Mike Donahue caught the leading 86 pound white marlin aboard the Griffin from Palm Beach Florida. Mike is from Wilmington … photo credit Chuck Regner
Before it started the biggest story that came out of the White Marlin Open this year was a bar tab for twenty thousand dollars, that went viral. For Delaware the biggest story is the eighty-six pound White that came to the scales yesterday. The 2017 White Marlin Open started in a tornado, literally. The first day there were heavy storms in the area. We were headed to the scales to see if any of the hundred and thirty plus boats would bring anything to the docks. Then the tornado warnings started popping up so we decided we would skip the scales and watch it live online. The storm headed out to sea, but not before putting Ocean City Maryland under a tornado warning and the crews at the scales dealt with sixty mile per hour plus winds and a lot of sideways rain. Glad I stayed home for that one. A couple of tuna and under weight whites came to the scales despite the storm. At least fish were being put on the board. There were some colorful descriptions of the trip back in from many anglers.
Joe Saddler from Jupiter Florida holds first place with a 68.5 pound tuna … photo credit Chuck Regner
The next day with the seas looking rough, only twelve boats headed out to fish. The marina was the fullest it has ever been during the tournament, it looked like the days before the White Marlin Open. Lots of huge Viking boats all tied up and ready to roll. Yesterday two hundred and ninety-seven boats went out and the scales were busy. A lot of fish came in and there was constant buzz on social media about whites coming to the scales that would qualify. Between live cams and social media you feel like you are there. The largest White of the day was brought in by the Griffin from Palm Beach Florida, and the angler was Delaware’s own Mike Donahue from Wilmington, Delaware. That fish is worth two million six hundred thousand dollars! At eighty-six pounds that will be a tough weight to beat. Joe Sadler from Jupiter Florida, aboard the Intents is holding first place for the tuna category at eighty six and half pounds. The wahoo division has one fish that placed. A fifty-five pound wahoo caught by Joe Capuano aboard the Hog Wild from Manteo, North Carolina.
Now there are only two days left to fish for three hundred and seven boats, no one will be sitting in the marina. There could be a hurricane and they would go out. The tuna categories have all been filled and the White Marlin places as well. One wahoo is holding first place in that division. The only fish that hasn’t come to the scales is a blue marlin worth nine hundred thousand dollars for first place. The scales are going to be a madhouse today and tomorrow. The scales are open from 4 to 9:15 PM at Harbour Island Marina. See you at the docks.
Fish on!
Rich King
Leaderboard …
| Date | Boat | Angler | Weight | Est. Prize | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Marlin | |||||
| 8/9/17 | Griffin Palm Beach , FL |
Mike Donohue | 86 | $2,600,000.00 | Photos |
| 8/9/17 | Business Key Largo, FL |
Michael Logan | 76 | $120,000.00 | Photos |
| 8/9/17 | Team Player Stone Harbor , NJ |
Casey Roohan | 70.5 | $80,000.00 | Photos |
| Tuna | |||||
| 8/9/17 | Intents Jupiter, FL |
Joe Sandler | 68.5 | $460,000.00 | |
| 8/8/17 | Blue Runner Manasquan, NJ |
James Boynton | 67 | $80,000.00 | Photos |
| 8/9/17 | Warden Pass Cape May , NJ |
Kris Rainear | 67 | $50,000.00 | |
| 8/7/17 | Milling Around Atlantic Highlands, NJ |
Jim Stavola | 64 | $36,000.00 | Photos |
| 8/9/17 | Take the Bait Indian River, DE |
Don Schoenberger | 58.5 | $70,000.00 | |
| Wahoo | |||||
| 8/7/17 | Hog Wild Manteo, NC |
Gary Capuano | 55 | $15,000.00 | Photos |
