THE 2015 CHASE
Relentless Pursuit Takes the Crown
Dennis Pastentine and his veteran team aboard Relentless Pursuit, a 95′ Jim Smith based in New Orleans, took the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship in 2015. With Captain Robbie Doggett as skipper, Michael Akiu and Jerry Morrison as mates, Relentless Pursuit started strong by winning the Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic and competed in all five events that comprise the series. The Grand Marlin Restaurant and Oyster Bar and Gulf Coast Yacht Group were the 2015 Presenting Sponsors.
Led by a 508.1-pound winning blue marlin at the Cajun Classic and four additional blue marlin releases. The team also released a blue and two white marlin at the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic and competed in every qualifying event, earning crucial bonus points that ultimately secured the championship.
BLUE MARLIN
508.1 LBS
JIM SMITH
95'
“Starting at Steve Thomas’ Canyon Classic, Relentless Pursuit relentlessly charged forward and never looked back. They just kept coming and they are the Champions today because of that competitive spirit. Congratulations to Dennis and Team Relentless Pursuit on a great Gulf season.”
— SCOTT BURT
OWNER, CMM
First Time Winner
95' JIM SMITH - NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Rise Up, a 54 Viking owned by Rusty Skalla and captained by Jason Hallmark, finished runner-up after winning the Orange Beach Billfish Classic with a 502-pound blue marlin.
Cotton Patch, a 60 Hatteras owned and captained by Johnny Dorland, finished third. The team won the Emerald Coast event with an 899.6-pound blue marlin, setting a new tournament record and earning additional Triple Crown bonus points.
The Triple Crown combines blue marlin weight and release points, along with bonuses for series participation and tournament records. Born2Run made a late push for the title, but Relentless Pursuit’s early lead proved too strong.
As champions, Relentless Pursuit earned the coveted six-foot custom marlin sculpture by marine artist Frank Ledbetter—and, perhaps more importantly, bragging rights across the Gulf Coast tournament circuit.