June 1, 2008
For Immediate Release
There are events in the sport of big game tournament fishing which are circled each season on the calendars of crews simply because in the crew's words "we gotta be there." For some participants it may be the attraction of a large cash purse while for others it's simply "the place to be" that week every year and they wouldn't think of missing it. Still there are others who consider the location of an event and its social activities as a part of their decision as to whether or not they attend. One tournament offers all this plus a chance to do battle against the best in the sport while also enjoying two of the mid-Atlantic region's most popular seaside resort communities. Now in its 17th year, the 2008 Mid-Atlantic $500,000 is set for August 17-22 and Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey will be the tournament's headquarters while Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland has again been enlisted to serve as the tournament's only official satellite port. Sunset Marina will once again offer full weigh-in for participants fishing out of that location.. Boats must select either port
to sail from and return to during the entire tournament and to insure there is no geographic advantage from either port, all participants must fish within 125 miles of the Cape May Sea Buoy.
Scheduled right in the heart of the mid-Atlantic billfish season, the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 has seen some impressive catches since its inception back in 1992. In fact, the tournament record book has taken a beating in recent years led by Mark and Amy Granville-Smith's record setting 92-pound
white marlin caught aboard their Phat Mann on the final day of last year's event! And, who can forget 2006 when nearly 600 billfish were caught for the week by 176 boats with over 95% released!
Last year also saw another cash purse of well over $1.9 million distributed to tournament winners led by Phat Mann's white marlin win which netted the Granville-Smiths just over $750,000! Andy Polash and his crew aboard the Island Girl had a week they'll never forget thanks to blue marlin of 536 and
524 pounds which netted the crew over $327,000! Ken Gallop's Big Kid fared quite well too pocketing over $229,000 for his category-winning 212-pound big eye tuna. Yes, there's indeed plenty of cash up for grabs and the unique prize structure of the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 spreads the cash out among the three major categories. The three heaviest white marlin and blue marlin are each worth $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 respectively while the three heaviest tuna are each worth $75,000, $35,000 and $20,000. The single heaviest dolphin and wahoo each earn $10,000. The total cash purse includes
tournament proceeds of $500,000, which is guaranteed with a field of 125 boats, and tournament sanctioned calcuttas, also known as additional skill levels. Five optional calcuttas are offered including $1000, $1500 and $2500 levels which are divided among the three heaviest white marlin, blue marlin and tuna winners who elect to participate in these pools. The $5000 White Marlin Pro Jackpot is a winner-take-all payout for the single heaviest white marlin. The $2000 Sperry Topsider On the Board Reward pays out each day of the tournament to participants who have qualifying fish in the white marlin, blue marlin and tuna categories on the leaderboard at the close of each day's weigh-in session.
To qualify for cash prizes any white marlin must weigh at least 60 pounds and a blue marlin must weigh at least 400 pounds. The minimum weight for tuna is 50 pounds and only yellowfin, big eye and true albacore are eligible in the tournament. Released billfish and tuna over 50 pounds which are
weighed-in earn points and the top three point winners will receive valuable awards.
Five days of fishing are provided and boats select three days to fish in this tournament that's governed by IGFA rules except that any person may hook a fish as long as the rod is immediately handed off to the angler who fights the fish until it is boated, released or lost. The Mid-Atlantic
$500,000 is a trolling-only tournament and there is no limit to the number of lines or teaser that may be used though live bait is not permitted.
To be part of, "Boat for Boat, the Richest Marlin and Tuna Tournament in the World," you must act NOW! To request information on entering or becoming a tournament sponsor contact Tournament Director Bob Glover at 609-884-2400. For further information visit the tournament web site at www.MA500.com.
