Posted on August 12th, 2016
Day 4 of the 43rd Annual White Marlin Open is in the books and there is now only one day left for those on the leader board to wait in anticipation. There were a couple of non-qualifying white marlin at the scales today and we had tuna, wahoo and dolphin all hit the board. 242 boats fished today which only leaves 28 boats left to fish tomorrow to see if they can unseat anyone on the leaderboard. Here’s what those 28 boats will be trying to beat.
SHARK
The only shark that has been weighed in the tournament is a 260.5 pound hammerhead caught on board the MJ’s by JD Messler. MJ’s fish is currently worth $4,500.
Wahoo
Third place in the wahoo category came to the scales this afternoon. Daniel Stuart fishing on the Got Fish Too caught a 41 pound wahoo that is currently worth $14,000.
2nd place wahoo belongs to Brian Leader from the Second Chance. Brian’s 54 pound wahoo is currently worth $3,000.
The first place wahoo is going to be tough to beat. Richard Hammond caught his 79 pound wahoo on the Two Timing Connie and is currently looking at $17,000.
Dolphin
Third place in the dolphin category is currently held by Shannon Mills who was fishing on the Sea Breeze. Shannon caught the fish today and the 35.5 pounder is currently worth $15,000.
There is still a tie for first place dolphin and that is held by John Gudelsky who was fishing on his Reel Joy and Brian Russell who was fishing on the Sea Wolf. Both fish weighed 36 pounds, but due to daily calcuttas John’s fish is worth $17,000 while Brian’s fish is worth $15,000.
Tuna
There is now a third place tie in the tuna category thanks to a 71.5 pound yellowfin caught by Dave Arnold on the American Lady. David’s fish is tied with Pat Horning of the Fish Whistle fish from a few days ago. Thanks to added entry levels the Fish Whistle is looking at $9,000 while the American Lady is looking at $55,000.
The second place tuna is a really nice 233 pound bigeye caught aboard the Magic Moment by Mark Hutchinson. Mark’s fish is currently worth $130,000 if it holds on.
The first place tuna is the 236.5 pound bigeye caught by Rich Kosztyu who was fishing on the Hubris. Rich’s fish will bring home $400,000 if it holds 0n for one more day.
Blue Marlin
Jim Conway still holds the only blue marlin on the leader board as we move into the final fishing day of the tournament. Jim caught a 790 pound blue marlin on the 36′ Get Reel on Monday and is currently looking at $150,000. If no other blue marlin is weighed before tomorrow night, Jim’s fish could be worth more than $250,000.
White Marlin
The person that will probably be most anxious tomorrow is Phil Heasley. Phil was fishing on the Kallianassa when he reeled in the only qualifying white marlin of the tournament. If Phil’s 76.5 pound white holds on for one more day of fishing he will cash a check for $2.4 Million.
There are only 28 boats left to fish on Friday, but there is nothing on the leader board that can’t be beat. I’ll bring you all of the winners tomorrow night after the scales close. If you want to watch it all unfold you can check out our live broadcast at www.whitemarlinopen.com
Outside of the tournament Kevin Downing caught a really nice 55.8 pound wahoo on the Playin’ Catch with Bob Borys.
The Morning Star with Captain Monty Hawkins had a good day with the flounder out on the rip today. Morning Star also had some sea bass and one false albacore come over the rail.
Captain Marc Spagnola of Dusk to Dawn Bowfishing had some good luck this afternoon putting his shooters on some nice southern rays.
Bear from the Oceanic Pier in downtown Ocean City submitted a photo of a young angler who caught a 16″ keeper flounder on one of the pier’s big minnows.
