The Marlin Gull's catch weighed in at 564.8 pounds. (Source: The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Facebook page)

MOREHEAD CITY, NC (WECT) – A Wilmington boat has pulled into the lead during the first day of the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament after hauling in a massive marlin on Monday.

Marlin Gull’s catch weighed in at 564.8 pounds. Since it was the first blue marlin weighing over 500 pounds, the crew won $433,500 in the Fabulous Fisherman’s Contest.

A few hours earlier, the Sandbob, a boat out of Fort Lauderdale, brought in a 476.2 pound blue marlin.

The week-long tournament kicked off in Morehead City Monday morning with $1.8 million on the line.