80-Pound White Marlin Takes the Lead at the 2026 White Marlin Open

The crew of Mister Pete made sure there would be no waiting for excitement when the White Marlin Open scales opened Thursday afternoon.

The boat was already positioned at Harbour Island Marina when the scales opened at 4 p.m., carrying a white marlin that would dramatically change the tournament leaderboard.

After measuring 74.5 inches and clearing the tournament’s qualifying requirements, the fish was lifted onto the scale. It weighed 80 pounds, immediately moving into first place in the white marlin division.

The fish was caught by angler Bill Sharpe of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Official tournament records show it was boated at 9:57 Thursday morning.

Sharpe’s catch moved ahead of the 70-pound white marlin caught Wednesday by James Hood aboard Bull Pen. That fish remains in second place with an estimated payout of just over $2 million.

The new leader aboard Mister Pete is currently projected to earn approximately $3.6 million. White Marlin Open payouts are determined by the added-entry levels entered by each boat, meaning prize estimates do not always correspond directly with leaderboard position.

The 2026 White Marlin Open continues through Saturday, August 8, giving the fleet two more days to challenge the 80-pound leader. All standings and projected payouts remain unofficial and are subject to change until the tournament concludes.