BIG MONEY UP FOR GRABS IN TOURNAMENT

The crew aboard the Marli took first place in the Heaviest Total Weight division of the 21st annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament last year. The total tuna weight was 453 pounds, which earned the anglers $107,102. On the second day of the event, they boated two tuna, a dolphin and a wahoo (pictured). (July 3, 2009) Bluefin, yellowfin and big eye tuna are the prime catches anglers will be looking for during the 22nd annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament, July 10-12.

Early registration ends at 5 p.m. today (Friday, July 3). The cost is $800 to enter (limit of six anglers per team). Final registration will take place Thursday, July 9, from 3-7 p.m. at the Ocean City Fishing Center in West Ocean City. A captains' meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. that night.

For those who miss early registration, the cost is $900 per boat. There are seven added entry levels, A-G, this year. Costs range from $200 to $5,000. To enter into all seven skill levels costs $10,000. Anglers may enter into one or all of the added entry level categories, which, if they place on the top of the leader board, could substantially increase the amount of prize money taken home.

Ben Pollmeier weighs a tuna at the Ocean City Fishing Center during 21st annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament last year. The Level G calcutta was added last year and costs $200 to enter. Fifty percent of the pot will go to the angler who reels in the heaviest tuna. The rest of the money will be split between two local organizations, Wish- A-Fish Foundation and the Ocean City Recreation & Parks Youth Fishing Clinic. Anglers get a chance to win additional money, while at the same time, helping children, added tournament director Jennifer Blunt.

Last year, each organization received $2,500.

"We added the calcutta because we wanted to support the community, youth and fishing," Blunt said.

The Level F "Pro Tuna Jackpot" Winner Takes All costs $5,000 to enter, but it pays off for the angler with the heaviest single tuna. That is, as long as they sign up for the calcutta.

Only about eight boats registered for the Level F the first year (2005). In 2008, 38 entered. The Level F pot itself totaled $171,000 last year.

Gunner Zorn holds the 30-pound dolphin he caught aboard Squidnation during the 21st annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament last year. The dolphin placed second place in the division and was worth $1,000. "[Anglers] like it because of the amount of cash they can win for just one fish. It's a lot of money for catching just one fish," Blunt said. "I think most of the people who enter it are pretty confident in their skills and who go out fishing for tuna every day."

Pre-registration for the 2009 tournament is about the same as it was last year, Blunt said, but several first-timers have already signed up. Many anglers wait until the last day to watch the weather forecast and decide how much money they want to invest. A majority of the participants have fished in the tournament many times over the years, she added.

Since its inception in 1988, the tournament has grown from 38 boats and a total payout of $9,000 to 128 boats and a cash payout of $571,470 in 2008. Participation was down a bit last year from the 139 boats registered in 2007.

"Everything was great last year. It went very smoothly and we received a lot of compliments on how well it was run," Blunt said. "We were very happy we were only down 11 boats, with the economy and high fuel costs. I don't think the tournament was hindered at all..."

As far as tuna fishing goes this season, Blunt said bluefin and yellowfin are moving into the area just in time for the tournament. Bluefin tend to be the larger of the two and more have been boated. Anglers can only keep one bluefin larger than 47 inches, one 27-47 inches and three 73 inches or bigger per day. Three yellowfin per person per day are allowed. There is a 30-pound minimum weight requirement for all eligible tuna.

In the past few years, Blunt said not many yellowfin have been spotted in the area. This year, they've seemed to come back, she added.

More than a dozen were brought to the Fishing Center scale last weekend, Blunt said, along with a 210-pound big eye tuna. Decent-size bluefin tuna and dolphin were also weight, she added.

Tournament fishing is permitted Friday through Sunday, July 10-12. Anglers fish two of the three days. Catches will be weighed at the Ocean City Fishing Center between 4-7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 10-11 and until 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 12.

To speed up the weigh-in process, stringer fish (a boat's heaviest five fish per day) can be weighed at Sunset Marina on Friday and Saturday. All other fish, including trophy fish, must be brought to the Fishing Center.

Prize money will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-heaviest single tuna, and the largest total catch. Each boat can weigh up to five fish per day to compete for a two-day total pound catch.

The top team in the Largest Fish division will receive an invitation to compete in the IGFA Offshore Championship.

A $1,500 award will be presented to the female angler who catches the largest tuna.

A Junior Angler division is available for those 16 years old and younger. The winner will receive $1,000 and be invited to participate in the IGFA Junior Angler Championships in Florida. The junior angler who reels in the second largest tuna will win $500. The youth who hooks the third heaviest will get $250. There will also be prize money for the first-, second- and third-largest dolphin. The tournament minimum is 20 pounds.

"We're very optimistic about the tournament. I'm hoping it will be bigger this year, but I'll be happy if we can get close to last year. I feel pretty confident we can do that by the e-mail and telephone inquiries we've received," Blunt said. "We're also expecting a good crowd to watch the weigh-ins again this year."

For more information about the Tuna Tournament, call 410-213-1121 or visit www.oceancitytunatournament.com. WHAT: 22nd annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament WHEN: Final registration is Thursday, July 9, 3-7 p.m., Ocean City Fishing Center. Anglers fish two of three days. WEIGH-INS: Ocean City Fishing Center, Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, 4-7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 12, 4-7 p.m. COST: Early registration $800 until 5 p.m. July 3. After July 3, $900 per boat (limit of six anglers per team) FOR INFORMATION: Call 410-213-1121 or visit www.oceancitytunatournament. com

UPCOMING FISHING TOURNAMENTS:

n JULY 10-12: 22nd Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament, Ocean City Fishing Center (410) 213-1121 n JULY 17-19: 5th Annual Marlin Club Kids Classic, Ocean City Marlin Club (410) 213- 1613 n JULY 25-27: Branch Kreppel Memorial Blue Marlin Tournament, Sunset Marina (410) 213-9600 n JULY 30- AUG. 1: Marlin Club Ladies' Tourna-ment, Ocean City Marlin Club (410) 213-1613 n AUG. 1: 2nd Annual Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce Flounder Tournament, Ocean Pines Yacht Club (410) 641-5306 n AUG. 3-7: 36th Annual White Marlin Open, Harbour Island Marina (410) 289- 9229 n AUG. 13-15: 16th Annual Captain Steve Harman's Poor Girls Open, Bahia Marina (410) 289-7473 n AUG. 16-21: 17th Annual Mid-Atlantic $500,000, Sunset Marina (410) 213-9600 n SEPT. 3-6: 51st Annual Labor Day White Marlin Tournament, Ocean City Marlin Club (410) 213-1613 n SEPT. 11-13: 2nd Annual Wahoo Rodeo & Flounder Round-Up, Sunset Marina (410) 213-9600 n SEPT. 12-13: MSSA Beach-N-Boat Tournament, Sunset Marina (410) 255- 5535 n SEPT. 13: 4th Annual Flounder Pounder, Bahia Marina (410) 289-7473 n SEPT. 17-19: 31st Annual Challenge Cup, Ocean City Marlin Club (410) 213- 1613 n OCT. 1-3: 30th Annual Mid-Atlantic Surf Fishing Tournament, Ocean City (410) 213- 0646 n OCT. 16-17: 5th Annual A.M.S.A. Surf Fishing Tournament, A.M.S.A (443) 235- 2609 n OCT. 17-18: 10th Annual Rocktoberfest Tournament, Bahia Marina (410) 289-7473 n NOV. 15: 5th Annual Ake Marine Primetime Rockfish Tournament, Ake Marine (410) 213-0421 n NOV. 27-28: 93rd Annual Black Friday 550 Rockfish Tournament, Ocean City Fishing Center (410) 213-1121