Country singer Brian Kelley proved he’s as skilled with a fishing rod as he is with a microphone at this weekend’s Blue Marlin Championships. The “Kiss my Boots” singer landed a massive 581.2-pound blue marlin, earning him 14th place in the top male angler category and the fourth-heaviest catch of the tournament. While the grand champion title went to Donny Rouse and the Grocery Isle crew for their 746-pound marlin, Kelley’s impressive haul as part of Team Lifeline, made waves in both the angling and music communities.
Sharing his excitement on Instagram, he wrote, “What a weekend fishing @bluemarlingrand 🔥🔥🔥🔥 love our squad @lifeline_sportfishing @gulfcoastcowboysac still mind blown over here!!!”
Fellow outdoorsmen and musicians, like Chase Rice, took notice, sparking conversations about Kelley’s fishing gear. “Fly rod, 5 weight, hopper dropper combo?” the singer posted in the Comments section.
The Florida Panhandle Billfish Series extended a warm invitation, urging Kelley to return in 2026 with his best: Congrats @briankelley on your 581!! 🙌🙌🙌Hope you make it to the Florida Panhandle in 2026. Bring your A Game🔥🔥🔥
The 2025 Blue Marlin Grand Championship concluded with a thrilling victory for Team Grocery Isle, who secured the Grand Champion title with a massive 124-inch, 746.2-pound blue marlin caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Angler Donny Rouse’s impressive catch, reeled in Friday night and officially weighed the following afternoon, earned the team a prize of $405,977.80, cementing their place in Gulf Coast sportfishing history. Meanwhile, Team Devotion, captained by Jason Hallmark, claimed their second Gulf Coast Triple Crown title, taking home $188,950 in prize money.
Kelley, known for his barefoot-on-the-beach country style, has always embraces fishing as a vital part of his lifestyle, both personally and professionally. Whether he’s reeling in swordfish off the Gulf or casting lines in the quiet, bass-filled lake at his Nashville-area cabin, Kelley finds that fishing nurtures both body and mind. “I’ll sneak in a quick 30 minutes at our house and be like, Babe, I’m running out to the dock and see if anything’s biting,” he shared in a recent interview.
View this post on Instagram
Brian Kelley’s Always Been Fit Enough to Make the Big Catch
According to statistics, intense deep sea fishing can burn more than 500 calories per hour, so it makes sense to say that Kelley’s athletic background helped him keep the reel moving. The former Florida-Georgia Line singer’s athletic roots trace back to his college days as a pitcher at Florida State University. One of the workouts Kelley developed a love-hate relationship with: running the steps of the 80,000-seat Doak Campbell Stadium. “I could barely pick up my legs, but we did it,” he recalls,
Today, Kelley, whose summer tour begins July 24 in Savannah, GA, incorporates that same dedication—albeit less intense—into his training program. These days, the stairs are usually replaced with light, shorter runs, along with some mobility work. For him, maintaining cardio isn’t just about staying in shape—it’s essential for the breath control needed to power through his demanding live shows night after night.
When it comes to fishing moments like Saturday, the grind of reeling in a giant catch is akin to a heavy training day. “We fought a white marlin for probably 40 minutes,” he recalled in the same article. “I was exhausted. I didn’t even need to work out that day.”
This past weekend’s tournament featured 66 boats and 411 anglers competing for over $1.8 million in prize money, living up to its reputation as “The Greatest Show in Sportfishing.” A total of 82 catches were recorded, including 49 blue marlins, 5 white marlins, 5 sailfish, 17 yellowfin tuna, 4 dolphin, and 2 blue wahoos. In a tradition of giving back, the catch’s meat was donated to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo to feed the animals. The lively atmosphere extended beyond the water, with daily dockside festivities at The Wharf featuring live music, weigh-in spectacles, and a vibrant fan experience.
Proceeds from the event once again benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, raising over $220,000 to support its mission. The 2025 Blue Marlin Championships not only showcased remarkable fishing achievements but also delivered a memorable celebration of community, sport, and charity