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In 1973, while on his honeymoon in Andros Island, Jim Motsko observed money changing hands, literally in brown paper bags, at the conclusion of a local billfish tournament. Motsko, an experienced mate, loved the idea of a fishing tournament but wasn’t interested in handling the side bets. He wondered about creating a tournament with a fixed entry fee and a large, guaranteed purse as the enticement to participate. At that moment, the idea for the White Marlin Open was born. Motsko returned to his home in Ocean City, Maryland, and, along with his new wife and cousin, began to organize and publicize the first annual $20,000 White Marlin Open to be held in late summer of 1974. Fifty-seven boats entered that year, and questions swirled as to whether the winner would actually receive the guaranteed prize money—right up to the moment that Motsko awarded Vince Sorenson with a $5,000 check for his first-place 68.5-pound white marlin. Indeed, Motsko had to take out a loan that first year to meet the tournament expenses.
Little did the organizers know that this fledgling tournament would quickly grow into arguably the largest and richest billfish tournament in the world. In the 52 years since, the numbers are staggering: 15,000 boats and 110,000 anglers entered, and $120 million in total prize money awarded. The 50th anniversary tournament in 2023 attracted 400 boats and had a $10.5 million purse. A local boat and local angler took home a world-record $6.2 million for the winning blue marlin.
There is no doubt that eye-popping purses like that will attract anglers from all over the world, both professional and amateur, for a chance to cash in. But the White Marlin Open is so much more than that. Organizers and participants frequently speak of the three C’s—competition, camaraderie and conservation—as the foundation of the tournament.
The best billfish anglers in the world converge on Ocean City every August to compete at the highest level of their sport. Anglers have commented that the high competition level of the White Marlin Open drove them to sharpen their skills and become better anglers. Many participants say the tournament is their Super Bowl. Fishermen come to enjoy themselves, but make no mistake, most anglers are serious competitors. Meticulous preparation, intense focus, detailed intelligence gathering and visceral hunches all play a part as each boat and each angler tries to best the others.
While professional crews and seasoned anglers certainly have an edge in tournament fishing, anyone can fish the Open, and novice and rookie anglers have found success. Recent examples include an upstate New York dairy farmer who caught his first billfish—a 897.5-pound blue marlin—to win that division in 2024. In 2025, an angler with only one previous billfish to his credit and fishing his first WMO caught a 929.5-pound blue marlin to win that category and take home a handsome sum of $1.2 million.
Ocean City is known as the “White Marlin Capital of the World.” The fishery off the coast of Maryland is outstanding in the summer months, with marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin congregating in the offshore canyons. White marlin, in particular, favor these areas in the late summer. It is not unusual for 1,000 or more white marlin to be caught during tournament week. But despite the terrific action, keen competition and potential for huge rewards, conservation of these magnificent fish remains a priority. The tournament sets high minimums to qualify for any prize money (70 inches and 70 pounds), and anglers honor that spirit. Even fish that have met the minimum length have been returned because anglers knew they wouldn’t make the minimum weight. Release rates are in the 98 to 99 percent range. In 2023, with over $10 million on the line, 602 of the 605 marlin caught were returned to the ocean. The 99.5 percent release rate ranks among the highest in the tournament’s history, and likely the highest of any similar tournaments around the world.
Finally, the camaraderie between the competitors stands as a hallmark of the White Marlin Open. The tournament is a family business, and that family feel permeates to all who participate. The competition is fierce and the purse is gigantic, but many anglers will tell you the friendships made and rekindled each year are one of the WMO’s greatest aspects. These men and women all want to beat each other, but they also appreciate being a part of this great billfishing community and recognize how blessed they are to participate in this amazing sport. This kinship can be felt all week but especially during registration, when everyone is finally in town and the possibilities for the week are endless. Walk around as anglers sign up and you will see the hugs, hear the laughter, listen to the chatter and feel the goodwill. The camaraderie is palpable.
Another important aspect that sets the White Marlin Open apart is how Ocean City and its community of sport-fishing fans have embraced it. During “Marlin Week,” signs line the Route 50 bridge and Coastal Highway, welcoming all to the WMO. On the opening Monday of the tournament, thousands of fans wake up at 4 a.m. and line the inlet to cheer on the parade of boats as they head out to the canyons. Inlet restaurants open early for the event and broadcast live reports from their decks. Each night at the Harbour Island weigh-ins, several thousand spectators gather to see big fish, many of them arriving hours before the scales open at 4 p.m. and staying right up to closing time at 9:15 p.m. Anglers report people hanging out of their condo windows, hooting and hollering as boats come up the Assawoman Bay with their big catches. Bars show the weigh-in livestream on their big screens. Marlin Fest, held at the inlet during tournament week, had 60,000 visitors in 2025, playing beach games, listening to live music, cheering in the boats as they returned for the day, and watching the weigh-ins on a beach big screen. Beyond the town, watching the online stream of the tournament weigh-ins has grown exponentially. Last year, over 500,000 unique visitors tuned in from over 100 countries.
From brown paper bags in the Bahamas to million-dollar payouts in Ocean City, the White Marlin Open’s journey is as improbable as it is inspiring. What started with one man’s idea has transformed into a tradition that draws anglers and fans from every corner of the globe. And yet, half a century later, the tournament’s heartbeat remains unchanged.
Marinas
- Harbour Island Marina
- (host marina, location of weigh-ins)
- Sunset Marina
- OC Fishing Center
- White Marlin Marina
- Bahia Marina
- Fisherman’s Marina
Dining
- Sunset Grille
- Reel Inn
- MR Ducks
- Liquid Assets
- Spain Wine Bar
Lodging
- Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (10,000+ rooms)
- Holiday Real Estate
- Coldwell Banker
- Central Reservations Ocean City
Charters
- Sunset Marina
- OC Fishing Center
- White Marlin Marina
- Bahia Marina
- Fisherman’s Marina
