Tight Lines

My trip to with Crazy Alberto Knie to Marco Island lasted longer than expected, and this time the goliath groupers had the upper hand. More about that tomorrow.

Capt. Ron Santee reported some of the best fluking of the season on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands the last few days. He rated Saturday as a “10” as three six-pounders were boated, and many fares limited. A 5-pounder took Sunday’s pool as the volume also held up. A 7 1/4-pounder won Sunday’s pool, but the shift to southeast winds at 10-15 knots plus possible showers may be a problem tomorrow. Call to confirm if he’ll be fishing.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had another hot day of bluefish and chub mackerel fishing today. Most action was on bait, but some choppers hit poppers and jigs. There were some better-sized 7-8-pound blues the previous day. That boat is on a tuna trip tonight, and won’t be sailing for blues again until Wednesday.

After losing the internet at my home in Ft. Myers last week, I had to wait for a technician this morning. He replaced the modem and left — but then I was off again. Unable to get that guy back again, I was then surprised to get back on again. Since I’m headed out to fish tonight with Crazy Alberto Knie, I’ll just start to catch up.

Good news today from the Golden Eagle out of Belmar was a bite of chub mackerel before bluefish came on strong and most anglers added their 5-chopper limits.

Capt. Rob Santee started September in fine fashion when John Brock boated a 9 3/4-pound near-doormat on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. The only negative was that he was a day late for the August super pool. Another angler caught 44 fluke which included what would have been a double limit.

The Manasquan River Marlin & Tuna Club’s Offshore Open started off with a strong showing of bigeyes. I’ll try to get those results in the next blog.

Capt. Dave DeGennaro is running open for tuna on Labor Day with his Hi Flier from Barnegat, Call 732 330-5674 for the $450 spots.

There are times when old sayings are actually spot on. As noted in yesterday’s blog, the west wind forecast boded well for fluke anglers — and the following from Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands tells the story:

“Amazing what a West Wind & perfect drift will do for the Bite!

Non-stop action all day with multiple limits & Double limits around the boat. Bait worked the best.

Porgy, Sea Bass, Mac’s, Trigger fish & Bluefish in the mix also.

Jesse took with pool with a 6 pound 7 ounce beauty…Some nice pics once again.

Weather looks great for the next several day. Sailing 7:30am Open Boat, No Reservations just come on down. “

The Thursday forecast continues favorable with west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar saw lots of tuna during the weekly Inshore Exotics trip, but the breaking fish hadn’t read the proverb and weren’t hitting the usual offerings. Poppers tempted some of the 60-80-pound yellowfins — and they also had some dolphin.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant reported great action on their last dolphin trip with limits up to 18 pounds which included many of 6-12 pounds.

Capt. Ralph Leyrer of Last Lady from Belmar was catching his usual variety bottom fish consisting of ling, sea bass, fluke and triggerfish when a smooth puffer joined the party before being released. That largest of the puffer family used to be called rabbitfish in N.J., and is actually an oceanic species which only moves inshore occasionally. There was an unusual run of them off the northern N.J. Shore a few years ago, but this was my first report of smooth puffers there this year. In a previous blog I reported a run of them in Rhode Island which had the Health Dept. issuing warnings since the internal organs are as deadly as cyanide. These are blowfish that are often 5-10 pounds and fight.

Vinny D’Anton has been picking small stripers and blues from the Monmouth County surf every morning. “Walk the dog” surface lures have been most effective.

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The fluke were small, but still a thrill for Jersey Devil Fish Camp kids sailing on the Little Hawk and watching surfacing whales

I fished for tuna in the Atlantic for decades from Maryland to east of Block Island without ever losing one to a shark attack until a school bluefin run off northern New Jersey a few years ago. when it was almost impossible to get a school bluefin to the boat without a shark attack,. Yet, when a yellowfin run developed at the Triple Wrecks a few weeks later there was no problem just a bit further offshore. Unfortunately, that’s not the case this summer as I’m getting reports of sharks forcing yellowfin anglers to change locations rather than trying to fight off sharks.

The latest report came from Capt. Derek Bielitz on Fisher Price IV from Highlands, which was the boat I experienced the bluefin slaughter on while joining Chuck Many’s charter. Fortunately, there are summer offshore alternatives such as light tackle casting to school dolphin at lobster pot buoys, and deep drops for tilefish.

Surprisingly. I haven’t heard of shark attacks on even large little tunny such as this one held by Capt. John McMurray. Maybe the sharks have heard they’re not good eating!

At Atlantic Highlands, Capt. Ron Santee had a good start fluking with his Fishermen as Mrs. Kim took the pool with a fluke just short of 5 pounds. However, a south wind came up and the bite declined. With a west wind at 10-15 knots, that shouldn’t be a problem tomorrow.

The Prowler 5 got good drifts on sticky bottoms during Saturday’s trip as a Pa, angler boated one of those rare doormats at 11.99 pounds. They also had a 9.8-pounder, a 7 and two 6-pound fluke.

Today was a beautiful one for fishing in NY/NJ Bight, and both bluefish and fluke were cooperating for party boat anglers. Light winds continue tomorrow.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported it was mostly blues from 3-6 pounds along with chub mackerel and some two-fish sea bass limits plus a special treat when a 20-pound cobia was boated. The boat is on a tuna trip tomorrow and won’t be back to blues until Wednesday.

Capt. Ron Santee liked that weather for fluke fishing on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands.

There was a good pick in calm waters as both a fluke and a sea bass of 4 pounds were boated.

Bob Matthews reports from Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina as follows:

“We are seeing a gradual change in the fishing, there are large quantities of bait moving and game fish hunting them down. The Fluke are on the move and we are seeing larger fish on the boats on thenear shore reefs.The fluke are appearing in better numbers and sizes in the surf as they make a move out of the rivers.The stripers are more abundent and feeding on the peanut bunker,spearing andmullet.The Bluefish are providing action along with the chub mackerel on the party boats.There are a good number of Spanish Mackerel and Mahi Mahi caught whilefishing for the Tuna. The Cobia and Wahoo are also on the menu for our offshore hunters. Last but not least is the variety of sharks in our waters this year.”

Paul Haertel of the JCAA found Friday evening off Barnegat to be a good time to catch fluke up to a 7.7-pounder.

Capt. Ron Santee described yesterday’s surprising trip on his Fishermen out of Atlantig Highlands as follows:

“Quality Fluke once again as Mark & Brother John Hrubic landed 4 Beauties. John’s first fish went 6 pounds 10 ounces and was the New Big pool leader that is until Brother Mark Hooked into his Monster at 8 pounds 1 ounce!”

There was a surprising lack of reports today. The Monday forecast is for southeast winds at 5-10 knots.

My blog earlier this afternoon contained Jeff Merrill’s wrap-up of the MidAtlantic. While that was attracting attention, there were some good catches in NY/NJ Bight.

Capt. Joe Massa ran his My Three Sons over to the Rockaways on Friday with a live well full of live bunkers he castnetted — and fed one of them to a bluefin of 80 inches (see photo below) which can’t be retained under the present regulations. Though Massa had never caught a giant before, he had no problem cranking it in from the 50-foot depths with the big game rod in a swiveling rod holder. That commercial method of fighting giants is efficient, but isn’t a sportfishing catch — and doesn’t provide the thrill of actually fighting a giant with a rod. With giants in such shallow waters, it’s possible to use lighter tackle with enough braided line to tackle giants which can’t beat you by going down. I wish I had this opportunity when I was into giant fishing — but at 86 I’ll leave that to the young bucks!

Many southern species move north in late summer, but I never heard of a tripletail in N.J. before. I’ve only fished for them in Florida around channel markers and crab trap buoys, but they’re actually oceanic fish which hang around weed lines and floating debris. That’s where Steve Caponi of Hazlet found one that hit a Tsunami Shad being cast to school dolphin offshore of Highlands. Steve weighed the 17 1/2-incher in at the Tackle Box in Hazlet at 3 1/2 pounds. Though the state doesn’t have a record for the species, Steve is submitting it for such a designation.

Follwing is Jeff Merrill’s final wrap-up:

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

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Jeff Merrill

Customer Communication

South Jersey Marina

908-451-1110

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

-30-

Jeff Merrill

Customer Communication

South Jersey Marina

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

-30-

Jeff Merrill

Customer Communication

South Jersey Marina

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

-30-

Jeff Merrill

Customer Communication

South Jersey Marina

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

-30-

Jeff Merrill

Customer Communication

South Jersey Marina

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

-30-

Jeff Merrill

Customer Communication

South Jersey Marina

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

-30-

Jeff Merrill

Customer Communication

South Jersey Marina

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

-30-

Jeff Merrill

Customer Communication

South Jersey Marina

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

-30-

Jeff Merrill

Customer Communication

South Jersey Marina

A Dramatic Finish and a Tournament Record Highlight the Final Day 

 as 31^st MidAtlantic Comes to a Close

It was bound to happen.  Day Five at the MidAtlantic has a history of dramatic finishes and 2022 would be no different.  Many a crewmember has spent the night before the final day of the tournament tossing and turning as they nervously await the end of the final day of fishing.  Way back in 1997 the phrase “Moving Day” was first used for Day Five at this event because of the big changes that occur to the leaderboard.  Fortunes have been made and dashed over the years and 2022 would be no different as Day Five saw several major changes and a new tournament record set as well!  The final day of fishing saw the largest fleet of the week head offshore as 160 boats had Day Five of the tournament left to fish and hopefully get a piece of the tournament’s $5.23 million purse. 

Going into the final day of fishing Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 sat atop the leaderboard in the white marlin category with his 73-pounder followed by Vero Beach, Florida’s Matthew Weber aboard his Max Bet with a 65 pounder.  The tournament fleet, including Jordan and Weber, both veterans of this event, knew those two fish were beatable and although the numbers of white marlin caught grew as the week wore on, finding one to meet the 69-inch, 65-pound minimum was proving to be difficult.  As the weigh-in session got underway word began to leak out of boated white marlin of significant length that could potentially shake up the leaderboard.  The sun was beginning to set as Captain Steve Castellini backed the Kaarmaa of Millstone, New Jersey’s Anthony Alves to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May with a white marlin to weigh for Alves who was also the angler.  As the billfish was hoisted from the boat it was clear this fish was going to challenge the top two fish on the board.  After taking the measurement the marlin was hoisted to the scale and Weighmaster Chris Booth confirmed the weight of 75 pounds to put Kaarmaa in the lead of the category.  However, word began to spread of another white marlin coming to Cape May and just 30 minutes later Captain Michael Pintozzi of Langhorne, Pennsylvania pulled up to the scale with his Random Chaos to weigh a white marlin for angler Tom Jarvis.  As the crowd of tournament participants looked on the billfish was placed on the scale and the weight of 66 pounds was announced to put Random Chaos in third place.  In the end Kaarmaa’s 75-pounder took the top spot in the category and won $871,404.  Catch 23’s 73-pounder caught on Day Three was second and received $693,615 while Random Chaos held on to third place and won $192,165.

The blue marlin category was hotly contested all week long and the 56 blues caught is the second highest in the tournament’s tenure topped only by the 68 blues caught in 2019.  As has been the case in several Day Five’s at the MidAtlantic over the years, darkness would cover Canyon Club Resort Marina as a blue marlin would be weighed and this year it would be the final fish weighed in the tournament.  The Avalon, New Jersey-based Low Profile of Captain Joe Trainor had a blue marlin on the deck that taped out at 122¾” which angler Ken Wibble battled for well over three hours before being boated.  As the huge billfish was hoisted to the scale and positioned you could hear a pin drop and moments later the weight of 657 pounds was announced by Weighmaster Chris Booth.  Low Profile took home $576,209 for the heaviest blue marlin while Robert Boyce of Key Largo, Florida finished in second place aboard his Lucky 7 and won $168,625 for his 619-pounder caught on Day Four.  Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania aboard his Kilo Charlie took third place and received $580,119 for his 607-pounder caught on Day Three.  Worthy of note for the second consecutive year the top three blue marlin in the tournament were all over 600 pounds. 

The tuna category was another competitive category as no less than 86 of that species were weighed.  Although yellowfins were plentiful, big eyes were scarce and only three were weighed during the week and none of the tuna weighed on Day Five made a run at the leaders.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard his Lucky Duck took the top prize of $290,050 in the category with a big eye of 210 pounds caught on Day Four.  For the second consecutive year a boat would win two places in the category and this year it was Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place who took second and third place with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds caught on Day One and won a total of $793,014 for both places.  

The wahoo division saw a complete overhaul of the category on Day Five and the top prize of $65,729 went to Plantation, Florida’s Charles Phelan aboard his Special Situation for a tournament record 104-pounder which breaks the previous tournament record of 97 pounds set by Bill Gallo aboard his Joanna back in 2009.  Second place went to Keith Boyd of Ivyland, Pennsylvania aboard his Craftsmanship with a 72-pounder worth $57,528.  Third place and $14,570 goes to Mike Penza of North Palm Beach, Florida aboard his Oil Slick for a 46-pounder.             

The dolphin category saw Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine aboard his Valentine win $78,231 for a 43- pounder caught on Day Four.  Billy Wrede of Randolph, New Jersey aboard Lovin’ Life finished second with a 39- pounder and won $34,874, also caught on Day Four.  Donnie White of Pottstown, Pennsylvania aboard his Sea Wolf finished in third place with a 33-pound dolphin weighed on Day Five and won $24,722.       

Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on Day Five include Ed Dunn’s D.A. Sea with six white marlin and one blue marlin released.  Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere released three white marlin and a blue marlin.  Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos and Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise each released a blue marlin.  Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin while Rob Gothier’s Bar South, Frank Goodhart’s Brenda Lou and Dave Smith’s Code Blu each released four white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal each released three white marlin.

Cash Prize Winners

Note that cash payouts vary by the level of calcuttas a participant enters.

Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Kaarmaa – Anthony Alves – Millstone, NJ – $871,404  

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 73 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $658,045

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 66 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $95,364

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 657 lbs. – Low Profile – Joe Trainor – Avalon, NJ – $576,209

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 619 lbs. – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $161,011

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 607 lbs. – Kilo Charlie – Christopher Kinsley – Seven Valleys, PA – $580,119

Heaviest Tuna – 210 lbs. – Lucky Duck – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $290,050

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 193 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $604,376

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 152 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $188,638  

* Heaviest Wahoo – 104 lbs. – Special Situation – Charles Phelan – Plantation, FL – $65,729 

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 72 lbs. – Craftsmanship – Keith Boyd – Ivyland, PA – $57,528

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 46 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $14,570

* New tournament record

Heaviest Dolphin – 43 lbs. – Valentine – Joseph Valentine – Fort Pierce, FL – $78,231

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 39 lbs. – Lovin’ Life – Billy Wrede – Randolph, NJ – $34,874

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Donnie White – Pottstown, PA – $24,722 

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,690

2^nd Most Points – 604¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL – $7,614 

3^rd Most Points – 600 – Outrage – John Dougherty – Villanova, PA – $5,076

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $23,790

2^nd Most Points – 868 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA – $14,382

3^rd Most Points – 825 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL – $9,588

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. 

White Marlin

65 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $276,021

65 lbs. – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $39,668

Blue Marlin

539 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $47,752

528 lbs. – Oil Slick – Michael Penza – North Palm Beach, FL – $11,468

494 lbs. – D.A. Sea – Edward Dunn – Grasonville, MD – $267,937

490 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

469 lbs. – Three’s Enough – Justin Branning – Manasquan, NJ – $24,665

461 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $29,365

414 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $24,402

Tuna

88 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,054

84 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $32,336

82 lbs. – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – No Quarter – Michael Peet – New Castle, DE – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

82 lbs. – Catch 23 – Michael Jordan – Jupiter, FL – $3,233

82 lbs. – C-Student – Keely Megarity – Houston, TX – $3,233

80 lbs. – Random Chaos – Michael Pintozzi – Langhorne, PA – $32,373

70 lbs. – Endorphin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $8,272

69 lbs. – Tara Jessica – Gregory Wendell – Owings Mills, MD – $4,136

Point Winners (Trophies)

Note ties are broken based on time of catch.

Most Points White Marlin – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Bar South – Rob Gothier, Jr. – York, PA

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 750 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Quick Raise – Joe Bernert – Hatboro, PA

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 304¾ – Lucky 7 – Robert Boyce – Key Largo, FL

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 300 – Reel Joy – John Gudelsky – Singer Island, FL

Most Points Tuna – 174½ – Double R – Rob Rowe – Jacksonville, FL

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 172½ – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 168½ – Reel Chaos – Donna Matarese – Pennsville, NJ

Most Points Overall – 1040 – Max Bet – Matthew Weber – Vero Beach, FL

Catch Report

White marlin released – 320

White marlin boated – 14

Blue marlin released – 41

Blue marlin boated – 15

Tuna weighed – 86

Wahoo weighed – 9

Dolphin weighed – 18

Rather than focus on awarding a single large payout for one winning fish, the MidAtlantic tournament prize structure is designed to award large payouts to multiple winners and this year was no different.  Four winners received checks of $576 thousand or more while five more received checks of $168 thousand or more.  An additional five winners received checks of $57 thousand or more.    

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.

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The scales closed at 9, and they needed the rest as there were big changes right up to the end. Jeff Merrill’s official wrap-up hasn’t been published as yet, so I’ll provide fthe highlights.

The abundance of big blue marlin continued, and hit a peak at the end with a 657-pounder on Low Profile.

Michael Jorden started in first in white marlin and a $1.6 million payout on his Catch 23, but that category filled in — and his 73-pound leader was displaced by Kaarma with a 75-pounder for the biggest money. Special Situation set a tournament record with a 104-pound wahoo!

If Jeff’s wrap-up doesn’t come in shortly, I’ll publish it early in the morning. It takes time to sort out millions in earnings.

Since there hasn’t been any notable showing of large blue marlin since a successful Big Rock Tournament in the spring out of Morehead City, N.C. , it was surprising to see so many of those fish over the 400-pound tournament minimum being weighed in the last two days at The MidAtlantic. All that is detailed in last night’s late blog. As previously noted, tournament records continued to fall last year on the final day, and the weather looks good for the 146 boats fishing their last day.

There were also quite a few white marlin caught yesterday, and some that made the minimum length were brought in — though all failed to match the 65-pound minimum. That was good news for Michael Jorden as his 73-pounder on Catch 23 stands to win $1,674,134 if everything ends as is.

I also speculated that Bob Hugin;s bigeye tuna on The Right Place might not stand up since bigeyes over 200 pounds have been winning this summer’s contests. That’s what happened as Luck Duck weighed a 210-pounder. Yet, Hugin holds onto second and third which could be worth big money. The pay-offs depend on how many Calcuttas a boat is entered in, and can result in a smaller entry winning more money.

Check back tonight after all the results are posted in a late blog.

The Jamaica from Brielle has added a tilefish trip departing at 10 p.m. Sept. 5,. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.

Capt. Ron Santee has been fighting lack of drift for fluke fishing on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Today he had too much, but still managed a decent catch up to a pool fluke of 4 pounds, 11 ounces. The monthly pool leader stands at 6.5 pounds.

Small craft warnings are up from 4 p.m. to late tonight. The NY/NJ Bight Saturday forecast is for northwest winds at just 5-10 knots.

Chuck Many is finding even more red drum while experimenting with his new boat, Isabella, at Hilton Head, S.C.