Article by Larry Budd
I need to start this week's article with a correction and an apology. Last week's cover of the Coastal Fisherman shared a picture that was provided to me by Dave Messick and Unscene Productions. I failed to properly credit Dave for the photo and want to do so now, apologize for the misstep and thank him for his friendship and sharing it with us.
Now to the offshore report and the wild week that was. Weather and the White Marlin open dominated all things offshore. Tropical storm Isaias flew through the region from Monday evening though mid day Tuesday last week effectively shutting down anything offshore for Tuesday and limiting Wednesday. This combined with additional weather concerns lead to the unprecedented extension of the 47th Annual White Marlin Open to 7 days of fishing instead of the traditional 5. Anglers could still only fish 3 of the 7 days. Despite the weather and pandemic, this year's White Marlin Open saw the second largest number of boats registered at 433, second only to the highest in 2005 and up from 404 last year. It also set a new bar for prize money totaling over $6, 804,000.
With 7 days to choose from and the storm coming Tuesday, only 42 boats targeted Monday to fish. The "Restless Lady II" was one of those that ventured out on day 1, catching a bluefin tuna while chunking in the inshore shallows 23 miles north east of Ocean City. They were first to the dock on Monday setting the bar high with their 114.5 lb. bluefin that held on all 7 days to take 2nd place in the Tuna Division and $1,414,000 in prize money.
The marlin bite came later in the week and it was strong with many whites coming to the scales. The first qualifying white was brought in by the boat "Reel Estate" by angler John Norton on day 4 of the event. At 72 pounds it held first place for about 2 1/2 hours before angler Adam Fye on the "Hook and Settle" brought their 74 pound fish to the scales. It was however day 5 and ultimately day 6 of the tournament that decided the top 3 white marlins. Five qualifying whites came to the dock on day 5, including a 77 pounder that set the new lead from angler Taylor Fields on the "Drillin & Billin". Angler Sean O'Donnell on the "Mama C" brought in another 74 pound fish and the "Skirt Chaser" a 72.5 pound white. So at the end of day 5 there was a leader and 2nd and 3rd place were set by a tournament rule. Two 74 pound whites were weighed, however, because the one from the "Mama C" was gaffed to get it into the boat, it slipped to 3rd place. Per tournament rules, in the case of a tie, a non gaffed fish wins. This becomes relevant later in the week as well. Day 6 locked down this division when angler Brandon Golueke on the "Canyon Blues" brought in a 97 pound white! At only 2 pounds short of a tournament record, he was secure in the top spot in the White Marlin Division earning $1,850,000 in award money. Frank Criscola, Sr. on the "Crisdel" brought another 77 pound white to the scales but did not tie with the "Drillin & Billin" as they needed to gaff their "nasty white marlin" to get it into the boat, but it still secured them 3rd place and $206,000 in award money in the White Marlin Division.
While no qualifying blue marlins were brought to the scale, a new Entry Skill Level added for Biggest Fish and Small Boat Biggest Fish added interesting drama to this year’s event. Historically speaking there has not been a reason for anglers to target or bring swordfish to the scales during the White Marlin Open, however this new category drove a unique strategy for Kyle Gagliardi on the boat "Jersey Boy". They reviewed the minimums for swordfish and blue marlin and made a bet that it would be more likely to catch a heavy sword over the 47 inch minimum than to land a blue marlin over 114 inches. Well that approach worked and the "Jersey Boy"s won both Biggest Fish Entry Levels for a total of $375,000 in award money for the 273.5 pound fish they brought in on day 6. This year also marked the first time in the tournament history that a swordfish has been weighed at the scale!
A review of the 2020 White Marlin Open would be remiss not to mention the dolphin landed by angler Matt Wagner from La Plata, MD. On day 5 he was fishing on the "Backlash" when they landed a tournament record 73.5 pound bull mahi, breaking the previous record set 34 years ago.
There are many other great catches and stories from this year’s White Marlin Open in our coverage in this edition.
Upcoming Tournaments
Unfortunately, the pandemic impacted the Capt. Steve Harman's Poor Girls Open for this year. Pam Taylor however has organized the Rebel's Release Ladies Limited Billfish Release Virtual Tournament scheduled for Friday August 14th and Saturday August 15th, 2020. Details can be found at www.RebelsRelease.com.
Monday, August 17th sees the start of the MidAtlantic tournament with the scales for the Ocean City boats being held at Sunset Marina.
Until next week I’ll see you at the docks.
