Record-tying white marlin wins top prize in Mid-Atlantic $500,000

Record-tying white marlin wins top prize in Mid-Atlantic $500,000

The News Journal • August 23, 2008

With a record-tying 92-pound white marlin, Reel Joy out of Ocean City took home the top prize of $699,307 in the Mid-Atlantic $500,000.

“It’s been a terrific tournament and we’re very happy with the level of participation both here in Cape May and at our satellite port, Sunset Marina, in Ocean City, Md.," tournament Director Bob Glover said at the awards ceremony Friday at the Canyon Club Resort Marina. "The weather has been excellent and the fishing has been equally good as well."
Glover, assisted by tournament officials Mark Allen and Scott Knopf, distributed the total cash payout of over $1.8 million to the winners.

Day five lived up to its busy reputation and saw changes across the leaderboard. With 129 boats heading out, the billfish bite continued to be red hot, and once again crews were able to rack up lots of release points and several big fish came to the scales.

The highlight of the final day’s weigh-in session came from Sunset Marina in Ocean City, where Susan McCart’s Reel Joy with Captain Dale Gurgo at the wheel weighed a tournament record-tying white marlin of 92 pounds. Captain Bob Watson piloted Frank Bongiorno’s Dealer’s Choice to a second place finish and $124,955 for the 88-pound white marlin caught on day four. Barry Weshnak’s Miss Annie with Captain Matt Rabenstine on the bridge held on to finish in third place and won $68,747 for the 79-pound white marlin also caught on day four.

Adam Demeusy’s Impulse V had to sweat out the week with the 719-pound blue marlin he caught on day one, but in the end it was good enough to finish first in the category and was worth $193,622. Second place went to Joseph Bernert’s Kwik Raze with the 625-pound blue marlin caught on day four and won $124,955. Joe Giafaglione’s Atomic got on the leaderboard on the final day of the tournament after weighing a 501-pound blue marlin, which took third and was worth $62,477.

Mike Tyson’s Runaway took first and third place in the tuna category with yellowfins of 80 and 77 pounds and won a combined payout of $250,277. Both fish were caught on day one. Rich Fanucci’s Exile finished in second place and received $47,540 for his 78-pound yellowfin that was caught on day four.

Rich Ryon’s Anthracite won the dolphin category with a 43-pound mahi-mahi caught on day one and received $10,000, while Ron McQuaid’s Sea Cure captured the wahoo category with a 74-pound ‘hoo caught on day four and also won $10,000.

Boats with significant billfish catches on the final day of the tournament include Michael Mitrow’s Bac in Five with nine white marlin released, while Barry Weshnak’s Miss Annie and Peter Cherasia’s Shark Byte each released seven white marlin. Eric Blanks’ Intrinsic released six white marlin, and Charlie Horning’s Fish Whistle released five white marlin. Mark and Amy Granville-Smith’s Phat Man, Brandon Famous’ Pipe Dream, Joseph Erikson’s Endeavor and George Barnard’s Olivia Grace each released four white marlin. Boats with three white marlin releases include Pat Healy’s Viking 60; John Raimondo’s Sea Mistress and Greg Nucci’s Finatic. Edward Burr’s Spencer 66 released four white marlin and a blue marlin, while Gina Addeo’s Gina Lisa released two white marlin and a blue marlin. Ron Levy’s Sea Splendor released a blue marlin and a white marlin. In addition, 13 boats released two white marlin each on day five.