We are covering the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 this year with live streaming cams in both locations Cape May, NJ and Ocean City, MD and are very pleased to welcome CGI Finance as our photo coverage site sponsor!
CGI Finance, a marine financing company based out of Baltimore, MD, is proud to participate in this exciting event. CGI Finance is the North American subsidiary of the CGI Group, a financial establishment founded in 1951 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Societe Generale, which is one of the largest banks in the world with 152,000 employees in 82 countries. CGI Group has a significant presence worldwide, with over 21 branches in Europe alone, as well as 75,000 new clients every year and 1 billion Euros in loan financing.
Here's the Official MA500 Release by Jeff Merrill - August 17, 2008
The countdown is complete, the tent is up and all the participants have arrived and beginning tomorrow, the battle offshore begins! The 2008 Mid-Atlantic $500,000 kicks off today at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland and although the final numbers are still being calculated, it looks like another huge cash purse will be up for grabs during the next five days. Fishing begins tomorrow and continues through Friday and boats have the choice of fishing three of the five days available. Though participants may sail from either Cape May or Ocean City, Maryland, they must select which inlet they will sail from for the week and must fish within 125 miles of the Cape May Sea Buoy. All boats may not clear the sea buoy of either inlet before 4:30 a.m. each day with lines in set for 8:30 a.m. and lines out at 3:30 p.m. All fish to be weighed-in must be at the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina or Sunset Marina by 9 p.m. each day. Please note the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 is a private event and is not open to the general public. Tournament credentials are required for access to any tournament-related facilities, activities or social event.
Based on a field of 125 boats, the three heaviest white marlin and three heaviest blue marlin will each earn $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 respectively and the three heaviest tuna receive $75,000, $35,000 and $20,000 respectively. The heaviest single dolphin (mahi-mahi) and wahoo are each worth $10,000. To qualify for cash a white marlin must weigh at least 60 pounds and a blue marlin must weigh at least 400 pounds. All marlin under the minimum weight are released and the top three point winners in each billfish category will receive valuable awards. The minimum weight for tuna to win cash is 50 pounds and only big eye, yellowfin and longfin albacore are eligible. Any tuna over 50 pounds also receives points and the top three point winners will also valuable awards.
This is a trolling only tournament and although there is no limit to the number of lines or lures which can be used, live bait is not permitted. International Game Fish Association rules apply except that a fish may be hooked by any crew member and immediately handed off to the angler who must fight the fish until it is boated, released or lost.
The tournament benefits the International Game Fish Association and the Recreational Fishing Alliance and well over $1 million has been donated to these and other fishing -related organizations since 1992. The tournament is a qualifying event for the World Billfish Series and the Top Angler of the tournament will receive an invitation to compete in the WBS Grand Championship later this year in Costa Rica.
The dockside activities are as much a part of the tournament as the fishing and buffet dinners, live entertainment and liquid refreshments are enjoyed by tournament participants as they recap the day's events with fellow competitors under the Big Top tent. The Sponsor's Midway provides a chance to see the latest offering from tournament sponsors while the massive display of artwork by legendary marine artist Guy Harvey is always a popular spot where Guy himself is always willing to sign anything bearing his world-famous artwork.
The Mid-Atlantic $500,000 is proudly sponsored by Baitmasters of South Florida; Bernie Robbins Jewelers; Big Game Fishing Journal; Canyon Club Resort Marina; Canyon Runner; Christi Marine Insurance; Costa Marine; CWR Electronics; Engines Incorporated; Enterprise Rental Car; EZ2CY; FLIR Systems, Inc.; Fraser-Volpe; Garmin; Grace Energy; Guy Harvey; Homestead Realty; Johnson and Towers; Lucky Bones Backwater Grille; Mack Boring and Parts; MAN Engines and Components; Midlantic Gold Rush; OceanLED; Ocean Yachts; Offshore Financial; Pacific Fins Resort and Pelagic Offshore Gear. Additional sponsors include Penn Reels; Pettit Paint; PipeTowers; Pompanette; Premier Detailing and Boat Cleaning; PropSpeed; Ransome Engines; Raymarine; Saltwater Sportsman; South Jersey Marina; South Jersey Yacht Sales; Sperry Top Sider; Sturdy Bank; Sunset Marina; Twin Disc; Underwater Lights USA; Washington Inn; WKR Construction; World Billfish Series; WXWORX XM Satellite Weather and ZF Marine.
We will provide nightly updates shortly after the scales close at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday via e-mail which will include the day's fishing activity. A complete tournament wrap-up will be sent out via e-mail by 11 a.m. Saturday. For further information contact South Jersey Marina at 609-884-2400 or visit the tournament web site which features live weigh-in cam and a live chat during the tournament weigh-in hours at www.ma500.com
