Ocean City, Maryland, hosted the 52nd annual White Marlin Open from August 4 to 8, 2025, drawing 318 boats and awarding more than $10.5 million in total prize money, marking one of the largest purses in the tournament’s history.
The event, known as the world’s largest and richest billfish tournament, saw anglers from across the East Coast compete for catches in categories including white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dolphin and wahoo. The Billfisher team, based out of Ocean City, secured the top white marlin prize with a 72-pound catch by angler Dan Gough, earning $3,914,197.60. Michael Jordan’s boat, Catch 23, finished second in the white marlin division with a 71-pound fish, taking home $389,377.11.
The Barbara B team from Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, dominated the blue marlin category with a 929.5-pound catch by angler Drew Osmeyer, which stood as the tournament’s standout fish and earned $1,237,886.75. This blue marlin ranked as the fifth-largest ever weighed in the event’s history, highlighting the quality of fishing conditions off the Maryland coast during the week.
In the tuna division, the Sea Hab led with a 188-pound bigeye tuna caught by Jonathan Cianciulli, securing $764,325.86, followed by the Bow Down with a 52.5-pound yellowfin for $132,667.85 and the Mama C with a 95-pound yellowfin worth $115,290.94.
Other notable tuna payouts included the Shorebilly at $85,647.86 for 186.5 pounds, No Limit at $64,785.64 for 92.5 pounds, Don’t Ask at $64,447.44 for 61 pounds, Special Situation at $39,783.00 for 50.5 pounds, C-Student at $38,915.25 for 52.5 pounds, Hot Lick at $17,897.90 for 54 pounds, Blind Acres at $13,852.60 for 56 pounds, Hot Lick again at $10,866.90 for 52 pounds and Tellum II at $6,835.20 for 53 pounds.
Dolphin category leaders included the Barbara B with a 32.5-pound mahi-mahi for $19,950.83, RoShamBo at 27 pounds for $18,950.83, Catch 23 at 22.5 pounds for $15,500.83, Pitch-n-Bills at 20.5 pounds for $4,672.50 and Sweet Freedom at 26.5 pounds for $2,450.00. The wahoo division was topped by the Shooting Star with a 49.5-pound catch worth $74,145.00.
Daily winners added to the excitement, with the Barbara B earning top points on August 4 at 555, Jenny Poo leading small boats on August 5 with 70 points, C-Student taking daily tuna on August 4 with a catch by Keeley Megarity and other days featuring standout performances in various divisions.
The tournament unfolded over five fishing days, with boats departing from Ocean City’s harbor each morning and returning to the scales at Harbour Island for weigh-ins that drew massive crowds, especially on the final day, August 10, when additional scales action extended the event’s closure.
Organizers reported 318 participating boats, a slight decrease from prior years but still robust, contributing to the event’s economic boost for local businesses in accommodations, dining and marine services. Participants followed strict rules, including minimum weight requirements—70 pounds for white marlin, 400 pounds for blue marlin, 30 pounds for tuna over certain sizes—to qualify for prizes.
Social media buzzed with updates, including posts highlighting the Billfisher’s first qualifying white marlin on August 6 and Michael Jordan’s involvement, which added celebrity appeal.
Videos from the scales, shared on platforms like YouTube, captured the drama of weigh-ins, such as the massive blue marlin’s arrival on day one. Local outlets noted the event’s role in Ocean City’s summer season, with spectators filling the docks and online streams reaching thousands.
Founded in 1974, the White Marlin Open has grown from a small local contest to an international draw, emphasizing catch-and-release for billfish to promote conservation while allowing qualified fish to be brought to the scales. Proceeds from entry fees, which ranged from $3,500 base to additional calcuttas boosting pots, supported scholarships and community programs through the White Marlin Open Foundation. Past records include a 1,135-pound blue marlin in 2009 and a 95-pound white marlin in 2002, with the 2025 event’s blue marlin catch approaching those benchmarks.
For Ocean City residents and visitors, the tournament underscores the area’s status as the “White Marlin Capital of the World,” with offshore canyons like the Baltimore and Poor Man’s providing prime fishing grounds. Anglers prepared by monitoring ocean forecasts, using satellite data for water temperatures and currents to locate fish migrations.
The 2025 payout structure rewarded top-three placements in most categories, with added levels for daily prizes and special awards like top lady angler and junior angler. Level DP prizes totaled $97,455 across 73 boats, varying by daily winners.
Community engagement included live streams, a spectator tent and merchandise sales, enhancing the festive atmosphere. As the event wrapped, organizers began planning for 2026, set for August 3-7, continuing the tradition that injects millions into the local economy annually.
