BIG Tuna and Some Mahi on Day 2 of the White Marlin Open

By Scott Lenox

Posted on August 4th, 2026

Scales have closed on day 2 of the 53rd Annual White Marlin Open and it was a very busy day of scales action. With better weather, 255 boats ventured out to the fishing grounds, most of them on their first day of fishing for the week. There were several marlin caught and released, but none were big enough to bring back to the scales. We did see some leaderboard changes to the tuna category and our good friends at Pure Lure landed in the top spot of the mahi category. Lots can happen in the next four days of fishing, but here’s who’s leading after the first two days of fishing. Many thanks to the White Marlin Open for the pics! Current payouts are estimated…..www.whitemarlinopen.com

White Marlin – No Qualifiers

Blue Marlin – No Qualifiers

Tuna

1st Place Sea Legs 110.5 Lbs. $2.4 Million

2nd Place Reel Blessed 91.5 Lbs $195,000

3rd Place MARLI. 85 Lbs $1.8 Million

Mahi

1st Place Sidepiece 31.5 Lbs $209,000

2nd Place Today’s The Day 23.5 Lbs $8,800

3rd Place Today’s the Day, Fowl Play 22 Lbs $6,800 , $6,300

Join me tomorrow for our LIVE offshore interviews with Captain Dale Lisi of Foolish Pleasures. 11 AM and 3 PM!!

3 PM LIVE with Captain Dale Lisi!

Captain Jason Mumford of Lucky Break Charters found this young angler a keeper sized flounder fishing the back bay on today’s charter.

Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star had a nice day for his anglers putting them on some fun and tasty mahi action

Mahi (good fishing in not so good conditions) 8/4/26

Lot of variation between forecast and actual sea state of late. Today was more of the same.

Mercy..

10 to 15 NE leaving the inlet became a solid 20 ENE with gusts..

GrandDad Jason & young miss Ellie sent a couple small stacks of block over in moderately heavy seas. Short stacks are safer when the wind is up. Wasn’t long and we were mahi fishing. I’ve seen reef builder’s karma many a day, but Ellie? She put the whambalam on mahi all day long, then won the pool & the reef raffle too!

I expect coach Grandad had something to do with the catching. She sure reeled in the pool fish all by herself. Nice when it happens.

Everyone caught fish I’d think.

Nice fishing in not at all nice weather..

I have no open spots left this week unless there are cancelations.

Cheers,

Monty