While most think of mouth-watering blue crabs, the city of Baltimore, and the Chesapeake Bay, when they think of Maryland, the state is also home to some of the East Coast's premier fishing tournaments.
Maryland's top saltwater fishing tournaments offer anglers the unique combination of top-tier fishing, memorable parties and events, and the opportunity to make life-long memories.
So, whether you're an experienced pro or an eager beginner, you want to put Maryland on your summer fishing tournament schedule.
Held in Ocean City, Maryland, and known as the "World's Largest Billfishing Tournament."
The White Marlin Open is truly the pinnacle of tournament fishing. The tournament owes its nickname to none other than the 32nd President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who came up with the name Ocean City in 1939 after a terrific day of marlin fishing.
The event is massive, with the 2021 tournament drawing in 444 boats, 3.500+ anglers, and paying over 9.2 million in prize money. The 2022 tournament is projected to have a purse that exceeds 10 million. If you're looking to experience the pinnacle of bill fishing, don't look any further than the White Marlin Open.
While the White Marlin Open may set the standard for Billfishing, the Ocean City Tournament can't be beaten when it comes to Tuna Fishing.
With 35 years of history, the Ocean City Tuna Tournament has steadily risen, becoming the world's largest tuna tournament in 2021. With a purse exceeding $1,000,000, the showdown attracts boats of all sizes from ports across the East Coast. The contest generally has over 100 boats competing.
The three-day showdown is full of fun, drama, and excitement. Spectators are free to enjoy cold cocktails and delicious food at the on-site restaurant, Micky Fins Bar & Grill.
They can also shop for everything from boats to jewelry at the local vendors. Once the scales close after a long day of fishing, the tournament also provides dinner and entertainment.
The event is held at the Ocean City Fishing Center. As one of Ocean City's famous marinas, the Ocean City Fishing Center offers top-tier amenities, including a swimming pool, free parking, award-winning restaurants, and gift shops.
If you're interested in good time, lots of cash, and world-class fishing, the Ocean City Tuna Tournament may be for you.
Put on at the iconic M.R. Ducks Bar and Grille in Ocean City, Maryland. The 9th Huk Big Fish Classic is one of the fastest-growing fishing tournaments in the world. In 2021, the tournament broke a Maryland State Record after a team received the $542,648 payout. The tournament also had a record $1.2 million total purse and a record 110 boats. The tournament is one of the most fun events in fishing, with an incredible combination of high-end fishing, dinners, and parties. In addition to competition and fun, the tournament has raised over $75,000 for charities, including the Ocean City Fire Department, Diakonia, Atlantic General PRMC, and Coastal Hospice!
As one of the top saltwater fishing tournaments on the East Coast, the Marlin and Tuna Fishing tournament has an abundance of categories and jackpots. Anglers come up and down the East Coast to compete for the heaviest white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dolphin, or wahoo and the 2021 tournament's cash purse totaled a draw dropping $5,939,050. The event is exceptionally popular, attracting over 200 boats and 300 anglers in last year's competition. In addition to big game fishing, the Mid-Atlantic also excels in hospitality, with the tourney offering unique amenities and parties for anglers to enjoy while dockside.
When it comes to having fun while supporting an excellent cause, the ladies-only, bill-fish release Poor Girls Open is tough to top.
Captain Steve Harman started the well-known event with the vision of creating a way for local waitresses and bartenders to have an affordable competition while supporting a great cause. With over 100 boats competing and over $1.7 million donated to the American Cancer Society, the Poor Girls Open has exceeded all expectations.
If you are interested in supporting a great cause but don't fish, don't worry. There will be Chinese auctions, 50/50 tickets, tournament merchandise for sale, and other fun events that will raise money for breast cancer research
Located on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Rock Hall is known around The Pearl of the Chesapeake. The three-day event is truly a staple of the Chesapeake Bay community.
The renowned fishing tournament promotes heritage, tourism, and fishing while raising funds for the RHVFC. The event is genuinely family friendly and contains both a youth and adult division.
If you're considering coming to the Chesapeake Bay this summer, make sure to put the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company on your list!
Having raised more than $4 million over the past 15 years to support the Cancer Survivorship program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LH AAMC) Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, Fish for a Cure is one of the most charitable fishing tournaments in the world.
If you’re interested in giving back, you’ll want to visit Annapolis for this absolute gem of a tournament this summer.
As you’re building your summer fishing schedule, make sure to add Maryland for some epic fishing tournaments.
The state indeed does a wealth of high-quality fishing tournaments for seasoned veterans and eager beginners. Also, while you're in Maryland, make sure to visit the Chesapeake Bay and grab some famous blue crap.
If you're tired of your old, boring fishing shirts and are looking for amazing custom fishing apparel, make sure to check out The Custom Captain. All you have to do is send us a picture of your boat, and we'll get you your own custom boat merch.