New Six Day Format Announced
The White Marlin Open, the world’s largest and richest billfish tournament, is introducing a major update to its 2026 format. For the first time in tournament history, participants will now be able to fish three out of six days – with the additional fishing day added to the end of the week — Monday, August 3 through Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Traditionally structured as a 3-out-of-5-day event, this change is in response to recent offshore weather challenges that have forced last-minute schedule adjustments. By formally adding Saturday as an optional fishing day, tournament organizers aim to provide greater flexibility and certainty for anglers and crews alike.
It's a Wrap!!
It was a busy day at the dock with 211 boats fishing on the seventh and final day of the extended White Marlin Open. The tuna dominated the scale and changed the leader board in the tuna division. Sea Hab brought in a bluefin tuna weighing 188 pounds. Caught by angler Jonathan Cianciulli, the Sea Hab moves into first place in the overall tuna division. This fish also takes the daily tuna category and is worth an estimated $764,000. The second place tuna of the 52nd annual White Marlin Open was also brought to the scale today. Angler Alex Eason aboard the Shorebilly weighed his 186.5 bluefin tuna that is worth an estimated $85,000. The tuna caught on the Mama C by angler Tommy Farella on Monday still holds for third place. Tommy’s 95 pound catch is worth an estimated $111,000.