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2025 White Marlin Open

August 4-10, 2025
Join thousands as they come to Ocean City, MD
for the largest billfish tournament in the world
52nd year

Tournament Info
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8/4 – 8/10

The 2025 White Marlin Open

  • August 4-10, 2025
  • 282 Boats
  • $7.3 MIL Estimated Prize Money
  • Fishing 8am – 3:30pm
  • Due to Weather Fishing Days have been extended through August 10th
  • Weigh-in 4pm-9:15pm at Harbour Island Marina

The White Marlin Open in Ocean City, MD is The World’s Largest Billfishing Tournament!

The White Marlin Open, held each August in Ocean City, Maryland, is the largest and most prestigious billfishing tournament on the planet. Since its launch in 1974, this legendary event has awarded over $113 million in prize money, attracting top anglers from around the world.

From Humble Beginnings to Record-Breaking Prizes

The first White Marlin Open drew 57 boats and 150 anglers, competing for a total purse of just $20,000. In 2024, the event featured 318 boats and over 3,000 participants, awarding a jaw-dropping $8.59 million—including a single top prize of $3.7 million.

A Deep-Sea Challenge Along the Gulf Stream

Each summer, gamefish including white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo migrate north along the Gulf Stream, setting the stage for intense offshore competition. The White Marlin Open offers both seasoned pros and ambitious newcomers a chance to compete for massive payouts and global bragging rights.

“What Happens to the Fish?

The majority of the fish caught during the White Marlin Open are donated to local food banks, providing thousands of pounds of fresh healthy fish to the community.   Catch-n-Carry  cleans, seals, and flash freezes the fish. Then it is distributed to local charities.

Tournament Registration and Official Site

If you’re an angler wishing to participate, register on the tournament’s website for your chance to reel in a life-changing fish. The base entry fee is $1,400 per boat on or before June 1st, $1,700 after June 1st.

Marlin Fest in Ocean City, MD

11am -9pm At The Inlet

2025 Overall Leaderboard
2025 Payouts by Entry Level
2025 Top Anglers & Boats
2025 Payouts by Fish

White Marlin Open News

Read the latest Articles and tournament updates on the White Marlin Open 2024

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Live Webcams
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FAQ

White Marlin Open FAQs

White Marlin Open

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Where and when is the White Marlin Open held?

The White Marlin Open is held in Ocean City, Maryland, typically during the first full week of August.
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How can I watch the weigh-ins?

The weigh-ins are free and open to the public. They take place at Harbour Island at 14th Street and the Bay in Ocean City each day of the tournament, typically from 4:00 PM to 9:15 PM.

You can also watch the weigh-ins on the live screen at Marlin Fest in the inlet parking lot.

 

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Can I participate in the tournament as an angler?

Yes, but there’s a registration fee and limited space. Registration details are usually available on the White Marlin Open’s official website.
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What is the White Marlin Open?

It’s the world’s largest and richest billfish tournament. Anglers from around the globe compete to catch white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, and dolphin fish (mahi-mahi).
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What are the prizes?

The prize money varies depending on the number of boats entered and the categories won. The purse can reach millions of dollars.
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Are there any other events during the White Marlin Open?

Yes, there are often associated events like the Marlin Fest at the Inlet, which features vendors, live music, and food.
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Where can I find more information about the tournament?

OceanCity.com will have lots of great content on the tournament throughout the week.  In addition, the official website (whitemarlinopen.com) is the best source for up-to-date information.
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Is there parking available near the weigh-in location?

Parking can be limited, especially during peak weigh-in times. Consider alternative transportation options like the Ocean City bus system.  There is parking at the Ocean City Convention Center and the Town of Ocean City frequently runs shuttles from there to Harbour Island.
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What should I bring to the weigh-ins?

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. It can get hot and sunny on the docks. Also, bring your camera or phone to capture the action.  You can bring water – but you may also be able to buy water from entrepreneurial vendors.  As usual, bring money if you want to buy an iconic White Marlin Open t-shirt or other cool stuff from vendors.

 

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Are there accommodations available in Ocean City during the tournament?

Yes, but book well in advance, as hotels and rentals tend to fill up quickly during the White Marlin Open.  You can find Ocean City hotels here. You can search for availability and rates here: https://hotels.oceancity.com/ If you can’t find a hotel in Ocean City, you might try Salisbury.
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Are there any articles I can read to learn more about the WMO?

Yes, absolutely.  Katie Ruskey has come up with several articles to educate readers about the WMO.  Here are just a few for 2024:
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What happens to the fish that are caught at the White Marlin Open?

The White Marlin Open has several rules designed to minimize the number of fish that are actually killed and brought to the scales.  Then, the tournament encourages the anglers to donate their catches to charities in the Ocean City area who help feed those in need.  Catch n Carry processes and flash freezes the fish before distributing the meat to 3 local charities including the Maryland Food Bank.  For more information, you can read this article: https://www.oceancity.com/the-fate-of-fish-at-the-white-marlin-open-in-ocean-city-a-conservation-success-story/
Categories: Events Fishing in Ocean City White Marlin Open
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Can I bring my pet to Ocean City and watch the White Marlin Open on the Big Screen?

We have gotten this question and there is no sanctioned area.  However, if you have a leashed pet, you will not be turned away from the Marlin Fest area at the Inlet.
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White Marlin Open OCMD

White Marlin Open Live Webcams

Watch the boats return and weigh-ins live from the White Marlin Open official scales at Harbour Island.  The live cams start streaming around 4pm and end around 9pm.

Where to Watch the White Marlin Open

There are many ways to watch the White Marlin Open – not just the weigh-ins, but the Marlin Fest, the boats heading out at 4 am from the inlet, and the boats headed back to Harbour Island for the weigh-ins.

If you can’t be in Ocean City to watch, you can always tune in to the best live webcams in Ocean City tuned into the action.

White Marlin Open in Ocean City
Aerial of Harbor Island weigh-in location.

Harbour Island

Harbour Island at 14th Street and the Bay is the home to the official scales.  This is an exciting place to be and can get very crowded.  Go early, set up your spot.  Bring a blanket and sit back and relax and enjoy the crowd.  Weigh-ins begin and 4 pm and run until about 9:30 pm.  The Town usually has a shuttle set up if you want to park at the Convention Center.  Otherwise, get there early to find a parking spot on the street.

white marlin open unscene productions ocean city maryland photos drones
Photo from Unscene Productions

Marlin Fest at the Inlet

If you want a little more breathing room, but you still like the in-person feel of a festival, head to Marlin Fest at the Inlet parking lot.  You will be able to see the boats head back to Harbour Island with their catches and flying the flags showing what they caught.  There will be a live-stream of the weigh-ins as well as live music, vendors, and more.

Along the water to see the Boats

Lots of people head to the inlet to watch the boats go out early in the morning when Marlin Fest activities are all asleep.  There or along the inlet by the Oceanic Motel (or from the Oceanic Motel balconies) or from the Bayside Park at 3rd Street.

From waterfront bars or restaurants 

Who doesn’t love to eat and drink while being entertained?  We recommend:

    • The Wedge – on the inlet
    • Spain – on top of the Cambria Hotel with a great view of the entire inlet area and Assateague.
    • The View – inside the Cambria – right at boat level with an outside deck area.
    • The Angler – a view like their webcam but with better food and drinks:-)
    • Beach Barrels – on some of their 13 High Definition TV’s with an incredible sound system!

White Marlin Open Boat Cams

Two of the bars or restaurants where you can watch the boats come in for the White Marlin Open have webcams on OceanCity.com.  These webcams show you the view so if you can’t be here in person to join us for refreshments, then you can still enjoy the same view from their live webcams in Ocean City, Maryland.

Ocean City live webcam from the Cambria

Cambria Hotel Bayview and Route 50 bridge

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Ocean City live webcam from the Angler by the Route 50 bridge

Drone Footage of 2023 WMO

If you want to see the crowds you might encounter and you want to see what Harbour Island looks like from the air, check out this video.

Official White Marlin Open Tournament Leaderboard and Prize Pool

See the latest standing and prize pool.

Event Details
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