White Marlin Open will top $3 million in prizes
By Don Klein

As the 33rd annual White Marlin Open tournament gets underway on August 7 for a week of competitive fishing, the biggest threat to the future of the event has been lifted. A few weeks ago the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) has given its blessing to the use of circle hooks next year thereby removing what could have meant the end of the competition.

 That means that during the second week in August, and for years to come, Ocean City will be hosting what has been purported to be the largest billfish tournament in the world. “We expect 450 vessels in the competition and we added more prizes this year to sweeten the pot,” Jim Motsko, tournament director, said.

 Last year Mr. Motsko expected 400 vessels before the tournament, but that was exceeded comfortably to the official count of 449. That was an increase of 70 boats over 2004. The prizes keep getting larger also. “Last year we gave away $2.7 million in prizes and expect to top that reaching with about $3 million this season,” he predicted.

 They also added a third place winner in several categories to increase the number of cash prizes. The tournament added a tuna entry and will give a prize for both the white marlin and blue marlin classes. Of course, there will be a prize for the most fish caught and released, he added.

 “The idea is to attract more boats and to let more fish go,” he said, “and to attract more competitors.”

 But the use of circle hooks are the key to the ongoing success of the tournament which is believed to generate the biggest economic impact in this area. Circle hook usage is voluntary this year, but becomes mandatory in 2007. The reason for the NMFS ruling is that they are less damaging to the species than the traditional “J” hooks which tear into the fish and can cause injury and death even when they are released back into the ocean.

 “Most fishermen don’t use circle hooks now because they are not used to them, they are afraid to change,” Mr. Motsko said, “but they will have to next year. It’s a matter of getting accustomed to them.”

 Mr. Motsko, who has been running the tournament since its beginning in 1974, got his start as a mate on the charter vessel while he was a student at the University of Maryland at College Park. After five years of working on fishing boats he realized that there would be little chance of family life if he made that his career. Charter fishing boats move all along the coastline looking for business and the weather in these parts meant they had to head south for half the year.

 “I started selling real estate in 1970 and discovered I could make a living that way and also go fishing so I could have a family life,” he explained. He started the White Marlin Open shortly after to keep his hand in fishing. Today he works for Coldwell Banker the rest of the year. He has two daughters and a grandson. His wife is deceased.

 The economic impact of the fishing event has grown constantly. More than a decade ago a study measuring the retail sales tax for the week-long tournament put the value at $10 million. “It’s grown by leaps and bounds since then,” Mr. Motsko said. “It should be more than double that amount today. At least.” 

 Last year, using Ocean City’s marketing and public relations formula, the estimated impact was at about $27 million. This figure is based on at least 400 vessels in the contest plus all the accompanying guests and includes all those costs associated with the tournament plus hotel and condo accommodations, dinners and all the other visitor activities that normally take place.

This year’s impact should be even more given the expected larger number of entries, the higher costs of fuel and other amenities:

Each of the expected 450 participating vessels will pay entry fees up to $950 depending on their size.

They pay another $1,000 to $5,000 a week to rent docking spaces and boatslips.

About 100 participants do not have their own vessels so must charter boats at about $1,500 a day for four days of fishing.

There are hotel and condominium fees for a week, plus dinner out every night at local restaurants.

It all adds up to probably the largest economic package for Ocean City all year.

Fishermen from New England to Florida will be present plus the occasional visitor from distant places like Texas and California. “We even had mates from Hawaii and Australia taking part,” Mr. Motsko contends. They fly in from far locations for the sport and rent vessels here.

There are so many coming that the tournament again allows contestants to use docking spaces at Indian River, DE and even Cape May, NJ. “We don’t have enough slips for everyone in the Ocean City area but those from Indian River and Cape May are required to fish in the same waters as the rest of them,” Mr. Motsko explained.

Marinas in the Ocean City/West Ocean City area take the bulk of the visitors. They are Sunset Marina, Harbor Island, Bahia Marina, White Marlin Marina, Fishermen’s Marina, Marsh Harbor and the Ocean City Fishing Center.

The average vessel is about 50-feet from stem to stern, but the sizes can range from as little as 24 feet to 72 feet. The tournament’s popularity depends greatly on the weather. Despite the record 449 last year, three years ago bad weather dropped attendance when the threat of a tropical storm in the area lowered entries to 379 vessels.

“Weather is a critical factor for us,” Mr. Motsko said.


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