Big payouts in WMO

As it turned out, 211 boats fished the final day of the White Marlin Open out of Ocean City, Md. and there were many changes in the results.

Bigger tuna were finally boated, but at least two of them were bluefins that weren’t allowed in the past — and will be protected after Tuesday when NOAA Fisheries shuts down the recreational fisheries for them.

Sea Hab boated a 188-pound bluefin to edge out a 186.5-pounder on Shorebilly for a $764,000 win after Mama C. led

. Billfisher hung on just barely with their 72-pound white marlin to earn over $3.9 million in the featured white marlin category for Dan Gough.

Michael Jordan’s Catch 23 was only a pound behind Billfisher, but ended up with a total of over $385000.

Barabara B boated the only blue marlin on the first day, and that 929.5-pounder plus a dolphin runner-up produced a payoff of over 1.240 million.

It took a week of fishing before the wahoo category was finally filled by Shooting Star with a 49.5-pounder.

Taylor Jean edged out Catch 23 for the Release Category win as Bob Wagner on that boat won as top angler.

The Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club’s White Marlin Invitational started today.

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The forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for southwest winds at 5 knots before increasing g to 10-15 in the afternoon.