Slow Second Day Has Boats Changing Strategy
Most of the 408 registered boats used Tuesday for a lay day as only 15 boats fished on day two. There were no change in the leaded board. Brian Stewart’s 213.5-pound tuna caught Monday remains top dog and while holding onto $1,300,000.00 after day two. There were several good reasons to rest up and prepare for the final 3 fishing days. First, the weather offshore called for 5-to-6-foot seas while the forecast predicted better weather for Wednesday and Thursday. Second, 292 boats fished on Monday and only have two fishing days left and wanted to use them wisely. Third, the tournament boats haven’t found the billfish yet.
Since the first White Marlin Open in 1974, no two tournaments have been the same. After the second day of fishing, this year’s edition may require changes in the boats strategy. It’s no secret that the marlin fishing is poor in their usual canyon haunts, and there is $5 million dollars waiting in the billfish categories. Captains will need to alter their search patterns to find some big fish. Some will try trolling in deep water, far past the canyon drops and deeper into the Gulf Stream. Others will look for warm water eddies that have spun off inside the canyons. It’s a big ocean. Boats will still be looking for billfish from Spencer Canyon down to Norfolk canyon with covers almost 100 nautical miles.
Tuna Take Center Stage on First WMO Fishing Day
Day 1 of the 2022 White Marlin Open is in the books. The weather was good and the seas moderate as 292 of the 408 registered boats ventured out with visions of catching a marlin worth its weight in gold. But the fish had other visions. None of the 29 white marlin or 17 blue marlin that were caught today would have qualified for prize money so all were released. It was the tuna that dominated the day.
Of the various tuna species, it is the Atlantic Bigeye that trumps the others in the Mid-Atlantic area. After some smaller 50 to 70-pound yellowfin tuna were weighed, the bigeye showed up. First was a 189.5-pounder taken by Adam Maziarz from Narragansett, RI fishing aboard the “Right Bite” out of Brick, NJ. Adam’s fish is currently in 3rdplace and worth $38,000.00. The second Bigeye weighed was caught by Dante Soriente out of Beach Haven, NJ. His 198.5 fish was caught off the MJ's out of Cape May, NJ, and is currently winning $100,000. Saving the best for last was a 213.5-pounder caught by Brian Stewart from Shady Side, MD. Brian was fishing aboard the “Reel Tight” out of Ocean City, MD, and now is holding onto first place and the $1,300,000 that comes with it.