Where the 2026 tournament stands
Updated Friday, August 7, 2026 — after Day 4 weigh-ins. The White Marlin Open runs through Saturday, August 8. Standings change every evening at the scales, and a single fish can reorder the entire board on the last day. For live numbers, check the official WMO leaderboard.
| Division | Angler / Boat | Weight | Standing prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Marlin | Bill Sharpe — Mister Pete | 80 lbs | $3,598,443 |
| White Marlin (2nd) | James Hood — Bull Pen | 70 lbs | $2,038,873 |
| Blue Marlin | Kelly Weber — MaxBet | 607.5 lbs | $1,260,248 |
| Tuna | John Wardlaw — Gray Fox | 179 lbs | $1,038,098 |
| Wahoo | John Wardlaw — Gray Fox | 69.5 lbs | $130,992 |
| Dolphin | Ryan Jones — Today’s the Day | 45 lbs | $34,829 |
Standings as reported after Day 4, August 7, 2026. Prize figures are provisional — every qualifying fish is subject to polygraph testing on August 9 before payouts are certified.
What’s left this week
- Saturday, August 8 — final fishing day. Lines in 8:00 AM, lines out 3:30 PM. Last weigh-ins 4:00–9:15 PM at Harbour Island Marina.
- Sunday, August 9 — polygraph testing for prize-winning anglers.
- Sunday, August 9, 4:00 PM — awards ceremony at the Ocean City Marlin Club, West Ocean City.
How to watch the weigh-ins
The scales at Harbour Island Marina are open to the public and free. Boats weigh from 4:00 PM to 9:15 PM each fishing day, and the crowd builds through the evening — the biggest fish often come in late, because captains fish until lines-out and then run in.
Marlin Fest runs 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the Ocean City Inlet, with food, vendors and a view of the boats coming through. If you have never seen a competitive billfish weigh-in, this is the one to see: a qualifying white marlin has to beat the 70-pound minimum, and the difference between a check and a long ride home is often a pound or two.
Arrive early on the final evening. Parking around Harbour Island fills well before the first boats arrive.
Future White Marlin Open dates
The WMO is held the first full week of August, beginning on a Sunday, with registration the weekend before. Dates published by the tournament:
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2027 | August 2–7 |
| 2028 | August 7–12 |
| 2029 | August 6–11 |
If you are planning a trip around the tournament rather than fishing it, book lodging as soon as the dates are firm. Ocean City sells out for tournament week.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to fish all six days?
No. The 2026 format lets each boat fish any three of the six days. That is new — the tournament previously ran five days with a similar pick-your-days structure, and the sixth day was added to give teams more room to work around weather.
What does it cost to enter?
The base entry is $1,500 per boat before June 1 and $1,800 after. That figure alone puts you in very little of the money. The prize pool is built from added-entry levels — more than 45 of them, from $500 up to $10,000 — and serious teams buy into many. Read our guide to how tournament entry and calcuttas work before committing.
Why do the prize amounts keep changing?
Because payouts are calculated across dozens of separate added-entry levels, and a fish only wins the levels its boat bought into. A heavier fish on a boat with fewer entries can be worth less than a lighter fish on a fully entered boat. That is why the leaderboard is ranked by money, not by weight.
What is the polygraph for?
Prize winners submit to a polygraph examination confirming they followed tournament rules — no outside assistance, correct fishing hours, legal tackle. Payouts are not certified until it is passed. Large-money billfish tournaments have used this for decades, and results have been overturned by it.
Can I watch without a boat?
Yes. The weigh-ins at Harbour Island Marina are free and open to the public, and Marlin Fest at the Inlet runs all day. No ticket, no boat required.
More from fishing.digital
- How to Catch White Marlin — ballyhoo, teasers and canyon strategy
- How to Catch Blue Marlin — bluewater trolling and tackle
- Fishing Tournament Calendar — 2026 results and 2027 dates
- Ocean City, MD fishing reports
The White Marlin Open is the world’s largest and richest billfish tournament — 53 years old, $121 million in total prize money awarded since 1974, and still growing. The 2026 edition runs August 3–8 in Ocean City, Maryland, introducing a new six-day format that lets competitors fish three of the six days. The projected payout exceeds $10 million.
2026 White Marlin Open — Fast Facts
- Dates: August 3–8, 2026 (fish any 3 of the 6 days)
- Location: Ocean City, Maryland — Harbour Island Marina
- Projected Prize Money: $10 million+
- Base Entry Fee: $1,500 per boat (before June 1); $1,800 after June 1
- Species: White marlin, blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, dolphin (mahi), wahoo, swordfish
- Registration: whitemarlinopen.com
History and Scale
The White Marlin Open was founded in 1974 by the Motsko family and has been held in Ocean City every year since. The inaugural tournament had 57 boats, 150 anglers, and $20,000 in prize money. The 2025 event drew 282 boats and over 3,000 contestants, paying out over $7.24 million — including a top individual prize of $3.9 million for a 72-pound white marlin caught by Dan Gough aboard the Billfisher. A 929.5-pound blue marlin caught by the Barbara B was also among the headline fish of 2025.
The 2026 Format Change
New for 2026: the tournament extends to six full days (Monday–Saturday, August 3–8), with competitors choosing any three fishing days from the six-day window. This is a significant departure from the traditional five-day, fish-every-day format and gives teams greater flexibility around weather windows and scheduling. A new non-sonar division has also been added for 2026.
How the Prize Structure Works
The WMO uses an added-entry level system — teams pay a base fee and then opt into additional prize levels at increasing entry costs. The more added entries you purchase, the more prize money you compete for. Over 45 different added entry levels are offered, from $500 for Level A up to $10,000 for the ultimate winner-take-all white marlin level. Tuna categories have separate entry levels where winnings can exceed $1 million. Smaller boats under 40 feet have their own competitive divisions.
Key Species and Divisions
- White Marlin: The marquee species — the heaviest qualifying fish wins the largest single prize
- Blue Marlin: Separate heavy division — the 2025 blue topped out at 929.5 lbs
- Yellowfin Tuna: Multiple tuna divisions with potential payouts exceeding $1M
- Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi): Consistently popular division with solid payouts
- Wahoo: Fast-growing division at the WMO
- Swordfish: Overnight swordfish division added in recent years
- Release Division: Top 3 release-only boats have exceeded $100,000 in payout
- Outboard Division: Added in 2025, open to outboard-powered boats competing among themselves
How to Enter the White Marlin Open
Registration opens well in advance and the tournament fills quickly. Any angler may enter — you must either register a boat or register as an angler on a registered boat before fishing. Base entry: $1,500 before June 1, $1,800 after. Added entry levels from $500–$100,000+ depending on how many optional divisions you enter. Full details and registration at whitemarlinopen.com/entry-info.
Spectating the White Marlin Open
You don’t need to fish to be part of the action. The weigh-in at Harbour Island Marina draws massive crowds daily. Fish come across the scale from mid-afternoon into the evening — arriving early gets you a prime viewing spot. The drama of the leaderboard changing throughout the week is what makes the WMO unlike any other fishing event. Notable attendees have included Michael Jordan, a regular WMO competitor whose arrival at the scales regularly draws crowds.
Tackle and Preparation
The White Marlin Open fishes the Mid-Atlantic canyons — Washington, Baltimore, Norfolk, and Wilmington are the primary grounds. Captains target white marlin on rigged ballyhoo and kite-fished live baits, with the Gulf Stream’s position relative to the canyons being the dominant fish-finding factor each day. Tuna teams chunk butterfish and run spreader bars. Non-offset circle hooks are required for white and blue marlin in federal waters.
See our complete How to Catch White Marlin guide for full tackle, rigging, and technique information.
Getting to Ocean City for Tournament Week
Ocean City is accessible from Baltimore (2.5 hrs), Washington DC (3 hrs), and Philadelphia (3 hrs). Tournament week fills every hotel room in town — book accommodations 6–12 months in advance. The Harbour Island Marina area is the center of tournament activity. The boardwalk, restaurants, and entertainment are within easy walking distance of the scales.
Planning a trip to Billfish Tournaments?
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