After day 6 of the 51st White Marlin Open, the big-money winners remained the same. The wahoo division finally had a qualifier as Ian Horowitz from North Wales, PA brought in a 70-pounder, caught off the American Lady out of Indian River, DE good for first place, and $68,500 in winnings. The other categories remained unchanged.
The white marlin division has the Waste Knot out of Raliegh, NC in first with a 77.5-pound white winning nearly $3.7 million. The local boat Billfisher from OC, MD, holds 2nd and $1,797,119 for Noah McVicker from Ocean City, MD.
The blue marlin were huge this year with the Stone Cutter out of St Augustine, FL, landing a monster 897.5-pounder and holding over $520,000 for angler Lance Blakemore from Horseheads, NY. The Moore Bills out of OC, MD, weighed a 894-pounder, grabbing 2nd and $410,900 for angler Phil Key from Millers Island, MD. Third place was claimed by the Bobojo from Manteo, NC. They weighed a 789.5-pound blue earning Hershel Martin from Montross, VA, $112,700.
The tuna were equally impressive as the bigeye showed up for the tournament. Leading the charge was a 220.5-pound bigeye landed off the Blue Runner out of Pt. Pleasant, NJ, making Rob Jones from Cincinnati, OH $1,007,000 richer. There was a tie for 2nd place between two Cape May, NJ boats, both landing 193.5-pound bigeyes. Jeff Green from Cape May took $154,046 fishing off the Warden Pass. That fish was followed by the MJ and earned Dante Soriente from Little Egg Harbor $147,046 for his catch.
The dolphin remained the same as the Catch 23 out of Jupiter, FL took first place and $64,500 for angler Patrick Fields from Stuart, FL. Second place was filled by Andy Geldmacher from Westminster, MD with a 31-pound dolphin taken off the Double Nickel out of Solomons, MD. The fish is worth $2,400.
While the weather deterred many small boats from entering this year, the Covered Up out of Ocean City, MD was glad they entered. Their 164-pound tuna won most of the small boat money and will take home over $200,000 for their efforts.
Stay tuned for a complete rundown of all the action, including top releases by boat and angler.