A 640.5lb Blue Marlin caught by John Ols is the big catch winner with a $6.25 million payout.
Captain of the Floor Reel, John Ols of Laytonsville, Maryland and his crew will take home a massive $6.25 million payout in the 50th annual White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland as they caught a 640.5lb blue marlin to cap off one of the most hotly contested tournaments in recent memory.
It is considered one of the world’s largest and richest bill-fish tournaments that brings fleets of boats (this year, 405 boats) to the island and Atlantic Coast waters. This year’s 4-day tournament was one of the most competitive in several different categories of fish. It is also one of the largest tag-and-release tournaments in the world as well (except for the largest winners for weight and verification reasons).
No White Marlin were caught for the first time in 3 years and no swordfish in 11 years.
Over $10.5 million was handed out to the champions. Next year’s prize pool could be one of the largest in tournament history as they are projecting the first ever $10 million payday to the grand champion.
Anglers, young and old, plus celebrities joined in the great summer tradition of Ocean City, Maryland.
Final standings from the 4-day tournament
White Marlin
None caught
Blue Marlin
Grand Champion – John Ols – Laytonsville, Maryland – Floor Reel – 640.5lb – $6.25M
Tuna
1st Place – Brian Stewart – Shady Side, Maryland – Reel Tight – 265lb – $1.02M
2nd Place – Chris Mentlik – Street, Maryland – Fishlik – 247.5lb – $366k
3rd Place – John Zimmerman – Boynton Beach, Florida – Game Over – 221.5lb – $169.9k
4th Place – Rusty Shriver – Leonardtown, Maryland – Ro Sham Bo – 215lb – $1.75M
Wahoo
1st Place – John Harris – Boyertown, Pennsylvania – Shooting Star – 57lb – $47k
2nd Place – Chad Jackson – Fort Myers, Florida – Captain Deadly – 55lb – $31.5K
3rd Place – Matthew Gessler – Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania – Boy’s Toy – 46lb – $29k
Dolphin
1st Place – Andrew Spangenberger – New Freedom, Pennsylvania – Roncito – 50.5lb – $32k
2nd Place – Timothy Goodman – Palm Beach, Florida – Aquila – 32lb – $82.5k
3rd Place – Will McAteer – Kent Island, Maryland – Maverick – 31lb – $30k
Swordfish
None caught
Avid fisherman Michael Jordan enjoys the tournament with his boat, Catch 23.
Michael Jordan, NBA’s basketball legend, is an avid fisherman and a regular attendee of the tournament had his share of fans just wanting a picture with him or just to say hello. His boat the Air 23 caught a white marlin 3 years ago (weighing in at 442.5lb) which was good enough for 5th best and a $750,000 payout. This year, no such luck as he wasn’t able to catch anything.
Huge success this year, huge payout next year
This year’s championship was a huge success and could be even bigger next year with a first time $10,000,000 payout to the blue or white marlin champion according to sources close to the tournament
The post White Marlin Open draws the top anglers to Ocean City appeared first on Marylandsportsblog.com.