Big Bucks Billfish! Join the White Marlin Open

   There is still time to register this weekend for the world’s largest billfish tournament which will be held from August 4 till August 8 in Ocean City.

Boats from Key Largo all the way north to New Jersey will depart from the Harbour Island Marina for a work week of fishing that will culminate with an awards ceremony at the Clarion Hotel on August 9.

   Do not expect such major money from just registering with the minimum thousand dollar entry fee.

Captains and crews who put additional wagers in multiple calcuttas earn the really big bucks if they can put the biggest White Marlin, Blue Marlin, tuna, dolphin, Wahoo or shark on the dock.

   Dan Campbell who crewed on the boat that delivered the largest tuna to the dock last year was happy to take home thirty thousand dollars as his percentage of a half million dollar plus payout.  The White Marlin Open is “a fish tournament, social gathering, and for younger people, a party.”  Dan explained.

   Regardless of whether you are fishing or enjoying the show in Ocean City this week, Dan recommends dining out at the many fine dining establishments nearby, “The Shark Restaurant is really good and the Sunset Marina Grille will cook your fish for you.”

   Why go to work this week when you can make a fortune fishing, instead?

Larry Jarboe – bass21292@yahoo.com

Express Shuttle Service Offered for White Marlin Open

 

(July 28, 2014) – The Town of Ocean City will be once again offering an “express shuttle service” to and from the Convention Center parking lot to the 41^st Annual White Marlin Open.  The shuttle, which will run from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. from Monday, August 4 through Friday, August 8, will pick-up and drop off passengers in the south Convention Center parking lot to or from Jacqueline Avenue at 14^th Street.

The frequency of service will be approximately every 20 minutes.  Fare is $3 Ride-All-Day. The $3 Ride-All-Day passes are also valid for same day service on Coastal Hwy. and Park N Ride Buses.

The White Marlin Open is an event that can be fun and exciting for the spectators as well as the anglers. All fish must be weighed on the official scale at Harbour Island, (14th Street and the Bay), and the weigh-ins are held there each day of the tournament from 4:00 to 9:15 PM and are open to the public free of charge. As the week goes on, the suspense builds, as potential lottery sized fortunes change hands with a tip of the scale. It’s a terrific way to spend a few exciting hours during your Ocean City vacation.

Each boat must stop fishing by 3:30pm. If an angler still has a fish on the line at 3:30, the fish may be played until it is lost, boated, or released. Boats usually will be fishing from 2 to 4 hours off-shore, so generally the activity is heaviest from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The seas can sometime kick up and cause a slower trip back. Often an angler fighting a big tuna, or blue marlin, may be delayed. An angler fighting a blue marlin at 3:30 pm, is given an extension. Regardless of the day hooked-up, the angler has until Saturday, Aug. 10, at 12:15 AM to bring the fish to the scale.

There is no parking available at Harbour Island, but there is ample parking within a few block walk. The Presbyterian Church on 14th Street, just a block away offers parking for a small donation. Parking is also available at Holy Savior Church on 17th Street for $10. There will also be a “Park and Ride Shuttle Service” offered from the Convention Center parking lot.