Tuna Take the Stage on Day One
Most boats used caution today as tropical storm Isaias drew closer, and just 42 of the 433 registered boats fished Day 1 of the WMO. Most of today’s boats were tuna fishing which often takes a shorter run. Fewer boats traveled to the canyons, but some that did have good luck with white marlin release.
The first fish to the scales Monday was a 114.5-pound tuna caught by Travis Ort from York, PA. Ort was fishing on Ocean City’s “Restless Lady.” Second place in the tuna category was Hunter Unruh from Townsend, DE with a 92-pound tuna caught aboard “Swords Fish” out of Indian River, DE. In third was the “Wrecker” from Ocean City, MD with a 57-pound tuna caught by Joe Haycock from Ocean City, MD. If the tournament ended today Ort would win $980,000, Unruh’s fish would take $250,000 and Haycock would walk with $300,000. But of course, things will change over the week.
With Isaias expected to impact Ocean City on Tuesday, no boats are...
World Record Fishing Purse on the Line in 47th White Marlin Open
What hurricane? What pandemic? As of Sunday evening, an incredible 433 boats have registered to fish for a world record fishing purse of $6.7 MILLION during the 47th Annual White Marlin Open held in Ocean City, MD August 3-9. The anglers will target white and blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin and shark and it is probable that a couple new millionaires will be minted by tournament's end on Sunday August 9.
The tournament dates were extended by two days because tropical storm Isaias is expected to pass by Ocean City on Tuesday. With that change, each boat is now permitted to fish any 3 days from Monday August 3 through Sunday August 9.
The field for the 2020 WMO includes many top boats from last year's fleet that set a tournament record of 1,429 white marlin releases. The 'Big Deal" our of Brielle, NJ will be defending the 2019 Top Boat award as will runner-up "Uno Mas".
Returning also are many of the top money winners of 2019. The "Fish Whistle"...