by The 35th MidAtlantic tournament was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Thanks to Jeff Merrill for this info
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6The 35th MidAtlantic tournament ended last night and it was indeed one that will be talked about for a long time! A tournament record field of 208 boats battled over five days for a share of the event’s new record purse of $6,756,020 breaking the previous milestones for both set in 2021. There was also a new record payout of $1,477,980 to the blue marlin winner breaking the previous record set in 2023. Though the white marlin didn’t make as strong a showing in numbers as they have in previous years, the blue marlin were a completely different story. Of all the records set this year, by far the most impressive was the number of blue marlin caught. The 112 caught, including 107 released, shatters the previous record of 68 caught with 62 released set in 2019! Big eye tuna were noticeably scarce but several big Allison yellowfins filled the gap. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time an Allison yellowfin tuna over 172 pounds was weighed in the tournament.
After the brutal thunderstorms and torrential rain during the evening of Day Four, the morning dawned overcast and still quite breezy for the 172 boats, including 66 in Cape May and 106 in Ocean City that headed offshore on Day Five. Sea conditions remained quite sporty for most of the day and some boats picked away at white marlin with several catching three or more. The blue marlin bite dropped off a bit for the day after a torrid pace that saw 99 caught through the tournament’s first four days. On Day Five no billfish were weighed and although numerous tuna were weighed, none were able to break into the top three. Several dolphin were weighed and the first wahoo went up the scale as well.
With no white marlin weighed on Day Five there was a tie for the heaviest billfish in the category. Captain John Ball at the helm of Bob Mormile’s Cape May, New Jersey-based Lizanne weighed an 80-pounder for angler Andy Levy on Day Four. Robert Warder’s Boss Hogg from Ocean City, Maryland with Captain Alex Beane at the wheel weighed his 80-pounder angler Paul Hannum caught on Day Two. Although there was a tie Boss Hogg received $1,357,860 and Lizanne received $615,112 because of different levels of Calcutta (side bet) participation. Dale Plummer of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his ReelVille finished in third place with the 78-pounder which Brian Plummer caught on Day Three and received $602,317.
The blue marlin category also remained unchanged after Day Five. Ken Hager’s Taylor Jean based out of North Palm Beach, Florida with Captain Blaine Birch at the wheel held on to win the category with the 688-pound billfish caught on Day Four by angler Dave McKendrick for which Taylor Jean received a record payout of $1,477,980! Peter Cherasia’s Rumson, New Jersey-based Shark Byte with Captain Rich Barrett on the bridge finished in second place with the 599-pounder Cherasia caught on Day Two and received $634,145. Mike Yocco’s MJ’s from Cape May, New Jersey took third place with the 523-pounder angler Brandon Kape bested on Day Two and received $145,239.
In the tuna division there was also a tie. Matthew Garabedian’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Disciplined with Captain Hayden Browning at the helm weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Four for angler Ian Winslow. Chris Little of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 182-pound Allison yellowfin tuna on Day Two for angler Dan Caiola. Payouts differ slightly since Talkin’ Trash caught their tuna earlier in the week so they received $544,620 and Disciplined won $495,926. Captain Charles Vanderbek put Kirk Kellog’s Palm Beach, Florida-based Following Seas into a third-place finish with the 126-pound big eye weighed on Day Two for angler Trip Manley and won $196,124.
The dolphin category saw a complete shake-up on Day Five after Captain Travis Brown moved Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority from Morehead City, North Carolina to the top of the leaderboard with a 33-pounder for angler Joe Freeberry and won $106,651. Second place went to Ocean City, Maryland’s Nick Neary and Captain Lonnie Price aboard Lit Up for a 32-pounder and won $32,936. The third heaviest dolphin went to Jason Norton on Godzilla from Ocean City, Maryland for the 30-pounder Jake Freeman caught and was worth $16,468.
Interestingly no wahoo was weighed until Day Five, the final day of the tournament, when Captain Jonathon Cianciulli put Timothy Ryan’s Reel Blessed from Ocean City, New Jersey atop the leaderboard with a 58-pound ‘hoo for angler Will Shorman that was worth $85,656. Second place went Mike Yocco’s MJs from Cape May, New Jersey with a 21-pounder for angler Brandon Kape and won $61,014.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include George Robinson’s Polarizer, Mike Yocco’s MJ’s and Travis Cantrell’s Reel Priority with six white marlin released while Thomas Healy’s Elizabeth Anne released five white marlin. Anthony Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Jonathan Guarisco’s DMG and Charles Moore’s Mama Who each released four white marlin. Rob Charmichael’s Lights Out released three white marlin and one blue marlin. Tommy Hancock’s Dem Boys, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Eddie Wheler’s Cabana each released two white marlin and one blue marlin.
On Friday night award ceremonies were held at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland where a tournament record purse of $6,756,020 was handed out to 25 different winners. Worthy of note is two winners received checks of over $1.3 million including a tournament record payout of $1,477,980 to Taylor Jean for the heaviest blue marlin. Additionally, seven other winners received checks between $196,000 and $634,000 and five others received checks between $52,000 and $106,000.
Cash Prize Winners
Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Heaviest White Marlin (tie) – 80 lbs. – Boss Hogg – Robert Warder – Ocean City, MD – $1,377,456
80 lbs. – Lizanne – Bob Mormile – Cape May, NJ – $615,112
3rd Heaviest White Marlin – 78 lbs. – ReelVille – Dale Plummer – Ocean City, MD – $602,317
Heaviest Blue Marlin – 688 lbs. Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – North Palm Beach, FL – $1,477,980*
2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 599 lbs. – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $626,693
3rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 523 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $145,239
*Denotes tournament record payout
Heaviest Tuna (tie) – 182 lbs. – Talkin’ Trash – Chris Little – Ocean City, MD – $544,620
Disciplined – Matthew Garabedian – Palm Beach, FL – $495,926
3rd Heaviest Tuna – 126 lbs. – Following Seas – Kirk Kellog – Palm Beach, FL – $196,124
Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Reel Blessed – Timothy Ryan – Ocean City, NJ – $85,656
2nd Heaviest Wahoo – 21 lbs. – MJ’s – Mike Yocco – Cape May, NJ – $61,014
3rd Heaviest Wahoo – No winner
Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Reel Priority – Travis Cantrell – Morehead City, NC – $106,651
2nd Heaviest Dolphin – 32 lbs. – Lit Up – Nick Neary – Ocean City, MD – $32,936
3rd Heaviest Dolphin – 30 lbs. – Godzilla – Jason Norton – Ocean City, MD $16,468
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May
Most Points – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ – $12,420
2nd Most Points – 1049¾ – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ – $7,452
3rd Most Points – 825 – Polarizer – George Robinson – Cape May, NJ – $4,968
Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City
Most Points – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE – $32,660
2nd Most Points – 980 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD – $19,596
3rd Most Points – 975 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA – $13,064
The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament.
Cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters and the number of days on the leaderboard.
Blue Marlin
488 lbs. – Sea Striker – Adrian Holler – Morehead City, NC – $52,164
471 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Ocean City, MD – $34,066
Tuna
114 lbs. – Spring Mix II – Paul Lebling – Selbyville, MD – $63,414
109 lbs. – Beast – Bob Belansen – Palm Beach, FL – $25,024
105 lbs. – DMG – Jonathan Guarisco – Ocean City, MD – $8,464
104 lbs. – Volzatility – Andy Volz – NY, NY – $12,512
71 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $99,360
Dolphin
22 lbs. – Double Barrel – Nick Eubank – Delray Beach, FL – $6,256
Point Winners (Trophies)
Note ties are broken based on time of catch.
Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Cape May, NJ
2nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Game On – Bubba Roof – Stuart, FL
3rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Shark Byte – Peter Cherasia – Rumson, NJ
Most Points Blue Marlin – 1050 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
2nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Riptide – Thomas Ripley – Nantucket, MA
3rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 600 – Boss Hogg – Howard Berger – Ocean City, MD
Most Points Tuna – 154 – Talkin’ Trash – Christopher Little – Ocean City, MD
2nd Most Points Tuna – 133.5 – Alexa Ann – Kevin Kallmeyer – Palm Beach, FL
3rd Most Points Tuna – 119 – Nasty Habit – Walt Koller – Westfield, NJ
Most Points Overall – 1650 – Southern C’s – Bridget Johnson – Georgetown, DE
Catch Report
White Marlin released – 446
White Marlin weighed – 2
Blue Marlin released – 107
Blue Marlin weighed – 5
Tuna weighed – 47
Wahoo weighed – 4
Dolphin weighed – 11
*Note the total number of blue marlin caught, 112, is a new tournament record breaking the previous record of 6
Tight Lines 
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