Marlin Tournaments, Mid-Atlantic

August has proven to be a thrilling month for big-game fishing enthusiasts along the Mid-Atlantic coast, with some of the world’s most prestigious tournaments taking center stage. From record-breaking catches to life-changing payouts, the action has been non-stop.

The excitement kicked off with the 52nd annual White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland, which concluded on August 10th. The “world’s richest billfish tournament” lived up to its name, awarding over $10.5 million in prize money. The most coveted prize for the heaviest white marlin went to Dan Gough of Ocean City, Maryland, aboard the Billfisher. His impressive 72-pound catch earned a staggering $3,914,197.60. Coming in a close second was Trey “Cricket” McMillan on Michael Jordan’s boat, Catch 23, with a 71-pound white marlin, which secured a payout of $389,377.11. These were the only two qualifying white marlin, making their wins particularly noteworthy.

The blue marlin category was dominated by a monster catch from the Barbara B out of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. Angler Drew Osmeyer reeled in a massive 929.5-pound blue marlin, the standout fish of the tournament, earning the team $1,237,886.75. The tuna division saw some final-day drama, with the Sea Hab taking first place with a 188-pound bluefin tuna, worth $764,325.86 for angler Jonathan Cianciulli. The Shorebilly also made a late push with a 186.5-pound bluefin, and the third-place tuna, a 95-pound yellowfin from the Mama C, held on for a prize of $111,529.04. Other notable wins included a 32.5-pound dolphin for the Barbara B and a 49.5-pound wahoo for the SHOOTING STAR. The Release Division was topped by the Taylor Jean with 1,085 points.

The action now shifts to North Carolina’s Outer Banks for a double-header of tournaments at Pirate’s Cove Marina. The Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Billfish Tournament is currently underway, with registration on August 9th and fishing days scheduled for August 10th and 11th. The tournament will conclude with an awards presentation on August 15th as part of the larger Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament awards. This event is a beloved tradition on the Outer Banks, offering a lively day of fishing while also supporting a meaningful cause.

Following the Alice Kelly tournament is the highly anticipated Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament, taking place from August 11th to 15th. Known as one of the top-paying tournaments in the world, the PCBT is a multi-day event with fishing days from August 12th through the 15th. The week-long event promises a thrilling week of offshore fishing, nightly entertainment, vendors, and food, all culminating in a grand awards presentation on the final day.

Finally, the Mid-Atlantic marlin action will move to Virginia Beach for the 22nd annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament from August 20th to 23rd. As an invitation-only event, the VBBT attracts competitive anglers and is a key fundraiser for the Virginia Beach Billfish Foundation, which supports youth and marine-related charities. The tournament is known for its substantial cash prizes, and this year is expected to be no different, with winning teams and anglers competing for a significant purse in various categories.

With a rich mix of competition, big payouts, and a commitment to conservation and charity, this month-long series of tournaments continues to cement the Mid-Atlantic as a premier destination for billfishing.