OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND — The 53rd annual White Marlin Open took place in Ocean City, Maryland, distributing an estimated $9.9 million in prize money among competing anglers. The tournament concluded on Saturday, August 8, 2026, after a six-day event that saw 334 boats registered to compete for the record-breaking pool.

Bill Sharpe of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, won the white marlin division with an 80-pound fish caught aboard the boat Mister Pete. The winning white marlin catch earned $3,503,891.54, marking the largest single payout of the tournament.

Kevin Howell of Queenstown, Maryland, placed second in the white marlin division with a 71.5-pound fish caught aboard the boat Reel Hunter. The second-place white marlin catch earned $360,721.49.

In the blue marlin division, Kelly Weber of Vero Beach, Florida, won with a 607.5-pound fish caught aboard the boat MaxBet. The winning blue marlin catch earned $1,271,797.04.

John Wardlaw of Brielle, New Jersey, secured victories in two separate divisions during the competition. Wardlaw won the tuna division with a 179-pound fish caught aboard the boat Gray Fox, earning $1,018,653.29 for the catch.

Anthony Rubino of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, placed third in the tuna division with a catch aboard the boat See Legs. The third-place tuna catch earned $111,965.79.

Shane Schneidinger placed second in the dolphinfish division with a catch aboard the boat Meraki. The second-place dolphinfish catch earned $21,602.20.

Andrew Somerville IV of Great Falls, Virginia, placed third in the dolphinfish division with a 37-pound fish caught aboard the boat Bill Collector. The third-place dolphinfish catch earned $20,602.20.

Dylan Treff of Pasadena, Maryland, won the Daily Small Boat Tuna prize with a 78-pound tuna caught aboard the boat Reel Moore. The Daily Small Boat Tuna winner earned approximately $12,000.

Weigh-ins for the tournament occurred at Harbour Island Marina. There were no qualifying catches in the swordfish category.

The 2026 White Marlin Open introduced a six-day format, allowing participants to choose three fishing days within the window, a structural change aimed at increasing competitiveness and participant flexibility. The event impacted more than 3,000 anglers, according to a report from Maryland Bay News.

Ocean City, Maryland, is recognized as the 'White Marlin Capital of the World,' a title tied to its historical significance as a hub for white marlin fishing and the annual White Marlin Open tournament. Madelyne Motsko, daughter of the tournament's founder Jim Motsko, now leads the White Marlin Open, continuing her family's legacy in organizing the event since its inception.

The White Marlin Open was founded in 1974 by Jim Motsko, with the first tournament featuring 57 boats and a total prize pool of $20,000, now evolving into a 53-year-old event that has awarded over $121 million in prizes. The 2025 White Marlin Open awarded $7.24 million in prize money, with the top individual prize reaching $3.9 million, reflecting a significant increase from the tournament's inaugural $20,000 payout in 1974.

In 2023, John Ols won $6.2 million for catching a 640.5-pound blue marlin aboard the boat Floor Reel, according to a report from Maryland Bay News. Anglers who win $50,000 or more in the White Marlin Open are required to undergo a polygraph test before receiving their prize, a policy implemented to ensure the legitimacy of catches and payouts.