A monster blue marlin caught in Island waters last Friday has strengthened Bermuda's claim as one of the best big game fishing centres anywhere in the world.

The 647-lb specimen earned American visitor Jim Bullock first place in the prestigious World Cup Blue Marlin Championship which is fished worldwide on July 4 every year.

Boats from Australia to Hawaii to Bermuda compete in the annual contest on the same day, and this year it was Bermuda taking top honours with New Jersey resident Bullock landing his giant billfish after a one and a half hour fight.

He was fishing aboard the boat Oppositional, captained by Chris Bock from Jupiter, Florida with crew Kurtz Klinefelter, Darrin Callahan, Dwight Callahan and Glynn Loftin also onboard.

Bermuda last won the event in 1993 when an angler onboard local skipper Alan Card's boat Challenger hooked the biggest fish.

Said Bullock: "The fishing here has been great. I had a wonderful time in Bermuda and ended up winning the World Cup. It's fantastic.

"We saw a lot of fish. We'll definitely be back next year."

Meanwhile, blue marlin will be hunted again this week when the third annual Bermuda Big Game Classic gets underway tomorrow. The tournament runs through July 13.

Some 30 boats have signed up, including 14 from overseas.

Among them are 100ft luxury craft valued as much as $10 million and considered some the finest fishing boats in the world.

Bermuda Department of Tourism has estimated that Bermuda's hosting of the event is worth in excess of a million dollars.