Like a string of holiday decorations, green, red and white lights seemingly strung from boat to boat as the tournament fleet exited the harbor in the early morning darkness, snaking their way through the channel markers to their respective inlet.  As daylight approached, the thunderous roar of thousands of horsepower signaled it was time to "let 'em eat" and throttles fed the diesel engines fuel.  The fleet scattered like marbles on a tile floor in search of their prey – white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dolphin and wahoo.  As captains set their auto-pilot for what they hoped would yield a tournament contending fish, their mates prepped gear while anglers rehearsed in their minds what their duties would include when "the bite" occurred.  Though repeated day after day for many tournament anglers throughout the year, the thrill of the early morning departure never gets old.  With each day comes the anticipation - could this be the day, and quite possibly, could this could be the tournament?

Well over 125 tournament-tested crews are expected to share that anticipation next month as they gather for the 19th edition of the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 the week of August 15-20 at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, the tournament's signature port, and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland, the event's only official satellite port.  Set to coincide with the heart of the offshore fishing season, the catch results of this tournament rank among the best anywhere.  The past three year's have seen white marlin of 90-plus pounds take the top prize including 2009's tournament record 95-pounder by Scott Steele aboard his Topless.  Want more?  Consider it's taken a white marlin of at least 77 pounds to make the leaderboard three of the past four years.  Not impressed?  How about well over 300 billfish caught five of the last six years including a mind boggling 572 in 2006 and well over 90% of them released to fight again.  Still not convinced?  The Mid-Atlantic $500,000 set the standard for cash payouts in 1992 when it became the first million-dollar marlin tournament in the world and hasn't looked back as well over $1 million has been awarded every year since.  Combine that with the best dockside hospitality found in tournament fishing and you have an event that highlights the big game tournament season every summer.

The floating lay day format allows participants to choose their three fishing days from the five provided beginning Monday, August 16.  It'll take a hefty white marlin to make the leaderboard thanks to the 65-pound minimum weight while any blue marlin to be weighed must be at least 400 pounds.  Those who prefer to try their luck at tuna will need a 50-pounder to make the board in that category.  Undersized billfish released and tuna weighed will earn points toward beautiful tournament artwork by Guy Harvey.  The three heaviest white marlin and blue marlin will each earn $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 while the tuna category will payout $75,000, $35,000 and $20,000 for the top three thunnus.  If you're lucky enough to catch a trophy wahoo or dolphin, the heaviest of each species is worth a cool $10,000! Optional calcuttas will significantly increase the payouts of both billfish and the tuna category should the winners be part of those side bets.

Dockside hospitality is an important part of the tournament as buffet dinners over an adult beverage add to the festive atmosphere while live music provides background entertainment.  Guy Harvey's annual visit always attracts a large crowd seeking his famous signature on a tournament t-shirt, hat, print or other artwork.  The "Sponsor's Midway" under the Big Top tournament tent at Canyon Club offers tournament participants a chance to see the latest in offshore fishing and boating goods and services.    This year, Penn Fishing Tackle Company has announced its partnership with the 2010 Mid-Atlantic 500,000 and representatives and technical experts from Penn will be on site during tournament week providing no charge Penn reel repair services for all contestants fishing in the tournament.  "Penn Fishing looks forward to meeting and working with the tournament anglers," said Scott Dubiel, Penn Field Marketing Manager.  "This is an outstanding opportunity to help and work with some of our most serious anglers and loyal consumers."  Mid-Atlantic 500,000 participants will be able to locate the Penn Tour Trailer and Penn representatives at Canyon Club Resort Marina during the tournament. 

To be part of what has become the signature event of the summer offshore fishing season on the east coast you should act NOW!  For more information please contact Tournament Director Bob Glover at 609-884-2400 or visit the tournament's official web site at www.MA5000000.com. 

The 2010 Mid-Atlantic $500,000 is proudly sponsored by Premier Exhibiting Sponsors including Johnson & Towers, Raymarine, South Jersey Yacht Sales and XM Satellite Weather.  Additional sponsors include Baitmasters of South Florida; Big Game Fishing Journal; Canyon Club Resort Marina; Canyon Runner; Christi Insurance Group; Costa Marine; DeSatnick Real Estate; Engines Incorporated; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Fineline Glass; FLIR Systems, Inc.; Fraser-Volpe; Garmin; Grace Energy; Guy Harvey; ICOM; Interlux; KVH; Lucky Bones Backwater Grill; Mack Boring and Parts; MAN Engines and Components; Midlantic Gold Rush; Oceanview Marine Welding; Ocean Yachts; Offshore Electronics; Offshore Financial and Pelagic Offshore Gear. Additional sponsors include Overtemp, Penn Reels/Pure Fishing; Poly-Planer; Pompanette; Premier Detailing and Boat Cleaning; Ransome Engine/Caterpillar; Serago Roberts Jewelers/Ulysse Nardin; South Jersey Marina; Sperry Top-Sider; Sturdy Bank; Sunset Marina; Underwater Lights/Sea Vision; WKR Construction and World Billfish Series.