The Gulf Coast Triple Crown into a championship series promoting offshore big game fishing and awarding an annual “best of the best” champion. None of us in the beginning could have envisioned how popular or widespread the series would become.
Somewhat similar in concept to NASCAR, the GCTC tracks official winners in each sanctioned tournament beginning in May at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, and following the tournament teams through Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and returning to The Wharf in July. Points are awarded to winning teams for first through third place scores in weighed Blue Marlin, and Billfish catch-and-release divisions.
The beauty of the Triple Crown lies in its simplicity. The series focuses on recognizing the best overall championship team while bringing exposure and recognition to the spectacular big game fishing in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. If you compete in a sanctioned tournament, you’re automatically entered and eligible to win … it’s that simple. By participating in all sanctioned events on the circuit teams increase their odds of winning by accumulating valuable bonus points.
In July, one team will be crowned the coveted Triple Crown Champions at the Wharf and take home the most sought after Trophy in big game fishing competition. The competition will be fierce as the most competitive teams in the Gulf square off for the Chase for The Championship in May.
Championship Winner will receive:
• The Championship Trophy – a one of a kind masterpiece handcrafted by metal artist extraordinaire James Williams,
• Prominent exposure in the Gulf Coast Triple Crown media campaign,
• Ultimate bragging rights as the “best of the best” along the entire Gulf Coast.
-Jim Cox
YEARS OF
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
SERIES
FOUNDED
TOURNAMENTS
IN THE CHASE
TRIPLE CROWN
CHAMPION
YEARS OF
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
SERIES
FOUNDED
TOURNAMENTS
IN THE CHASE
TRIPLE CROWN
CHAMPION
From 2011 to now, the Gulf Coast Triple Crown has crowned 16 different champions.
Each year brings new challengers, unforgettable moments and a continued legacy
of excellence on the water.
in 2023 and 2024, Team Supreme captured consecutive Guld Coast Triple Crown championships, becoming the first repeat champion since Done Deal’s back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
in 2022, Captain Jason Buck became the first four-time Gulf Coast Triple Crown champion after leading A Work of Art to the finish line.
Done Deal captured championships in 2012, 2013 and 2018, making the team one of the defining names in Gulf Coast Triple Crown history.
In 2023 and 2024, Team Supreme captured consecutive Gulf Coast Triple Crown championships, becoming the first repeat champion since Done Deal’s back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
In 2022, Captain Jason Buck became the first four-time Gulf Coast Triple Crown champion after leading A Work of Art to the finish line.
Done Deal captured championships in 2012, 2013 and 2018, making the team one of the defining names in Gulf Coast Triple Crown history.
The Gulf Coast Triple Crown brings together premier offshore billfish tournaments across the Northern Gulf Coast. Teams earn points throughout the season, with the championship ultimately determined by their cumulative performance.
