Saturday, October 18, 2025

13 Epic Photographs from the Fishing Match that Pays Million-Greenback Checks (and The place an NBA Legend Completed Second)


Large cash and large billfish had been the theme of the 52nd annual White Marlin Open, which wrapped on Sunday in Ocean Metropolis, Maryland. Greater than 280 boats fished the weeklong tourney, and two of the highest groups took dwelling seven-figure paychecks. Michael Jordan was amongst these competing, and his crew landed only one pound in need of a first-place end.

Native angler Dan Gough, who grew up in Ocean Metropolis and fished aboard the Billfisher, was the general big-money winner with a 72-pound white marlin. Gough had been fishing the occasion for greater than three a long time, and his crew received $3.9 million for the successful marlin.    

Gough’s fish was only a pound heavier than the 71-pound white marlin landed by Jordan’s staff. MJ’s 82-foot sport-fishing yacht, the Catch 23, has been a well-known sight on the White Marlin Open over time, they usually positioned third within the white marlin division again in 2023. Though Jordan was onboard, their prime catch was credited to angler Trey “Cricket” McMillan.

The weeklong match featured 282 boats and was primarily based out of Ocean Metropolis, Maryland. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open
An angler checks his reel on a big offshore boat.
An angler checks his gear earlier than heading offshore from Ocean Metropolis. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open
A white marlin is weighed at the tournament docks.
A white marlin will get weighed again on the docks. Solely two of the occasion’s signature fish had been caught throughout the match. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open
A local angler with the winning marlin at a tournament in Maryland.
Ocean Metropolis native Dan Gough stands subsequent to his successful fish, a 72-pound white marlin. Gough stated he’s been fishing the match for 36 years. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open
Tournament anglers hold up the tail of a huge blue marlin.
Drew Osmeyer holds up the tail of the enormous blue marlin he caught within the match. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open

“I’ll play him in playing cards, cornhole, and fishing,” Gough informed ABC-7 Information, referring to the GOAT himself. “I’m not doing golf or basketball in opposition to him.”

Michael Jordan aboard his sportfishing yacht.
Michael Jordan and his son (proper) put together to go out for the day. The NBA legend’s boat was flocked by followers wherever it went. Photograph by way of Fb
Michael Jordan and crew with their second-place white marlin.
Michael Jordan and the Catch 23 crew with the 71-pound white marlin they caught. The fish was only one pound shy of successful all of it. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open
Michael Jordan and his teammates take a picture at a fishing tournament.
An in depth-up of MJ and among the Catch 23 crew with their second-place white marlin. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open

These two boats — the Billfisher and the Catch 23 — had been the one ones to weigh in white marlin, which, because the occasion’s title implies, are essentially the most invaluable species. However different large fish had been within the cash as nicely, together with a large, 929.5-pound blue marlin. Angler Drew Osmeyer, fishing aboard the Barbara B, caught that large blue the primary day of the match. The practically half-ton fish introduced the second-highest payout of the occasion: $1.27 million.

A giant big blue marlin caught at the White Marlin Open.
This 929.5-pound blue marlin was the most important fish weighed on the match. It additionally introduced the second-biggest paycheck of the match: $1.27 million. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open
An onlooker watches a white marlin get weighed.
Dressed for the event, an onlooker watches as a white marlin will get weighed on the dock. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open
A dead dolphin fish on a cleaning table at a tournament.
Though white marlin and different billfish had been the celebs of the present, the match had separate divisions for different big-game species like dolphin (pictured), tuna, and wahoo. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open
Fans cheering in the crowd at a fishing tournament.
Followers younger and previous cheer on the opponents on the 52nd annual White Marlin Open. Photograph courtesy White Marlin Open

Different catches topping their divisions included a 188-pound tuna, a 49.5-pound wahoo, and a 32.5-pound dolphin.

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