On an exciting final day of the 2023 White Marlin Open, a billfish finally came in, and it was a mammoth blue marlin that’s this year’s big money winner.
Here’s the final leaderboard:
Blue Marlin
John Ols of Laytonsville, Md., was this year’s big money winner, reeling in a 640.5-pound blue marlin aboard the Floor Reel out of Ocean City to take home $6,200,000.
Tuna
First place: Brian Stewart of Shady Side, Md., reeled in a 265-pound tuna aboard the Reel Tight out of Ocean City to take home $1M.
Second place: Chris Mentlik of Street, Md., reeled in a 221.5-pound tuna aboard the Fishlik out of Chincoteage to take home $360,000.
Third place: John Zimmerman of Boynton Beach, Fla., reeled in a 221.5-pound tuna aboard the Game Over out of Ocean City to take home $160,000.
Fourth place: Rusty Shriver of Leonardtown, Md., reeled in a 215-pound tuna aboard the Ro Sham Bo out of Ocean City to take home $1,700,000.
Wahoo
First place: John Harris of Boyertown, Pa., reeled in a 57-pound wahoo aboard the Shooting Star out of Indian River to take home $2,000.
Second place: Chad Jackson of Fory Myers, Fla., reeled in a 55-pound wahoo aboard the Captain Deadley out of Ocean City to take home $28,000.
Third place: Matthew Gessler, 15, of Chadds Ford, Pa., reeled in a 46-pound wahoo aboard the Boy’s Toy out of Indian River to take home $26,000.
Dolphin
First place: Andrew Spangenberger of New Freedom, Pa., reeled in a 50.5-pound dolphin aboard the Roncito out of Ocean City to take home $25,000.
Second place: Timothy Goodman of Palm Beach, Fla., reeled in a 32-pound dolphin aboard the Aquila out of Beach Haven, N.J., to take home $78,000.Third place: Will Mcateer of Kent Island, Md., reeled in a 31-pound dolphin aboard the Maverick out of Ocean City to take home $27,000.
White marlin, swordfish
No white marlin or swordfish were caught at the 2023 White Marlin Open.
DAY 5 ACTION:White Marlin Open 2023: All the big winners as exciting final day wraps up in Ocean City
DAY 4 ACTION:White Marlin Open 2023: First day 4 boat brings in 5 qualifying tuna as touching tribute
DAY 4 LEADERBOARD:White Marlin Open day 4 leaderboard: Billfish elusive, but tuna, dolphin and wahoo reign
