$6.2 million blue marlin led payoffs at WMO

After the 400-boat field failed to hook a marlin big enough to weigh all week, Floor Reel came through with a worthy winner on the last day as John Ols won $ 6.2 million for a 640.5-pound blue marlin. There was some confusion at first as Skirt Chaser brought in a white marlin of the proper length only to watch it weighed at 67.5 pounds — below the additional 70-pound minimum. Then a blue marlin was submitted by another boat, but was two inches short of the minimum.

As the WMO notes “The blue marlin from the Floor Real left no doubt when it was measured at 118” in the boat before electrifying the crowd while tipping the scales at 640.5 pounds. It proved to be the only qualifying billfish and wins most of the money for both white and blue marlin. The $6.2 million won sets a new world record for the catch of a fish, breaking the previous world record of $4.45 million won in last year’s Open by Jeremy Duffie for his 77.5-pound white marlin.

Two new millionaires were minted in the tuna categories. Ro Sham Bo out of Ocean City, MD weighed a 215 bigeye tuna caught by Rusty Shriver of Leonardtown, MD. The fish won all $1,700,000 in the $50K winner take all level because no white marlin or blue marlin were caught in that division and all prize money was diverted to the top tuna.”

I’ll have more info after official results are posted.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported plenty of small blues this morning right outside the inlet. When that jigging slowed, they drifted for sea bass and fluke.

Capt. Ron Santee found no wind or drift with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, but managed to put together a fluke catch topped by a new monthly leader as Mr. Kim boated a 7 3/4-pounder. The Fishermen is chartered tomorrow.

The forecast is for southwest winds at just 5-10 knots with possible showers.