Ocean City 2024

[Gecha (Gerry)]

Been in Ocean City since mid-June, but not much to report. Fishing is slow but I got a lot of reno projects completed.
This week is the White Marlin Open, the biggest billfish tournament in the world.

It started Monday, a bit over 300 boats registered.
Monday fishing was SLOOOWWWW. The weather was fair but nothing spectacular to report.
Tuesday the bite got better with over 200 boats going offshore. Some nice catches were reported, with possible lots of money to winning fish.
Estimated payout for white marlin caught yesterday (77.5 lbs) is over $4 million.
Estimated payout for blue marlin caught yesterday (897.5 lbs) $547344, second place (789.5 lbs) worth $473337.
Estimated payout for tuna caught yesterday (220.5 lbs) worth just over $1 million
Catch 23 (Michael Jordan) dolphin (32.5 lbs) worth $124500

Payout can change daily based on catches brought to scales.
Weather forecast for rest of week is rain and possible high winds. Will see how it turns out.
You can follow the results online

https://whitemarlinopen.com

So far this season my biggest salt water fish is a 17.5" flounder, but I caught hundreds of throwback croakers, spots, and flounders.
Always fun being on the water with some lines below the surface.

[Gecha (Gerry)]

On day 3, 270 boats went out.
Many catches but not much changes on the leaderboard, except for new blue marlin 897.5 lbs estimated at $555 thousand.

Today day 4, 196 boats fishing.

[Gecha (Gerry)]

Not many fish brought to scale Thursday, no change in leaderboard.
Only 17 boats fishing today, it's pretty windy and rainy due to tropical storm Debby.

[Gecha (Gerry)]

Yesterday was a very rough day. Only 17 boats went out and many returned back because sea was too rough with over 10' waves.
Leaderboard did not change, possible payout amounts varying based on other catches.
Today, last day of tournament, 62 boats are out fishing.
Weather is beautiful, almost no wind, and temps in the 80's

[Reelax]

Read that a 77lb Marlin won 3.4 MILLION!!

It stood up from day two?!?!

Is that true? WOW such a small white marlin for such a nice prize!!!

Amazing

We shoulda fished it this year:)

[Gecha (Gerry)]

Correct Matt, winning white marlin was 77.5 lbs caught on day 2 of tournament.
This year we did not get a lot of fish brought to scales, compared to previous years.
Fishing is getting tougher, even near shore and in the bay. We need to adjust to these new conditions.

Yesterday was a beautiful calm sunny day, so neighbor went offshore early morning. Got back around 6 pm.
Burned over 120 gallons of fuel, trolled for 7 hours, not one bite, waves up to 6 feet, did not see or heard any other boats catching, now wondering if it's still worth doing it.
No fun anymore when you have to travel 60 miles offshore in hope of catching something.
Fishing can get pretty expensive.
Now I'm sticking to fishing the bay for flounder, striper, bluefish, croaker, spot, sea robin, and whatever else want to play. No longer targeting for size, just having fun on the water.

[Digitroll Fishing]

What is the entry fee for this tournament? $10,000 or something?

[Gecha (Gerry)]

What is the entry fee for this tournament? $10,000 or something?

Starts at $10K, and sky is the limit if you want to enter all the categories and calcutas, not counting the beats under the table between captains.
Last year winning fish was over $6 million.
I fished the tournament twice, that's all I could afford. Did not win any price, but enjoyed memorable fishing days with friends, and a great buffet at the award ceremony.

[Reelax]

What is the entry fee for this tournament? $10,000 or something?

Starts at $10K, and sky is the limit if you want to enter all the categories and calcutas, not counting the beats under the table between captains.
Last year winning fish was over $6 million.
I fished the tournament twice, that's all I could afford. Did not win any price, but enjoyed memorable fishing days with friends, and a great buffet at the award ceremony.

The year Gerry and I fished it together we had 6 guys all put in 2k each. The boat entered at 10k and the extra 2k went to ice, diesel, and bait.
We fished that boat a few times but never have we seen the captain fish harder than the 3 days we fished in the tourney in 2018! 70 miles off shore in a 42 foot custom Carolina with dual diesel’s was awsome… and still fishing out toward England! Loved every Minute of it. When you pay 1k for a day of deeply sea fishin without much to show for it…a 2 k buy in for 3 days of epic off shore action with the chance to win millions is a no brainer. So see a blue marlin, Maco, and multiple white marlin to the boat in day 3 was amazing!!!

Amazing they fished that boat sooo hard just to get in the $$! Rules were that any purse was evenly split 7 ways and the boat gets a share!

Would do it again in a second!!

[Gecha (Gerry)]

Thanks Matt for sharing such valuable memories. It was a lifetime experience.