Friends of the North Friday: The MidAtlantic Tournament

Catch up on what to expect from this year’s tournament

The summer of 2026 is flying by and it’s hard to believe there are less than two weeks away from Tournament Week! Things get pretty hectic as we get closer to the tournament as last minute preparations are finalized at both tournament host venues for what is expected to be another exciting week! On the fishing front, the billfish bite continues to be red hot as many MidAtlantic tournament participants have been plying the offshore canyons honing their hook-setting skills on feisty white marlin. Numerous blue marlin have also been raised and released as well. We’ve noted boats returning from offshore to Cape May and Ocean City with multiple billfish release flags flying from the ‘riggers including some having double-digit days! Last year you may recall that 768 white marlin were caught during the tournament. As many of you know Dr. John Graves and Dr. Jan McDowell from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Dr. Walt Golet from the University of Maine have all been fixtures at the tournament for many years. Their research of white marlin and blue marlin through tissue sample gathering and analyzing catch and release data of both species of billfish has been an important part of The MidAtlantic and has  provided information to help understand billfish biology with data for national and international management of billfish stocks. All three agree the use of circle hooks and conservation of both species thanks to catch and release and high minimum weights during tournaments has played an important role in billfish stocks improving. “When you look at last year’s tournament while a lot of white marlin were caught, only two met the tournament’s minimum weight and length requirements which resulted in a release rate above 99%,” notes Graves. “The high number of smaller fish suggests a strong year class and that bodes well for the future,” he added. 

With the billfish bite off to a hot start, hopefully the tuna, dolphin and wahoo will respond as well when participants gather at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland for the 35th edition of The MidAtlantic. Late Registration, Calcutta Entries and a Welcome Cocktail Party is set for Sunday, August 16 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. A Captain’s Meeting will also be held at 3:30 p.m. at both venues. Participants will pick three days of five available the week of August 17-21 to head offshore in search of white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin with cash prizes from 11 separate calcuttas awarded for the three heaviest of each species as well as billfish points. Boats may not clear their respective inlet’s sea buoy prior to 3:00 a.m. and all boats must fish within 125 miles of the Cape May Sea Buoy whether sailing from Ocean City or Cape May. Additionally, all boats must sail and return to their respective inlet on the fishing day selected. Fishing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day and all fish to be weighed must be at the scale by 9:00 p.m. on the day caught. The MidAtlantic is a trolling only tournament and there’s no limit to the number of anglers, lines or teasers. Note that IGFA all-tackle rules apply except a fish may be hooked by a crewmember and immediately handed off to an angler who fights the fish until boated or released. No dart gaffs, green sticks or harpoons are allowed and the use of live bait for teasers or hook baits is also prohibited. Line class is limited to the manufacturer’s stated rating of not more than 130-pound test. Minimum weights are set at 65 pounds and 69 inches for white marlin and 400 pounds and 102 inches for blue marlin. Tuna eligible include big eye, yellowfin and true albacore and must weigh at least 50 pounds to qualify. Wahoo and dolphin each have a minimum weight of 20 pounds to win cash. Billfish released and those qualifying that are weighed will earn points as well.  

Time is getting short so if you’re looking to test your skills against the best in the business of big game fishing you should not hesitate! Come join the excitement in Cape May and Ocean City and be part of sportfishing’s “Main Event” on the tournament calendar each year. For those still looking to sign up ahead of the Captain’s Meeting the website www.themidatlantic.com has a registration tab in the middle of the Home Page that takes you to a secure site where all entry fees can be paid. 

For more information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s website at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about the 2026 MidAtlantic including a complete breakdown of calcuttas, rules, points, and a Tournament Week schedule. You can also follow  the tournament on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament, on Twitter @midatl and on Instagram @themidatlantictournament.