MD White Marlin Open Sees 80-Pound Catch Claim Top Winnings

The 53rd Annual White Marlin Open in Ocean City over the weekend saw the top ranking go to a South Carolina-based team that reeled in an 80-pound white marlin.

The 80-pounder was caught by Bill Sharpe of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, who was aboard the Mister Pete vessel during the tournament.

Projected winnings for the catch were listed at $3.5 million.

The second-place ranking went to Kevin Howell, from Queenstown in Queen Anne's County. Howell, who was aboard the Reel Hunter vessel, pulled in a 71.5-pound white marlin that earned approximately $355,000.

James Hood, a second South Carolina fisherman boating aboard the Bull Pen, rounded out the top-three ranking with a 70-pound marlin.

Organizers said that while Hood's catch came in third by weight, the Bull Pen team is projected to win $1.8 million "because of the Added Entry Levels purchased by the boat."

In the dolphinfish division, Ryan Jones from Charles County was declared the winner after landing a 45-pound catch. Winnings were estimated at $22,000.

While second place went to a Pennsylvania fisherman who caught a 40.5-pound dolphin, third place went to Anne Arundel County's Andrew Somerville and Bill Collector vessel. The team recorded a 37-pound dolphinfish, projected to win $20,000.

Additional wins with ties to Anne Arundel County were recorded by James Wright, an Arnold fisherman who caught a 76.5-pound tuna, and Pasadena's Dylan Treff, who caught a 78-pound tuna.

See a full list of the winnings online.