WMO hits the water ... local events are preparing
We’re into the heat of the mid-Atlantic billfish tournament season, but one thing is for sure - big-money events to our north and south draw the most media attention.
The reason?
Readership numbers are bigger when the payouts are insane.
Unfortunately, outfits pay lots of attention to the big-dollar events and basically none to those held out of the Outer Banks or Virginia Beach.
It’s a crying shame, but impressive prize money brings attention, which equals hits and maybe, just maybe, a few extra dollars from advertisers.
I know, I was part of the media that played the role. But at least I paid attention to other fishing matters.
So, before the upcoming Pirate’s Cove and Virginia Beach billfish events hit the water, let’s see what’s going on with the White Marlin Open - the “biggest billfish tournament in the world.”
Action in the 53rd annual event started today with just 17 of the 334 entries hitting the water because of a forecast for unfriendly seas.
This year’s tournament has been extended to six days after an additional day was added last year because of nasty conditions. Teams can fish a combined three days out of the six.
The fleet is competing for a $9.9 million total payout.
Last year saw 284 - 282 depending on who was writing the stories - in the hunt.
When it concluded, 2022 winner and local entry Billfisher came in with the biggest white and put $3.9 million in the bank. That fish barely qualified, coming in at 72 pounds - just two over the minimum - and at 70.5 inches - a half inch over the minimum.
The fish was caught by local angler Dan Gough.
None of which mattered because, if your fish is the biggest, you win.
After seas calm, the fishing should be good, as lots of white marlin, sailfish and a few blue marlin have been hooked and released the last two weeks.
So, while we wait for local events that matter most to locals, we’ll keep up with the WMO.
More to come …
