The first of two “overtime” fishing days in the White Marlin Open out of Ocean City, Md. drew 58 boats,and featured a second place white marlin entry by Michael Jordan’s Catch 23. In addition to that 71-pounder that boat is also a leader in the release category. The contest concludes tomorrow.

There was bad news from NOAA Fisheries as all categories of bluefin tuna are being shut down Tuesday night.

The forecast is for NY/NJ Bight is for east winds at 5 knots before going south in the afternoon.

Due to rough seas, the 52nd White Marlin Open out of Ocean City, Md. was extended at the captains meeting through Sunday, rather than ending today. Continuing rough seas have been a problem, but many entrants still have fishing days left with which to try to upset the standings.

There are millions of dollars at stake, with Billfisher ‘s 72-pound white marlin set to pay out $4.27 million, while the only blue marlin of 929.5 pounds on Barbara B being worth over 1.2 million. The tuna leader is only 95 pounds on Mama C. and I’m still expecting one of the North Jersey bigeye tuna specialists to blow that division wide open. Only six boats went out today, which gives us a clue to how rough it was.

Capt. Ron Santee reported a very good day of fluking on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands.

“After paying our dues the past 2 days to get it done, today we were back on the Meat!! Knew we had a short window with the bite where I’ve been fishing got there and had a couple good drifts.

Bite died so we left it to the Bone pickers and headed for some better life.

Awesome action the rest of the day on the largest fish of the season. 7 fish over 5 pounds, the pool fish was a one ounce difference with Walter taking the pool with his 5 pound 12 ounce fish now leading the Monthly. Mark had a 5.11 for a very close second. Several limits on Quality fluke around the boat, too many to name.” T Fishermen is chartered Sunday’

The forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for east winds at just 5-10 knots. .

The White Marlin Open at Ocean City, Md. started in rough seas which resulted in extending the contest through Sunday, but may end up with the same problem.

There were still 197 boat days of fishing left as of today, but just 13 entrants braved the ocean this morning.

That’s good news for those with leads that may be worth millions if nothing changes. It was no surprise that Billfisher took over the white marlin lead yesterday with a 72-pounder for $4.2 million as that boat is a regular winner. Their good fortune resulted in the blue marlin leader, Barbara B., being dropped to a payoff of ‘just” 1.2 million.

Tuna is he most vulnerable category as Mama C leads at just 95 pounds. Usually, one of the North Jersey bigeye pros such as MJ’S, The Right Place and Blue Runner gets into a wolf pack of over 100-pounders that clears the leaderboard.

The Capt. Cal II from Belmar didn’t expect decent fluking in yesterday’s big swell, but it actually turned out well — though that may not be the case in the continuing northeast wind.

There’s plenty of time for everything to change in the White Marlin Open out of Ocean City. Md. , but Dan Gough is looking good for over $4 million on his Billfisher out of that port after boating the first white that made the contest’s double qualification of 70 inches and 70 pounds with his 72-pounder.

Due to rough seas at the start of the WMO, fishing days were extended to Sunday.

Thy may need those extra days to get a wahoo, and we’re still waiting for an explosion of large bigeye tuna.

Mama C took the tuna lead with a 95-pounder yesterday, no one is even close. Barbara B is all alone in blue marlin for aver a million with their 929.5-pounder, and also leads in dolphin at 32.50 pounds.

There was a lot of excitement this evening in Ocean City. Md. as the Special Situation docked with what appeared to be the first legal white marlin potentially worth millions. The 70-inch minimum length was no problem, but in this contest a white also has to weigh at least 70 pounds — this one only made 67 instead of “millions”.

Since rough seas prevailed during the captains meeting, the contest was extended through Sunday.

The White Marlin Open at Ocean City, Md. got off to fast start yesterday as most of the 282 boats got into the fight for a purse of $7.2 million. Very large blue marlin have been scarce in tournaments so far this year, but that problem was taken care of quickly as Barbara B weighed a 929.5-pounder. Ironically, that boat also took the lead in dolphin at 32.5 pounds.

Unfortunately, I was unable to access their Marlin Cam last night and only have limited information.

Tuna results were poor, and 52-pound yellowfins by C-Student and Bow Down are tied for first.

There are 212 boats fishing on Day 2 of the contest which runs to Aug. 8.

The 52nd White Marlin Open opened today in Ocean City Maryland with 282 boats fishing for $7.2 million through Aug. 8. If there are any outstanding catches today, I’ll add a blog late at night.

Anglers fishing Sunday’s fluke contests had to work hard for their entries, Walter Fisher reports no angler came close to the $25,000 for the first fluke over 11 pounds in the Grandpa Savino Memorial out of Great Kills. The largest weighed went 6.8 pounds. Th e Leonardo Fire Co. Fluke Masters hasn’t posted any results — which is the norm for that event.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar had decent fluking after the storm, though the best catch was a 41-lb black drum that hit a jig being dropped by Bucktails Dave.

N.Y. now has a fluke minimum pushed up to 19.5 inches with the same three-fish bag limit.

The marine forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for northeast winds at just 5 knots before going southeast in the afternoon.

The Viking from Montauk reported it was right back to good action with fluke and sea bass after the storm passed by. “Nice morning on the water and all of the kiddos had a blast. Congratulations to our first place pool winner, Casey Steinhert, from Dix Hills, NY, who caught a 7.8 lb Fluke. Another, congratulations to our second place pool winner, Roman Gerrats, from Harrison, NY, who caught a 7.4 lb Fluke.

Sorry for the late blog, but I was hoping to get some results from the fluke contests — which will be covered tomorrow.

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The marine forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for north winds at 5 knots before going southeast in the afternoon

With a northeaster blowing hard, both the Grandpa Savio Memorial at Great Kills and the Leonardo Fire Company Fluke Master contests were postponed to Sunday even though Saturday ended up being fishable. It’s going to be a real test of skill as northeast swells scour the bottom and create discolred waters. Fluking had reached a seasonal peak just before then, but getting bites may be much tougher tomorrow.

The forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for northeast winds at just 5 knots.

NYC Captain John McMurray reports large bluefin tuna are still available for casters before moving to the smaller yellowfins. One bluefin ended up with both a RonZ jig and a popper in its jaw!

Yesterday’s deluge and today’s northeaster will change everything in the fluke contests scheduled for this weekend. Dave Lilly reported that the Grandpa Savino Fluke Tournament out of Great Kills has been postponed to Sunday, but any change at the Leonardo Fire Company’s Fluke Masters will have to be discussed at the upcoming captains meeting. In any case, changes in strategy due to rough waters or bottom conditions will have to be altered for a winning catch.

A small craft advisory is up for 20-30 knot winds from Moriches to Fire Island this evening.

Capt. Ron Santee had to make some moves yesterday with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands before finding bigger fluke. :Anthony Pepe had the Hot hand landing a double limit on some quality fish. 8 customers all had their three and then some by days end. Lot’s of quality Fluke once again.

The high-light of the day goes to Kelly Riley who on the last day of the Monthly pool pulled out a beauty at 7 pounds 12 ounces along with his 3 keepers to take the daily & montly pools! Congrads to another awesome customer for always hanging in there. Kudo’s to Herb who held on to the end for 2nd place with his 6.13.“

The Big Mohawk had an epic day of fluking this week.