Though morning rain covered both tournament venues, by early afternoon a light breeze and mostly sunny skies were found along the coast. On the day, 114 boats gave it a go today, Day Three, of the 2020 MidAtlantic tournament and participants found beautiful sea conditions offshore. The billfish bite turned back on and numerous white marlin were caught but the 65-pound minimum weight remained tough to crack for most. Several blue marlin were also caught but with a minimum weight of 400 pounds to qualify it takes a big blue to make the leaderboard. The hot tuna bite continued and many yellowfins and one big eye were brought to the scales. Several dolphin were also weighed at both venues.
In the white marlin category, Pleasantville, New Jersey’s Rickey Wheeler aboard his Wish You Were Here weighed a white marlin of 68 pounds for angler Brian Hurley and moved into second place in the category. Seven Valley, Pennsylvania’s Chris Kinsley aboard his Kilo Charlie with Captain Howard Lynch at the wheel weighed a 66-pound white marlin for angler Christopher Kinsley to take over third place. Doug Allen’s Big Oil from North Cape May, New Jersey remains atop the category with the 77-pounder weighed on Day Two while Russ Garufi of Bishopville, Maryland’s aboard his Effie Mae is now in third place with the 65-pounder, also caught on Day Two.
The tuna category took a beating today as many were weighed and the leaderboard changed constantly. Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place with Captain Evan Millas at the wheel moved in to second place after weighing a 168-pound big eye tuna for Hugin who was also the angler. Belmar, New Jersey’s Justin Branning aboard his Three’s Enough with Captain Chuck Vanderbeck at the wheel moved into third place after weighing a yellowfin tuna of 67 pounds for Branning who was also the angler. Jupiter, Florida’s Mike Yocco aboard his MJ’s continues to set the pace atop the leaderboard with a 189-pound big eye weighed on Day Two.
In the dolphin category, Bill Haugland’s Light’s Out based out of Key Largo, Florida moved into third place after weighing a 28-pounder today. Steve Summers of Potomac, Maryland aboard Christine Marie remains in the lead with his 33-pounder caught on Day Two. New Castle, Delaware’s Michael Peete sits in second place aboard his No Quarter with a 32-pounder, also weighed on Day Two. Deane Lambros’ Canyon Runner based in Point Pleasant, New Jersey took the lead in the wahoo category after weighing a 42-pounder. Second and third place remain vacant in the category.
Finally, no qualifying blue marlin has been weighed through Day Three and the category remains wide open.
Some of the boats with significant billfish releases on Day Three include Kris Kubick’s Point Runner with 10 white marlin released while Peter Lorris’ Hydrosphere and James’ Davis Wave Paver each released eight white marlin. David Bowen’s Big Stick released seven white marlin and two blue marlin. Terrell Rhye’s Grander released five white marlin. Gary Stamm’s Buckshot and Michael Savino’s Texas Tea released one blue marlin and three white marlin. Ryan Putnam’s Is That So released two white marlin and one blue marlin. Judith Duffie’s Billfisher, Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun and Jamie Diller’s Canyon Lady each released four white marlin. Doug Allen’s Big Oil and John Conrad’s Gret’s Three J’s each released three white marlin today. Some of the boats with two white marlin released on Day Three include Michael Scagnelli’s Top Shot; Bill Haugland’s Lights Out; Joe Drosey’s Rhonda’s Osprey; Ed Russo’s Big Deal; Dave Anderson’s Krazy Salts; Sean O’Donnell’s Got Game and Michael Rothberg’s Double Barrel.
Please note the MidAtlantic tournament is a private event. Nightly weigh-in sessions at Canyon Club Resort Marina and Sunset Marina as well as other tournament venues are not open to the general public and require credentials for entry. All local, state and federal procedures with regard to Covid-19 are being followed to ensure the health and safety of all tournament staff, sponsors and participants.
For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177. Be sure to visit the tournament’s official web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about the 2020 MidAtlantic including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, tournament records and an event schedule. You’ll also find a link to purchase official tournament merchandise. Additionally, each night you can follow the weigh-in session with live video feed from both marinas via a link on the tournament’s web site. You can also follow all the action on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter; @midatl and on Instagram; @themidatlantictournament.
