The 2024 MONGO Offshore Challenge is a celebration of the Gulf Coast’s incredible bluewater fishing and the community of boats that so thoroughly enjoy it. More than a season-long tournament, the MONGO is a 150-boat fishing party. With the Gulf’s tournament 2024 tournament season in full swing, here is a breakdown of the 2024 MONGO Gulf Coast Division: the teams, the current leaders and the industry-leading lineup of sponsors who support it. Thanks to all the teams who have entered and all of the partners who have sponsored the event. The 5th annual MONGO is rolling and we’re excited.
150 Teams Fishing for More Than $500,000
In terms of volume of participation, the MONGO is the Gulf’s largest and most widely distributed bluewater tournament. From south Texas to Florida, the field is composed of boats representing all five Gulf states. Boats range from 29 feet to 80.
The MONGO is designed for fishing and for how people fish. A boat-based tournament, everyone who fishes aboard the vessel is a tournament angler. Not only that, but when the boat fishes tournaments those fish qualify for the MONGO as well.
It is with this backdrop—widespread, participatory and inclusive—that the MONGO 2024 Gulf Coast division is best understood. Here’s a breakdown of where we stand through the first six weeks of the action.
Blue Marlin: 86 Teams
Through the first third of the MONGO, perhaps no division showcases the quality of the fishing in the Gulf quite like the blue marlin division. In just over a month of fishing MONGO teams have hung two fish north of 700.
It was Captain Jeremy Cox and team Lolita that kicked off the action on May 3 (just three days into the action). After five hours in the chair, Cox and company boated a 122 inch blue marlin with a 65 inch girth. At 704, the fish not only took top honors in the Hurricane Hole Louisiana Open, but stamped an imposing mark for the remainder of the MONGO field.
Lolita’s fish led the MONGO until the Cajun Canyons Billfish Tournament. The Southern Charm cashed a tournament check with 728 that currently leads the Gulf Coast Division. Connor, the first mate on the boat, was gracious enough to share the experience of catching the fish on the dock after the fishing.
In many parts of the world, a 728 pound blue marlin would be a lock. On the Gulf Coast, with three months of fishing remaining, however, there’s quite a bit of fishing remaining.
What will it take to win the Gulf Blue Marlin Division? Veteran Gulf Captain Patrick Ivey of the Breathe Easy provides his best guess…
Tuna: 71 Teams
The MONGO wonderfully showcases the Gulf’s incredible tuna fishing. The 71 teams competing to catch the biggest yellowfin in the Gulf face stiff competition. Between boats fishing tournaments and club competitions and charter operations, there are lots of big tuna caught in the Gulf.
In its first month the 2024 MONGO has posted two yellowfin north of 200. Rene Cross and the Miss Remy jumped out to an early lead with a 200.6 that cashed a check in the Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. The current leader is the Sea Spray who hung a 209.6 pound yellowfin at Orange Beach Marina on May 25.
Mahi: 71 Teams
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic set the stage for the current leader in the Gulf’s mahi division. The Fins Up, a 54’ Bertram, caught a 42.1 pound dolphin.
Swordfish: 42 Teams
The Gulf is home to one of the best swordfish fisheries in the world. It is also home to some really good, really innovative swordfish crews. More than any other event, the MONGO showcases the quality of this fishery and the skill of the boats who do it.
The current leader is the Ransom, a 38’ Empire boatworks. They weighed their 245-pound sword at Cypress Cove Marina in Venice, Louisiana.
Wahoo: 74 Teams
Some 74 teams across the Gulf are in search of the largest blue torpedo. No qualifying wahoo has yet been weighed. The minimum wahoo weight is 60 pounds. A MONGO wahoo is likely to make an appearance between now and September.
A Celebration of Fishing and the Industry that Makes it Possible
The MONGO Offshore Challenge celebrates fishing. The MONGO celebrates the act of catching big fish and the fisheries that make it possible. It showcases the boats and crews whose skill and dedication provide the foundation of the activity.
The MONGO also partners with many of the best companies in sportfishing industry. When doing business with these companies you can feel good in knowing that each is an expert in what it does and that each are passionate about fishing and the people who do it.
The MONGO East Coast: Registration Open Through June 30
The MONGO’s East Coast division remains open through June 30. With the season kicking off, boats from Florida to New England compete for the biggest blue marlin, swordfish, yellowfin, bigeye, wahoo and swordfish.
Were this not exciting enough, the Blue Marlin Division has $62,000 in rollover cash from last year. Plenty of boats will catch big blue marlin this year. If they’re entered in the MONGO, one will win a pile of money.
Ocean City: Perfectly Positioned
