Here we go boys and girls ... that final day in the WMO is on the water
While fishing is almost always crazy, Friday was stranger than most.
The 53rd annual White Marlin Open saw 237 of its 334 teams in a hot competition to get on various leaderboards, and, God willing, to be looking at some enormous prize money.
But for the first time in this year’s six day event, there were no lead changes.
Yeah, quite a few boats won daily and various other small entry level checks.
But none of them had that million dollar light shined on them.
So that leaves 79 teams to battle it out for that slim bit of luck that could change everything.
Don’t count any one of them out.
All it takes is that one bite that turns into a celebration moment only a handful of anglers have ever hoped to experience.
And with nine of the top 10 money boats having already fished their allotted three days, anxiety and excitement could take over this afternoon’s weigh-ins.
After today’s final outing, the scales will close at 9:15 p.m.
As it stands now, the current top four boats on the money-winning list - Mister Pete, Bull Pen, MaxBet and Gray Fox - are hoping to bank a combined total of $7,692,665 out of the event’s announced $9.9 total payout.
Two teams - Reel Hunter and Catchin or Cussin - are hoping to pocket a combined $592,197.
Keep in mind, exact totals will shift around after the wakes settle this evening.
So, those in the lead of several big-money divisions are left to bite their nails as they listen to the tournament radio channel.
Some will join the party scene at the scales, others will sit on their boats and try to relax until the final standings are announced.
Sitting in the marque seat is the Mister Pete of Charleston, S.C. Angler Bill Sharpe of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., reeled in the namesake white marlin leader on Thursday with an 80-pounder that could bank the crew $3.5 million.
Reel Hunter of St. Michaels, Md., moved into second Friday with a 71.5-pounder caught by Kevin Howell of Queenstown, Md. But that fish could only be worth $355,457 because of levels of entry - pushing Bull Pen of Charleston into third. The team’s 70-pounder, caught by Charleston’s James Hood, could bank the group $1.8 million because it entered all divisions.
When Kelly Weber of Vero Beach, Fla., brought her blue marlin to the scales, she set up her team on the Vero-based MaxBet to win $1.3 million with her 607.5-pounder.
Gray Fox of Mantoloking, N.J., is doubled up by leading the tuna division with a 179-pounder and the wahoo division with a 69.5-pounder. Both fish were caught by John Wardlaw of Brielle, N.J. The tuna could be worth $1 million, the wahoo possibly worth $75,768.
Ryan Jones of Welcome, Md., and his team on the La Plata, Md.-based Today’s the Day lead the dolphin division with a 45-pounder that could be worth $27,159.
No swordfish have been registered.
Heading into today, the fleet has caught 881 white marlin, 74 blues, 54 tuna, 15 dolphin, three wahoo, five sailfish and four spearfish.
The release division is led by hometown team Maverick with 1,400 points, while fellow Ocean City team Pachanga is in second with 1,260.
The top 10 release division leaders are all fished out.
But we all know how things can change. It’s fishing for goodness sakes.
So that means one thing - there’s more to come.
