Jeff Merrill reports on the MidAtlantic Tournament as follows:

“It’s Day Three and we’ve reached the midway point of the 2024 MidAtlantic tournament. The cool breeze of the past couple days continues and although refreshing, a more favorable offshore forecast for the remaining two days of the tournament kept much of the tournament fleet tied to the host marinas in Cape May and Ocean City today. That being said, 50 boats, including 15 from Cape May and 35 from Ocean City headed out on Day Three. Reports relayed from offshore indicated sea conditions had improved dramatically from yesterday afternoon’s rough ride home. With nearly the entire tournament fleet fishing the remaining two days of the tournament, there was plenty of work to do dockside today. A walk around the docks of the host marinas found crews rigging baits, spooling reels with fresh line, loading provisions, fueling their vessels and completing other routine boat and gear maintenance. By late afternoon, guests and other crew members were returning to their boats from a trip home, shopping or spending the day at the pool or on one of the beautiful beaches of Cape May and Ocean City.

Though both billfish and the tuna categories remained unchanged, we now have a qualifying dolphin and the wahoo category has been filled as two were weighed today. The evening’s weigh-in session got underway when Charleston, South Carolina’s William Garmany wheeled his Reel Current to the scale at Sunset Marina and weighed a 22-pound dolphin for angler James Pruitt to lead the category. Second and third place are vacant. In the wahoo division, Christopher Little of Pasadena, Maryland aboard his Talkin’ Trash weighed a 29-pounder today for angler Keith Culler and sits in second place. Shane Moore of Jarrettsville, Maryland weighed a 25-pounder today for angler Luke Reeder on the Moore Bills and currently sits in third place. Jupiter, Florida’s Mary Naylor remains atop the leaderboard in the category with the 76-pounder caught on her Lil’ Crum and weighed on Day Two. Worthy of note, no qualifying blue marlin has been weighed through three days of fishing.”

Capt. Ron Santee Jr. had good fluking with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands on Wednesday when Sam boated an 8 7/16-pounder that was just six ounces short of the monthly pool leader.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Millions will be on the line as fishing in the MidAtlantic Tournament gets underway today.

The biggest money is in white marlin for which there’s both a minimum length of 69 inches and 65 pounds to weigh in. Blue marlin must be at least 102 inches. Tuna start at 50 pounds, while dolphin and wahoo have to be at least 10 pounds.

Boaters can choose any three of the five days for fishing. I’ll forward Jeff Merrill’s daily updates when received.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant had a tuna trip last week which produced a few yellowfins plus others lost. Jigging inshore for small blues has been consistent — as has it’s been for the Golden Eagle from Belmar.

Striper pro Chuck Many reports “With the sloppy ocean, mixed it up with Cesar Carranza and decided to catch some bait (Spot & Croaker) & then feed them to some hungry Bass. Fun day!!! The great bait bite was definitely a highlight!! Got to thank Tackle Box Fishing Co. for the Lugworms!! They were fire for Spot, Croaker & and few weakfish.”

A small craft advisory is up for northwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 and seas up to 6 feet.

With Ernesto heading far to the northeast, the biggest and best of Atlantic coast offshore fishing tournaments looks to be in good shape for this week’s fishing.

The captains meeting for the MidAtlantic in Cape May, N.J. is ongoing as this was written, but 164 boats were already signed up before that.

This contest is very professionally summarized every night by Jeff Merrill, and I’ll pass that report along each night.

A small craft advisory is up through late Monday night, but that seems to be primarily about large seas. The forecast is for only southwest winds at 5-10 knots though seas could be up to 8 feet –which can create dangerous conditions at inlets. Try to avoid returning to inlets toward the end of the outgoing tide.

Chuck Many reports “Went out Sunday with Alex Katyan & Chrisper Fishin for a day of No Fish Shaming! Goal was to see if we could catch a dozen Species. Funny thing is once you’re trying to catch them, they suddenly become an endangered species!! Was really fun and the Excitement of a double header Skate/Sea Robin or a Whistle Fish Oyster Cracker was unmatched. Ended with 13 Species, which sets a high bar for our next outing. Species were: Striped Bass, Porgy, Dogfish, Sea Bass, Fluke, Bluefish, Chub Mackerel, Skate, Spot, Croaker, Oyster Cracker, Grunt, Sea Robin.”

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All reactions:

99Frank Mihalic, Gen Wong and 97 othersWent out Sunday with Alex Katyan & Chrisper Fishin for a day of No Fish Shaming! Goal was to see if we could catch a dozen Species. Funny thing is once you’re trying to catch them, they suddenly become an endangered species!! Was really fun and the Excitement of a double header Skate/Sea Robin or a Whistle Fish Oyster Cracker was unmatched. Ended with 13 Species, which sets a high bar for our next outing. Species were: Striped Bass, Porgy, Dogfish, Sea Bass, Fluke, Bluefish, Chub Mackerel, Skate, Spot, Croaker, Oyster Cracker, Grunt, Sea Robin.

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Striper pro Chuck Many took a day this week to see how many different species his crew could catch from His Tyman out of Highlands ,but followed that with a tuna trip that ended with an empty spinning reel. As he noted, “This is what happens when you take a knife to a gun fight.”

NYC Capt. John McMurray says there are so many school bluefins within his range that they can be counted on — though much bigger ones keep jumping on the lighter tackle which usually results in a break-off after a long fight.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr. had a new monthly fluke leader for the third time this week during Friday’s trip on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Frank not only caught six keeper-size fluke, but topped his catch with an 8 13/16-pounder. Due to lack of drift, Ron had to work the throttles all day — though that worked out well by being able to work small spots.

The White Marlin Invitational ended yesterday. There’s not much info on their site, but it appears that Fishin’ Fever maintained it’s first day catch which included bigeyes of 204.5 and 175.5 pounds. Other tuna caught were under 60 pounds. Business led in White Marlin release points.

A small craft advisory is up through late Sunday night. That is primarily due to the large swell with seas of 4-8-feet. The forecast is for southeast winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 and possible showers or thunderstorms.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a great day jigging 2-4-[pound blues plus spme bomito.

Anglers wishing to limit out on small blues by jigging had no problem doing so today on the Golden Eagle from Belmar. Diamond jigs were just fine as the choppers hit deep when not on top. Some bonito were added.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr. got off to a good start with fluke on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands before having to pick away when he lost the tide. Many anglers had limits. That boat is chartered on Saturday,

Fishin’ Fever weighed a 203.5-pound bigeye tuna during yesterday’s opening of the Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club’s 55th White Marlin Invitational. Some other tuna were weighed, but the site is such a mess that I have no idea who’s leading in what.

More good weather is forecast with west winds iat 5 knots n the morning before gusting to 20 in the afternoon.

The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant may have room on Sunday’s fluke and bottom fishing open trip. Call 732 370-9019.

Capt. Mark De Blasio of the Blue Runner from Point Pleasant reported “Had Justin Lewis and crew out yesterday. Left later than usual and started off with some Mahi fishing. Around 5pm set out the Tuna gear and quickly had a single bite that resulted in a nice Bigeye on deck. Set back out and shortly afterwards had a nice mark and looked back and saw a Wolfpack of Bigeyes fighting with each other to eat everything behind the boat. Came tight on 5 which was a challenge with a 4 man crew. Managed to get all 5 boat side and killed 3. With 4 nice Bigeyes in the box the guys said point her home. We could have stayed and loaded up on them as they were chewing.”s

Bob Correll reports that he trolled barely out of sight of the Shore yesterday on Mike Heaney’s October Sky out of Manasquan Inlet as Mike Mercurio joined in the trolling catch of five bluefin tuna in the 30-35-pound class. A small boat in the fleet north of Little Italy had a much larger tuna on, but it was eventually lost. Some tuna were also jigged, but that was best very early.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr. had a new monthly pool leader yesterday on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as Scott Scuderi boated a 5 13/16-pound fluke. However, that didn’t make it past today as Wade Ryerson caught a 6 9/16-pounder. Several other large fluke were also added.

The forecast remains excellent with 5-10 knot winds from the west and then southwest as showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon.

The 54th White Marlin Invitational, run by the Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club, holds their captains meeting tonight before starting fishing tomorrow as entrants select two out of three days to run offshore.

The inshore weather forecast is fine, with west winds at 5-10 knots before going southwest in the afternoon.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a charter last night that produced lots of 2-4-pound blues on jigs.