New white marlin leader in MidAtlantic

Jeff Merrill reports from the MidAtlantic in Cape May as follows:

A taste of fall weather swept across the mid-Atlantic region overnight into Day Two of the 33rd MidAtlantic tournament bringing cool temperatures and a sustained northwest breeze that did little to flatten the sporty sea conditions the fleet found the day before. On the day, 62 boats headed offshore including 33 from Cape May and 29 from Ocean City. With a final audit of calcutta entries now completed, the total cash purse is set at $5,752,760, the third largest in the events 33-year history.

Once again, the evening’s weigh-in session got going early as Captain Steve Castellini backed Anthony Alves’ of Millstone, New Jersey and his Kaarmaa to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler. The billfish taped-out at 69¼” so up the scale it went where moments later Weighmaster Chris Booth announced the weight of 77 pounds which moved Kaarmaa into the lead in the white marlin category. Trappe, Maryland’s Mark Murphy aboard his Leslie Ann remains in second place with his 74-pounder caught on Day One. Wayne Franks of Royersford, Pennsylvania is now in third place with the 67-pounder, also caught on Day One on his Wayne’s World.

In other news from Day Two, Mary Naylor of Jupiter, Florida aboard her Lil’ Crum weighed a 76-pound wahoo for angler Jack Albro to take the lead in the category. Second and third place remain vacant. Additionally, no dolphin or qualifying blue marlin has been weighed as of the close of Day Two.

The tuna category remains unchanged with Steven Pilipauskis of Harwood, Maryland at the top with his Reel Tight and the 180-pound big eye caught on Day One. Val Fichera on his Warden Pass based in Cape May, New Jersey remains in second place with his 174-pound big eye, also caught on Day One. Dan Fabri of Cape May, New Jersey is still in third place with his El Jefe and a the 57-pound yellowfin caught on Day One.

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Two include Paul Robertson’s FFMD with four white marlin while James Horning’s Hog Wild and Rob Rowe’s Double R each released three white marlin. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean, Paul Spencer’s Secotan and Hunter Geddes’ Geddy Up each released two white marlin. Jay Mascaro’s Meraki and John Belansen’s Beast released a blue marlin”

Bluefish jigging has been holding up on the Golden Eagle from Belmar. Most of the blues are small, but a few of 5-6-pounds are included plus bonito and sea bass.

The inshore forecast is for west winds of 10 knots with seas down to 2-3 feet.