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On a warm summer day in 1991, Dick Weber—then president and owner of South Jersey Marina—unveiled an ambitious plan for what he called “the mother of all marlin tournaments.” Weber had a knack for producing first-class events. In the 1980s, his Marlin Mardi Gras was the first East Coast tournament to guarantee a six-figure purse, paired with lavish dockside hospitality and a black-tie awards ceremony at an Atlantic City casino owned by a then-little-known developer named Donald Trump.
By the early 1990s, Weber wanted something bigger. Offshore tournaments rarely offered more than $50,000 in prize money, so he set out to create a marquee event that combined style, serious payouts and top-level competition. In 1992, the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 was born. It drew 131 boats, paid out just over $1 million, and became the world’s first million-dollar billfish tournament. More than three decades later, the event—now known simply as The MidAtlantic—remains one of the most prestigious and anticipated tournaments on the summer circuit, drawing the best boats and crews year after year.
Late August is prime time off the mid-Atlantic coast. White marlin flood the canyons, with nine of the past 10 tournaments producing more than 400 white marlin and an astounding 810 fish tallied in 2016. Blue marlin are also in the mix, with recent winners weighing upward of 650 pounds, far above the 400-pound qualifying minimum. Tuna, dolphin and wahoo round out the leaderboard, adding variety and excitement to the weigh-ins. Current tournament records include a 95-pound white marlin, a 1,135-pound blue marlin and a 254-pound tuna, along with notable dolphin and wahoo records of 56 and 104 pounds, respectively.
The growth of the fleet and the size of modern sport-fishing yachts eventually led to the tournament’s expansion. Today, The MidAtlantic operates from two ports: Cape May, New Jersey, and Ocean City, Maryland—both premier fishing destinations and popular family vacation spots. While boats may depart from either port, a 125-mile boundary from the Cape May sea buoy ensures a level playing field.
Though it doesn’t boast the largest field or single biggest payout, The MidAtlantic consistently delivers one of the sport’s richest purses, averaging around $5 million across a fleet of roughly 200 boats. Its unique prize structure spreads the wealth, producing multiple million-dollar winners and more than a dozen additional teams cashing six-figure checks. With awards across five categories—white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dolphin and wahoo—the tournament keeps competition fierce until the final day.
Dockside, the atmosphere is as much a draw as the fishing. Both venues provide nightly buffets, complimentary drinks and live entertainment. Families flock to Cape May’s Victorian charm, boutique shopping and Washington Street Mall, while Ocean City offers resort hotels, its iconic boardwalk, and nearby outlet shopping in Rehoboth Beach. The tournament has mastered the balance of elite competition and family-friendly fun, making it a highlight of the late-summer season for anglers and vacationers alike.
Now firmly established as one of the crown jewels of East Coast sport fishing, The MidAtlantic continues to set the standard for high-stakes tournaments. With its combination of record catches, multimillion-dollar payouts and unbeatable dockside camaraderie, it remains a can’t-miss event for captains, crews and their families every August.
Marinas
Cape May
Canyon Club Resort Marina
South Jersey Marina
Ocean City
Sunset Marina
All three offer in-slip fuel, bait, ice and well-stocked ship stores. Canyon Club and Sunset marinas have full-service centers with large travel lifts. A free shuttle is available in Cape May during tournament week.
Dining
Cape May
The Washington Inn
410 Bank Street
The Ebbitt Room (in the Virginia Hotel)
The Lobster House (a seafood classic)
C-View Inn (wings and beer)
Primal (steaks and chops)
Ocean City
Sunset Grille & Teasers Bar
(crab cakes and Orange Crushes)
Harborside Bar & Grille
Mickey Fins Bar & Grill
MR Ducks
Harrison’s Harbor Watch
Sello’s Italian Oven & Bar
Charters
Cape May
South Jersey Marina fleet
Ocean City
Sunset Marina fleet
White Marlin Marina fleet
Options include offshore big-game charters or nearshore bottomfishing trips during lay days.
