DESTIN, FL - Jasper Engines and Transmissions Associate Chip Temple landed a record-setting catch at the recent Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic held in Destin, Fla.

Temple, a sales associate with JASPER's Atlanta, Ga., branch, was in the chair of the 60-foot JASPER Time when he hooked a 714.7-lb. blue marlin June 19.  It took Temple and the crew of the JASPER Time eight hours to haul the 121-inch monster aboard. 

The 714.7-lb. blue marlin bested the ECBMC tournament record of 692.6 lbs. set in 2006.

Tommy Braden was captain of the JASPER Time with Ed Gogel and Matt Pearson as deck mates.  Temple, along with boat co-owner and Atlanta branch manager, Mark Wallace, were the anglers for the trip.  It was Temple's turn at the rod at 1:30 p.m. when the fish hooked on approximately 120 miles from shore.

"When it took the bait, it was FISH ON," said Temple.  "Within the first couple of minutes, it came up to the surface and did a tail walk.  We knew this was the fish we were here to get."

Temple admitted this was his first time to fish a big saltwater tournament, and he was thankful to have been given the opportunity by boat co-owner, Mark Wallace.

"I was just lucky enough to get asked," added Temple.  "I said yes and I'll say yes the next time."