Cape May is ready to host the tournament known for well over two decades as the “Main Event” for big game tournament anglers the MidAtlantic boasts a rich tradition of great fishing, exceptional dockside hospitality and a family-friendly tournament atmosphere at host marinas located within two of the Atlantic coast’s most famous and popular summer resort towns – Cape May, New Jersey and Ocean City, Maryland.
Throw in a cash purse that’s consistently topped $1.5 million and it’s easy to see why this event is circled on the big game tournament calendars of the top boats and crews along the eastern seaboard each year.
For 2014 the MidAtlantic has a new look that includes a reduced entry fee and more opportunities for participants to share in a cash purse that’s projected to top $2 million! The $2500 entry fee covers all the dockside dining, beverages and entertainment for the week for a crew of six. Calcutta options have been expanded to allow entry for as little as an additional $2000 however those who wish to splurge can still participate as they have in the past only now there are even more ways to win bigger payouts!
Tournament week is set for August 17-22 and once again Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May and Sunset Marina in Ocean City will welcome participants from New England to Florida and beyond for another exciting week of offshore tournament fishing. The expanded calcutta options will continue to offer a chance to win large cash prizes for the three heaviest white marlin, blue marlin and tuna while new meatfish calcuttas this year will also include additional payouts for tuna and new opportunities for wahoo and dolphin to win substantial cash!
If you are more of a tuna fisherman, you can now put more money in that direction and keep in mind boats fishing from Cape May are closest to the Wilmington Canyon as well as the northern tuna grounds.
While the tournament entry fee and prize payout structure have changed, rules to insure fair competition and an even playing field for boats of all sizes have not. All participants must select a port, either Cape May or Ocean City, from which they will sail and return during the tournament. However, all participants must fish within 125 miles of the Cape May Sea Buoy.
Five fishing days are provided during tournament week and the tournament’s Captain’s Choice format allows participants to select three days to fish. Boats may not clear their respective inlet’s sea buoy prior to 4:30 a.m. and fishing hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
All fish available for weigh-in must be at the participant’s selected inlet host marina by 9 p.m. each day.
Complimentary shuttle service will also be provided in Cape May between participating marinas and the historic downtown district.
The offshore fishing season is off to a great start as big eye and yellowfin tuna as well as wahoo and dolphin have begun to show in respectable numbers off the south Jersey and Maryland coasts. White marlin and blue marlin have also made a good showing with the first of both species caught in late June. Entries to this year’s MidAtlantic are already off to a good start so if you plan to be part of this very special event you should act now! For further information please contact Tournament Director Bob Glover at 609-884-2400.
