Posted on August 5th, 2018
I just returned from a busy day with Dave Messick as we at Hooked on OC prep to bring you the live broadcast of the 45th Annual White Marlin Open starting tomorrow at 3:30 PM. We shot video at Quiet Storm Surf Shop, Atlantic Tackle and Sunset Marina and all of the locations were abuzz with activity as spectators and participants prepare for what will likely be the busiest week of the entire summer. I got word a little while ago that just like the rest of the fishing tournaments in Ocean City this summer, the 45th Annual White Marlin Open will have terrific participation and a record purse. At the end of sign ups this evening 382 boats had registered and over $5.45 Million in prize money had been counted. There is definitely the possibility of a fish worth way north of $2 Million this week. The weather for this week looks absolutely beautiful too so most boats will be able to pick their three days no problem. Historically Monday is a heavily fished day and I wouldn’t be surprised to see most of the 382 boats on the water tomorrow. That means that tomorrow’s scales action could be really, really good. If you can’t get down to the official scale and Harbor Island make sure you check out our live broadcast at www.whitemarlinopen.com where we will start coverage at 3:30 PM. We’re also giving away a pair of Costa sunglasses every day and the only way to find out how to win is by tuning in between 3:30 and 4 PM. Make sure you check back right here all week as well as I’ll be bringing you the Daily Angle with full White Marlin Open coverage. Good luck and safe travels to all of the anglers and crews this week!!
Outside of tournament prep there has been a pretty good bite for bluefin tuna around 20-30 fathoms and I’m sure this will be in someone’s tuna fishing strategy this week. Today Curt Presnell chunked up a couple of nice fish.
Matt Reilly caught his first ever tuna and Alison Sokolik added another while fishing with Tom Patania on the Mrs. L II near Massey’s Canyon.
The bottom fishing bite in the ocean was good for the local party boat fleet today. Captain Monty Hawkins reported in that he had to work for it today, but was able to get it done. Missy Zelfman of Thurmond, MD, Betty Horvath of Easton, MD, Shawn Pierce of Cincinnati, OH, DJ Hutton of Baltimore, MD, Marshall Harrison of Bowie, MD, Carter and Jeff Finney of Princess Anne, MD and “Flounder” George Henning of Ocean City, MD display a nice catch of flounder along with a few hefty sea bass and one really nice mahi caught on the troll.
Captain Chris Mizurak of the party boat Angler reported good bottom fishing today as well with several nice flounder and sea bass making it into his clients coolers.
Captain John Prather of Ocean City Guide Service even got out to the ocean and fished some structure today and put some fish in the box. Captain John had several nice keeper flounder come home and one cobia that was released.
Chasin’ Tides Charters with Captain Chase Eberle was out for some fun catch and release shark fishing where he put his young anglers on a couple of different shark species including sand tigers over 6′.
Captain Marc Spagnola of Dusk to Dawn Bowfishing had another successful day of hunting today putting his shooters on some good cow nosed and southern ray action.
I’m hopeful that with the nice weather this week combined with the number of boats that will be on the water that Blume’s Balloon Round Up will hit their goal of 1,000 balloons out of the water. Joshua and Emily set the goal for the entire summer so it would be super cool for them to surpass it during the White Marlin Open. They are currently at 831 balloons recovered so I’m confident that they’ll reach 1,000 real soon.
