Mister Pete Takes White Marlin Lead and $3.6 Million while Gray Fox Doubles Up
Thursday’s biggest money fish was already waiting at Harbour Island Marina when the scales opened at 4 p.m. Mister Pete of Charleston, South Carolina, arrived flying a boated white marlin flag. As the fish was lifted onto the scale, the crowd erupted when the Jumbo Screen flashed 80 pounds.
The white marlin was caught by Bill Sharpe of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It displaced Bull Pen from first place and shifted approximately $3.6 million in projected prize money. Mister Pete now leads the division with projected winnings of $3,598,443.40.
Wednesday’s leader, Bull Pen, also of Charleston, began the day with approximately $5.6 million in projected winnings for James Hood’s 70-pound white marlin. The fish dropped to second place Thursday, reducing the boat’s projected payout to $2,038,872.60. Despite losing the lead, Bull Pen remains in position for a substantial payday because each Added Entry Level operates as a separate competition.
Marlin Arrive and Millions Move on Wild Wendnesday at White Marlin Open
From Max Bet’s 607.5-pound blue marlin weighed at 4:00 PM, two late changes in the tuna and dolphin divisions, nine fish moved into or altered the tournament’s top three standings during a fast-changing evening at Harbour Island Marina.
After the first two days passed without a qualifying marlin, MaxBet of Vero Beach, Florida was waiting at the scales when it opened at 4:00 PM. The blue marlin weighed 607.5-pounds before an excited crowd at Harbour Island. The fish was caught by Kelly Weber of Vero Beach, FL and is currently projected to earn approximately $1.26 million.
Only 45 minutes later, Bull Pen of Charleston, South Carolina, weighed a 70-pound qualifying white marlin. The fish was caught by James Hood, also of Charleston. The fish jumped into first place and is currently projected to earn approximately $5.6 million.