Though the Chamber of Commerce-like weather continued along the beach on Day Four of the 2012 Mid-Atlantic $500,000, an east northeast breeze added a light chop offshore for the 52 boats that gave it a go today. With Monday lost to a weather forecast which, looking back, turned out to be a bust, much of the fleet fished two days back-to-back and quite a few took their second Lay Day (non fishing day) today. While some crews spent time catching up on routine tackle and boat maintenance, others enjoyed a relaxing day at the pool, beach or took in the local sights and sounds of Cape May and Ocean City. With 89 boats left to fish on Day Five, anything can happen on what over the years has been referred to as Moving Day in this tournament when the leaderboard often takes a beating. We’ll see what tomorrow brings, but for now, let’s get back to what took place today, Day Four.
Robert Warder of Parkton, Maryland on his Reelentless remains atop the white marlin category with his 79-pounder. There’s still a tie for second place between Adam Youschak of Wildwood, New Jersey aboard his Reelin’ Feelin’ and Rusty Palmer of Berlin, Maryland aboard the Tighten Up as each have weighed white marlin of 70 pounds.
The blue marlin category continues to be lead by Brent Morrison of St. Augustine, Florida aboard his Why Knot with his 416-pounder. Second and third place remain vacant.
Anthony Matarese of Ocean City, Maryland remains in the lead in the tuna category with his 233-pound big eye taken on Reel Chaos. Barry Weshnak’s Miss Annie of Singer Island, Florida continues to hold on to second place with a 224-pounder. Tom Ely of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey on his Irish Twin is still in third place with a 217-pound big eye.
Don Pyle of Annapolis, Maryland holds the lead in the dolphin category with a 43- pounder aboard his Moore Bills. Dave Anderson of Medford, New Jersey aboard his Krazy Salts weighed a 42-pound wahoo today to take the lead in that category.
Some of the boats with significant billfish releases on Day Four include five white marlin released by Lincoln, Rhode Island’s Ernest Audet aboard his Lisa K and Joppa, Maryland’s Danny Jones aboard his Reel Toy as well as Garden Ridge, Texas’ John Aramendia aboard his Give It Away. Susan McCart of Ocean City, Maryland aboard her Reel Joy and Robert Pastorius of Boynten Beach, Florida aboard his Rhonda’s Osprey each released four white marlin. Ed Dunn of Grasonville, Maryland released a white marlin and two blue marlin from his D.A. Sea. Krazy Salts released a blue marlin and a white marlin. Ed Amos of Woodbine, Maryland aboard his Drillin’ & Billin’ released three white marlin and a blue marlin. For information on individual boats release points as well as leaders in the white marlin and blue marlin point categories, please visit the tournament web site.
Be sure to visit the tournament’s official web site at www.MA500.com where you’ll find a link to view the nightly weigh-in sessions live from Canyon Club and Sunset Marina simply by clicking on the logo of either marina. For further information on the tournament contact South Jersey Marina at 609-884-2400 or visit the tournament’s official web site at www.MA500.com where you’ll find the latest information including rules, photos, standings and a link to purchase official tournament apparel.
_–– Source: Jeff Merrill | South Jersey Tournaments _
