White Marlin Open 2023: First catch of day 2 a tuna currently worth $70,000

Following Monday night's late-night storm, only a light fleet of boats headed out on day 2 of the 2023 White Marlin Open, a total of 22. But as we all know, that doesn't mean there won't be some surprises when the scales reopen tonight.

On Sunday afternoon, the world's largest billfishing tournament announced that 400 boats would be competing in this year's tournament, and that they would be competing for a $10.3 million purse, a new world record.

Tuna was king on day 1 of the 2023 White Marlin Open, with the Instigator reeling in a 199-pound bigeye to take the top spot in the tuna category, exciting the crowd at Harbour Island Marina with a fish currently valued at $1 million.

You can follow along here for updates throughout Day 2 of the White Marlin Open, as Delmarva Now reports live from the scales at the Harbour Island Marina from the time they open at 4 p.m. until they close at 9:15.

A new tuna, wahoo come into scales as they near close

The second qualifying tuna of the day came in just after 8 p.m. aboard the Blue Runner out of New Jersey. Angler Dru Kegreiss brought in a 54.5-pound fish that was two pounds shy of the day’s biggest catch.

The only wahoo of the evening arrived just before 8:30 p.m. via truck. Though many anglers bring their catches in by boat, the White Marlin Open does allow fish to be submitted by land vehicles, too.

First catch of day, a tuna, currently worth $70,000

Day 2 of the White Marlin Open will not be without excitement as a boat came to the scales with just under two hours remaining for weigh-ins.

No Limit out of Indian River, Delaware, entered Harbour Island Marina just after 7 p.m. with a 56-pound tuna on board. The angler, Monty Meave of Houston, Texas, said the crew battled 10-12 foot waves but finally got the fish on board after 15 minutes.

“It was a rough day, that’s for sure,” Meave said.

As the only qualifying catch of Day 2, the tuna is currently valued at $70,000.

“I want to cash that check right now,” Meave said with a smile.

Just 10 minutes later, the Sea Wolf out of North Carolina brought in a pair of tuna, though both failed to meet the 50-pound mark to qualify.

Slow day 2 so far eerily reminiscent of 2022

History could repeat itself on Day 2 of the 50th annual White Marlin Open.

With only 22 of the 400 registered boats fishing, none had reported to the scales as of 7 p.m. Ironically, a nearly identical situation took place during the 2022 tournament.

With more than 400 boats registered, just 15 took to the sea on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. After hours of waiting, the scales closed without one angler making their way to Harbour Island Marina. The final three days were filled with huge catches and countless weigh-ins.

The White Marlin Open does have multiple daily winner categories, making just one qualifying catch potentially worth thousands of dollars.

Given the tournament’s record-breaking $10.3 million purse, the final three days of the 2023 White Marlin Open are expected to be just as exciting as the year prior. Boats are allowed to fish three days throughout the week, and with just a handful of catches making up the leaderboard, the next few days should see plenty of action.

White Marlin Open trivia and, yes, "Jaws" on slow day 2

As of 6 p.m., no boats had come to the scales at Harbour Island Marina on Day 2 of the White Marlin Open. One white marlin was released, though, according to the White Marlin Open website. Anglers will often not bring fish to the scales if they don’t believe they meet the tournament’s minimum weight and length requirements.

That compares to 224 white marlin released on Monday. Other species released on Day 1 include 18 blue marlin and four sailfish. As of Tuesday evening, there are no eligible white or blue marlin on the leaderboard.

While the scales remained empty, spectators and tournament officials still found entertainment, taking part in singing competitions and White Marlin Open trivia. Questions centered around the tournament’s heaviest catch – a blue marlin weighing over 1,000 pounds – shirt designs, and different species of fish brought to the scales over the past 50 years.

Tournament officials also paid homage to “Jaws,” asking several questions about the 1975 classic. But unlike the well-known shark flick, spectators were left without a monster fish early on Day 2 of the world’s largest billfish tournament.

'Everyone loves this event': Crowds pile in even on slow day

Of the 400 boats registered in the 50th annual White Marlin Open, just 22 took to the sea on Day 2 – many likely using one of the tournament’s designated rest days following the powerful storm that hit the Delmarva Peninsula on Monday night.

As of 5 p.m. no boats had yet to come to the scales at Harbour Island Marina. Tournament officials, who are often in radio contact with anglers heading for the marina, had not reported any incoming catches.

But that didn’t discourage spectators from gathering, buying White Marlin Open merchandise and enjoying an afternoon in Ocean City. The tournament, which has a $10.3 million payout – a new world record – is attended by individuals from both near and far, with some planning their annual vacations around the event.

Ernest Donalds, who traveled to OC from West Virginia, has attended the White Marlin Open for nearly five years. Watching the event with his wife and brother, Donalds said he hopes 2023 is a great year for anglers.

“I’m just hoping to see some fish,” Donalds said. “We love this event. Everyone loves this event. We couldn’t make it over yesterday, but we’ll be here the rest of the week!”

DAY 1 LEADERBOARD: White Marlin Open day 1 leaderboard: All about big tuna

DAY 1 ACTION: White Marlin 2023 live updates: Tuna rule day 1, with a mammoth bigeye on top

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Live updates from day 2 of White Marlin Open: #70K tuna is first catch