They might want to change the name.
The White Marlin Open out of Ocean City, Md., has never gone without a weighed-in billfish in its 50 years.
But heading into today’s final day of fishing, that’s exactly where the event stands.
No white marlin, no blue marlin, no swordfish.
That leaves Street, Md., resident Chris Mentlik in the running for a really big portion of the $10.5 million in total prize money. His 247.5-pound bigeye tuna was worth $1.2 million heading into a final day where 357 out of 417 teams are competing.
That means his fish and two other bigeyes on the leaderboard could share as much as $7 million.
The WMO rules state that all of the prize money be dispersed, leaving the tuna division with a good chance to increase its winnings.
In 1984, 85 and 86, no white marlin were weighed in, but blue marlin filled the void. There have been several years where no blue marlin were brought to the scales, but whites took over.
It’s not that the billfish aren’t there. In four days, 431 white marlin were caught – along with 34 blues, five sailfish and one spearfish.
But none were deemed large enough to being to the weigh-in and all were released.
White marlin must be at least 70 inches long and weigh 70 pounds to be brought in. Blue marlin must be 114 inches and swordfish must be 60.
Offshore weather conditions are favorable for another decent showing from billfish. But it’s clear that nerves will be sensitive as each fish is reeled to the boat.
Will this be the first of 50 years with no winning billfish?
Stay tuned and find out.