With offshore waters thick with tuna and billfish, it’s time for another epic tournament season at the edge.
Kicking things off out of Ocean City, MD from August 5-9 is 51st Annual White Marlin Open. The tournament literally awards millions in prize money for catches of white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, and dolphin.
“Heading into our 51st year, our momentum remains strong following $10.5 million dollars in prize money last year, including a world record individual payout of $6.23 million,” said Madelyne Motsko, Tournament Director.
Then back along the Jersey Shore from August 11-17 the 47th Annual Ocean City Marlin & Tuna Club Offshore Open will commence with captains meeting on August 11, followed by tournament fishing days from Monday, August 12 through Saturday, August 17, with awards luncheon on Sunday, August 18. For tournament details go to whitemarlinopen.com.
As an incentive this season to attract new participants, if sign-up with a friend’s boat who has never fished this tournament you’ll get a $500 rebate on registration for the 2024 Offshore Open. Get details and tournament registration form at ocmtc.com.
Expect to see a heavy tournament presence off the Jersey Coast that week, as the 55th Annual White Marlin Invitational presented by Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club is also being held during the August 13-17 stretch.
This historic LBI event kicks off with team registration at the club starting at 4 p.m. on August 13, with 5 p.m. reception and lobster dinner followed by the 7 p.m. captains meeting. It’s captain’s choice of two of four available fishing days, with the White Marlin Invitational ending on August 17 with Hawaiian Luau and awards. For details go to whitemarlininvitational.com.
Finally, the standard for big game fishing tournaments in terms of prize money, hospitality, and conservation kicks off on August 18 with the MidAtlantic Tournament captains meeting with tournament fishing running through August 23. With its multiple calcuttas of various entry fee levels available for all tournament species, the MidAtlantic is known for generous payouts to multiple winners. Worthy of note, in 2023 there were two winners whose payouts exceeded well over $1 million.
The 33rd Annual MidAtlantic gets under with a welcome cocktail party and late registration on Sunday night; Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May serves as the tournament’s home port headquarters while Sunset Marina in Ocean City, MD serves as the second port’s headquarters and Sunday’s events will take place simultaneously at each venue. Tournament participants will select three of the five available days to fish. Contact South Jersey Tournaments at 609-884-0177 or visit southjerseytournaments.com.