With less than two weeks to go before “Tournament Week” gets underway, the entry list for this year’s MidAtlantic is growing rapidly as crews are not taking the chance on being left out of sportfishing’s “Main Event” on the 2024 tournament calendar. “We’ve seen a sharp increase in our pre-registration over the past couple weeks and a big part of that no doubt is related to the excellent billfish bite that’s been going on,” notes Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman. To ensure the best possible hospitality, service and tournament experience port caps have once again been set at 125 boats each for Cape May, New Jersey and Ocean City, Maryland for this year’s event. “Registration via the tournament web site is quick, safe, secure and easy and also expedites the check-in time for participants at the Welcome Party on Sunday, August 18,” adds Hoffman.
Thus far, there have been few faults to find with regard to this summer’s offshore action. Billfish have been quite abundant through July as crews along the playing area of the MidAtlantic tournament have been scoring some big numbers on day trips and overnighters. For much of July double digit release trips of white marlin have been quite common while encounters with blue marlin have also been above average for this early in the billfish season as the best of the action usually doesn’t get started until late July or early August. Tuna fanatics have also been quite pleased with what they have seen offshore as well with plenty of big eyes already decked and many of them well over 150 pounds. Throw in a smattering of dolphin and wahoo that have also made a showing the past couple weeks and it’s easy to see why the excitement continues to build as this year’s MidAtlantic tournament nears! Last year saw a field of over 180 boats battle for a total cash purse of $5.79 million with nearly three dozen winners taking home a piece of the pot!
The 33rd MidAtlantic runs this year from August 18-23 and participants may sail from two designated ports. As always, Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey is the primary host venue for the tournament. Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland is the event’s designated marina for participants who choose to sail from that port. Both venues once again will have full weigh-in for their participants. Last minute registration and calcutta payments can be completed at either venue prior to the Captain’s Meeting which will be held
simultaneously at both venues on August 18. Participants will choose three days to fish of five available during August 19-23 and regardless of registration port, all boats must fish within 125 miles of the Cape May Sea Buoy and must also sail and return to their designated port each fishing day. Boats may not clear their respective inlet’s sea buoy prior to 3 AM and fishing hours are 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Weigh-in begins each evening at 5 PM and closes at 9 PM. Participants shall comply with IGFA angling and equipment rules except a fish may be hooked by anyone in the crew provided the rod is immediately handed off after hook-up to the angler who fights the fish until boated or released. The MidAtlantic is a trolling only tournament and there is no limit to the number of lines or teasers that may be used though line test is 130-pound test maximum as stated on the line manufacturer’s label. Harpoons, dart gaffs, greensticks and live bait are all prohibited.
Cash prizes from the tournament’s 11 various calcuttas are awarded for the three heaviest white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dolphin and wahoo. A white marlin must weigh at least 65 pounds AND measure 69 inches while blue marlin must weigh 400 pounds AND measure 102 inches. Measurements of billfish are the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail. Only big eye, yellowfin and true albacore are eligible and the minimum weight is set at 50 pounds. Minimum weight for any wahoo or dolphin is 20 pounds. Points are awarded for billfish weighed and released and tuna weighed and custom trophies are awarded for the top three point winners in each category as well as most points overall.
Time is getting short and if you haven’t signed up yet to be part of six days of fun, fishing and dockside hospitality and entertainment as well as taking a shot at a portion of a projected cash purse of well over $5 million, don’t delay! Dockage at host marinas is fill up fast and to be close to all the excitement reaching out for transient dockage should be done ASAP! With a little luck this may be your year stand on the stage at the awards ceremony holding a big cardboard check made out to your boat that could possibly have seven digits in the payout amount line!
For more information on this year’s MidAtlantic contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about the event including a complete breakdown of calcuttas, rules, points, and a Tournament Week schedule. You can also follow along on social media Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.
