Ocean City’s White Marlin Open, scheduled for Aug. 3-7, 2009, is the resort’s premier fishing tournament - and can bring huge winnings to the lucky anglers who catch the biggest fish. During the 2008 tournament, 300 boats and about 2,000 anglers from up and down the eastern seaboard competed for more than $2 million in prize money - including over $950,000 for the top white marlin.
2008’s top winners included Tommy Hinkle of Berlin, Md., who took home nearly $1 million for landing an 81-lb. white marlin - a huge fish compared to the “average” white marlin, which weighs 45-55 lbs. The record-setting white is a 99-pounder boated in 1980 by Steve Bass aboard the Top Hat.
For the first time in tournament history, the top three dolphin of the 2008 Open were all over 50 lbs., with one missing a state record by just half a pound. Also, for the second year in a row, there were three white marlin caught all weighing over 80 lbs. 2007 was the first year in 30 for this to occur.
Each day of the Open brings plenty of chances to win - right up to the final minutes, in fact. In 2005, with just minutes to go, angler Greg Reynolds of Falls Church, Va. took first place in the blue marlin category for a 656-lb. beauty. With only 45 minutes left in the tournament, Reynolds’ fish proved to be the top money winner for a blue, making him $457,678 richer.
The Open offers flexible schedules - you only need to fish one of the three fishing days to be eligible for prizes - and allows for anglers with smaller budgets as well as those with deeper pockets. There is no limit on boat size.
Anglers can choose their fishing days and enter the level that best matches their skills. In addition to prizes for white and blue marlin, anglers compete for thousands of dollars in prize money for tuna, wahoo, dolphin and shark. And then there are the endless chances for bragging rights: Of the six species of gamefish, three Maryland State Records have been landed while fishing the White Marlin Open.
Not an experienced angler? Not to worry. The Open offers opportunities for anglers of all levels of experience to enter - and win. In 2003, for example, Doug Remsberg took home $1.3 million for the 78.5-lb billfish he caught - his first ever! If you’re new at fishing, it’s crucial to hook up with an experienced captain and crew, so start your charter boat search early.
Even if you’re not on one of the competing boats, the Open provides quite a show. Weighings are held each evening of the tournament, from 4-9pm, at Harbor Island Marina, 14th Street and the bay. Weigh-ins are open to the public and free of charge. It’s a great place to bring the whole family to watch the beautiful boats, view the day’s catch and join in on the excitement.
If you go, here’s a parking tip: There is no parking available at Harbour Island. The Presbyterian Church on 14th Street, just a block away, offers parking for a small donation. Parking also is available at the Convention Center. Park for free there and then catch a bus to the weigh-ins. For more information about the White Marlin Open, write: White Marlin Open, PO Box 737, Ocean City, Md. 21843, or call 410-289-9229. Visit their web site at www.whitemarlinopen.com. |
