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Fishing

White Marlin Open Has $10 Million Pot

Article courtesy of Chesapeake Bay magazine

sportfishing boat, White Marlin Open

The 2021 White Marlin Open awarded a record purse of $9.2 million.

Summer in Ocean City, MD, means the arrival of the world-famous White Marlin Open (WMO). In the offshore fishing tournament’s 49th year, organizers predict the prize purse will exceed $10 million for the first time.

The White Marlin Open (WMO) still claims the title of largest billfish tournament in the world (with 444 boats competing in 2021) and 2021’s $9.2 million payout was a world record. The 2022 tournament will be held August 8-12 and hundreds of boats are expected again this year.

New Categories

While the tournament format hasn’t changed, there are some shifts that will make for interesting fishing. The shark division is eliminated because of new federal regulations on sharks. In its place, a swordfish category has been added and to fuel some competition, a “heaviest swordfish winner-take-all” entry level has been added.

swordfish, White Marlin Open

For the first time, the White Marlin Open has a class for swordfish.

Smaller boats will get to engage in the action more this year, with a new “daily billfish points added entry level.” That means boats shorter than 40’ (12.19 m) long overall will have a special category to reward their billfish catch-and-releases.

Finally, the competition time is expanded by 30 minutes. Anglers will get an extra half hour to fish, with lines and teasers allowed in the water starting at 8 a.m.

For the Fans

For fans, Marlin Fest returns this year. This spectator festival was created as a social-distancing solution during the pandemic when it wasn’t safe for big crowds to gather at the scales at Harbour Island. The free festival will stream the weigh-ins live each day on a Jumbotron on the beach at the Ocean City Inlet.

White Marlin Open winner, boat Seven

In last year’s tournament, the crew aboard Seven made history, taking top honors in two categories.

“From the early risers who watch the boats pass through the inlet to the crowds that flock to Harbour Island to watch the nightly weigh-ins, the spectators add an element of excitement found in no other fishing tournament in the world,” says tournament Director Madelyne Rowan.

While some will choose to watch the weigh-ins at Harbour Island, fans at Marlin Fest will enjoy daily live entertainment, food and drinks, vendors, beach tennis and cornhole tournaments. The party goes on daily from 1-9 p.m.