The Big Rock: Inside the Most Intense Fishing Tournament of 2026

Keaton Gilleece Wins Nearly $600K at Big Rock: 66.1-lb Mahi, King Neptune & The Pineys (NCSN)Host David Glenn interviews Wrightsville Beach restaurateur Keaton Gilleece at King Neptune Restaurant about her 2026 North Carolina Sports Awards (The Pineys) “Event of the Year,” the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City. Gilleece, a Wilmington-area native and NC State alum, describes growing up around fishing, becoming more serious over the past 10–12 years with her husband Jimmy (owner of Jimmy’s Bar), and joining captain Taylor Present’s boat on short notice. After leaving Wilmington at 4:00 AM to fish day one, she fought and landed a 66.1-pound mahi on blue marlin tackle, winning the dolphin category for nearly $600,000 while her kids attended the weigh-in. She recounts the tense final-day weigh-ins, her experience as the only woman on a mostly male crew, her sports fandom, and invites viewers to King Neptune and Jimmy’s, noting King Neptune’s 2021 remodel and local seafood focus.00:00 Meet Keaton Gilleece01:16 Growing Up Fishing02:33 Big Rock On The Radar03:41 Only Woman On Board04:44 Sports Fan Life05:13 First Big Win06:26 Last Minute Crew07:46 Catch Day Chaos09:52 Final Weigh In Drama12:57 Kids At The Scales13:48 Jimmy's Bar Spotlight14:45 Fighting The Giant Mahi17:24 King Neptune Invite19:00 NCSN Sign OffWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState