The 2025 edition of the White Marlin Open will see 282 boats chasing $7.2 million in total prize money when it gets underway Monday in an extended version of the 52nd annual event.
For the second year in a row, the weather has dictated changes for the White Marlin Open. Based on offshore forecasts, the 52nd edition of the world’s largest billfishing tournament has extended the event by two fishing days. That means each boat can use its allotted three fishing days from Monday, August 4, through Sunday, August 10.
Many past winners are back again to test their luck this summer. They include the Floor Reel, which won $6,232,736.00 in 2023 for a 640.5-pound blue marlin. The Waste Knot from Raleigh, NC, is back after winning $3,699,630.67 for a 77.5-pound white marlin last year. The Blue Runner took $1,007,012.32 for a 220.50 bigeye the previous year and is back to try for more.
Most of the registered boats will be headed for the Gulf Stream, 60 to 70 miles offshore in pursuit of Atlantic gamefish that summer off the Ocean City coast. While marlin bring the biggest payday, the boats will also target blue marlin, tuna, swordfish, wahoo, and dolphin. The Open is fished by boats of all sizes, from 24 ft to over 80 ft in length, and the extra two days help level the playing field.
While Monday’s offshore forecast calls for 5 to 7-foot seas, Tuesday and Wednesday’s forecasts indicate calmer conditions for the boats and anglers. We will continue to keep you posted on the weather.
The weigh-ins will be held from 4:00 pm to 9:15 PM at Harbour Island and are open to the public. Marlin Fest is held at the inlet each day from 11 AM through 9 PM and includes music, food & drink, WMO & Marlin Fest merch, and a live stream of White Marlin Open Weigh-Ins. It’s the perfect place to watch the boats return each day, flying the flags of their day’s catch.