With two weeks to go before “Tournament Week” gets underway, preparations for the 2025 MidAtlantic are moving along quickly. The billfish bite has turned red hot over the past couple weeks from Cape May to Ocean City and crews have been prowling the canyons when weather allows. Many have had some impressive days releasing numerous white marlin with double-digit days already being logged along with a few blue marlin also being released. The hot fishing has caused a rapid spike in registrations for the 34th edition of sportfishing’s “Main Event” as entries are pouring in according to Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman. “We’ve had a significant increase in entries over the past week and I’m sure the great fishing has something to do with that,” Hoffman noted adding crews shouldn’t wait to sign up as space at both ports is limited. “We already have 115 boats signed up for Ocean City and with port caps of 125 boats in place each in Cape May and Ocean City we encourage those planning on fishing with us this year to at the very least sign up for the basic entry level.” Hoffman went on to note once to port cap is reached a waiting list will be started for each port. He also noted calcutta payments can also be made when entering or paid during check-in prior to the Captain’s Meeting on Sunday, August 17. “The quickest, safest and most secure way to enter the tournament is by going to www.themidatlantic.com and clicking on the “Register Online Now!” tab in the upper right hand corner of the web page,” said Hoffman, adding there’s a breakdown of all calcutta fees and payout percentages there as well.
With the event just around the corner the tournament venues, Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland, are completing the final details as they prepare to welcome the best boats and crews from New England to Florida for this year’s MidAtlantic tournament. At Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, the big top tent, which is home to all the festivities there, is set to go up in a few days. The tent is home for the week’s dockside hospitality each night of the tournament as well as the “Sponsors Midway” where tournament participants can see the latest from the event’s sponsors. Among the tournament’s Exhibiting Sponsors is Johnson & Towers/MTU and Bob Shomo, Jr., Senior Vice President, Marine Division will be on hand to discuss a new addition to MTU’s marine power lineup “The new 12V2000 M96Z engine is rated at 2,222 MHP, a 220 MHP increase over the current 12V2000 M96X. MTU increased the displacement, added new turbos and a new fuel system, reinforced block, pistons and internals. The new M96Z retains the excellent power to weight ratio of the current 12V and will offer industry leading acceleration, maneuverability, improved top end speed and is also backed by the industry’s longest warranty, a standard two years and 10 purchasable extension years, for a total of 12 years or 6000 hours of operation,” Shomo noted during a recent conversation. Yamaha Outboards will once again be on hand as will representatives from Alexseal, Christi Insurance, Humphree, Krazy Salts, Phiber Systems, Premier Yacht Management, RAP Performance, Smart Gyro, Sord Fishing and Vetus Maxwell. South Jersey Yacht Sales will have numerous new boats on display on land and in the water including the 53 Albemarle Spencer Edition, 45 Albemarle Carolinian Fish Around, 36 Albemarle Express, Viking 46 Billfish, Viking 48 Convertible with Scania diesels, Viking 64 Convertible and a 42 Yellowfin. Sales personnel will also be at their booth to discuss brokerage and trade-in vessels. Atlantic Horizon Capital and Chart House Marine Electronics and Outfitting, both subsidiaries of South Jersey Yacht Sales, will also have booths to discuss electronics, outfitting and financing a vessel. Viking Yachts will have two factory demos, a 68 Convertible and 82 Convertible, in the tournament and on display during the event.
Please note the MidAtlantic tournament is a private event. Nightly weigh-in sessions at Canyon Club Resort Marina and Sunset Marina as well as other tournament venues and sponsor displays are not open to the public and require credentials and/or prior arrangement for tour or entry.
For more information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about the 2025 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.