First day of MidAtlantic was a success

Following is Jeff Merrill’s report on the first day of fishing in the MidAtlantic out of Cape May, N.J. and Ocean City, Maryland.

“The remnants of Hurricane Ernesto had moved far north and offshore but left behind a swell that made conditions offshore a bit sporty for the 88 boats that gave it a go on Day One. MidAtlantic event staff worked late into the night tallying calcutta entries and the unofficial purse is set at over $5.7 million with a field of 198 boats. The scales at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland were busy shortly after the evening’s weigh-in session got underway at 5 PM. The white marlin category currently has a 74-pounder atop the leaderboard for Trappe, Maryland’s Mark Murphy aboard his Leslie Ann for angler Mike Bradley. Wayne Franks of Royersford, Pennsylvania aboard his Wayne’s World is currently in second place with a 67-pounder for angler Fred Tuttle. Third place remains vacant.

The other big news of the day came in the tuna division where all three places were filled today. Currently Steven Pilipauskis of Harwood, Maryland aboard his Reel Tight took the early lead in the category after weighing a 180-pound big eye for angler Nick Marcinkowski. Val Fichera’s Warden Pass is in second place with a 174-pound big eye for angler Frank Rao. Third place currently belongs to Dan Fabri and his Cape May, New Jersey-based El Jefe with a 57-pound yellowfin. No qualifying blue marlin, dolphin or wahoo were weighed on Day One.

Some of the boats with significant billfish releases today include David Reeve’s Pachanga with four white marlin and two blue marlin let go. Matthew Weber’s Max Bet released seven white marlin while Charles Moore’s Mama Who and Jeff Crabtree’s Pipe Down each released six white marlin. Martin Judge aboard his Judge and Michael Jordan’s Catch 23 each released five white marlin today. Pat Healey’s Viking 82 released three white marlin. John Gudelsky’s Reel Joy released two blue marlin and one white marlin.”

In addition, frequent tournament winner Billfisher boated a blue marlin that was long enough to be weighed, but failed to make the 400-pound minimum weight.