Over the past fifty years, the White Marlin Open (WMO) has gone from a relatively small competition to one of the most prestigious professional fishing tournaments around. In what started as a simple gathering amongst fellow anglers at the Harbour Island Marina over forty six years ago has now become a multi-million dollar reward, oft attracting celebrities such as Michael Jordan and Emeril Lagasse to witness the event in Ocean City,MD each summer.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the White Marlin Open (WMO) in Ocean City, MD! An impressive 378 boats out of 400 registered took part in the start of the competition this morning – that’s over six times the number that competed in the very first event in 1974. The winner of the inaugural WMO, Vince Sorenson of Bowie, MD, won a grand prize of $5,000 for a white marlin weighing 68.5 pounds – a fish that would not qualify today due to the new minimum weight requirement of 70 pounds. Today’s entry fees range from $1,300 to $1,600, placing the payout for the 2022 champion, Jeremy Duffie of Bethesda, MD, at an astounding $4.3 million – a remarkable increase in award money since the very first WMO!
The White Marlin Open (WMO) has grown from a simple week long party at the Harbour Island Marina off of 14th St. to the prestigious event it is today, “The World’s Largest and Richest Billfish Tournament”. Famous names such as Emeril Lagasse, Roy Clark, Wade Boggs, “Wild Bill” Wichorowski from the TV show Deadliest Catch and NBA great Michael Jordan have all been attracted to Ocean City in August every year. In 2019, Michael Jordan even participated for the first time in his 80 foot boat, and he has returned for the next three years.
Despite controversy in 2016, the U.S. Court of Special Appeals ruled in favor of the WMO, affirming Phil Heasley of Naples, FL as the rightful winner for his impressive 76.5 pound White Marlin catch. This ruling was a testament to the integrity of the tournament and its participants.
In 2017, Glen Frost of Stevensville set the bar high with a 95.5 pounder, while Berlin’s Tommy Hinkle topped it in 2019 with a 79.5 pound marlin. This was not only Hinkle’s second time as the heaviest white marlin, but also his second time tying for first- having tied with North Carolina’s Roger Mooney in 2008. Even amidst the COVID pandemic, the WMO held firm, and Brandon Golueke from Chester, MD proudly brought in the third largest White Marlin in tournament history at 97 pounds. The strength and resilience of this event is truly remarkable.
This week, the blue flags with the white silhouette of a White Marlin aboard a nice sized boat will make their way to the scales. By the night Friday August 11, yet another champion could be announced, adding to this tournament’s legacy of excellence.
The White Marlin Open has come a long way since its inaugural event in 1974, from single trophy prize winnings to a billion-dollar grand award. Today, the WMO is an institution of astonishing proportions that continues to stay true to its values and provided competitive excitement for alternative sports enthusiasts around the world – 50 years and counting. The tournament continues to inspire newcomers and veteran contenders all vying for the title of champion, and it goes without saying that the legacy of the day celebrating the accomplishment of Vince Sorenson’s 68.5 pound catch will continue to facilitate growth and success of the White Marlin Open well into the future.
