Family, Fish, and Firsts: Inside the 52nd Annual White Marlin Open

The White Marlin Open was founded in 1974 by Jim Motsko in Ocean City, Maryland, with just 57 boats and a vision to create a world-class sportfishing tournament on the East Coast. What began as a grassroots event has grown into the largest and richest billfish tournament in the world, attracting hundreds of boats and anglers from across the globe each August. Over the decades, the WMO has become a cornerstone of Ocean City’s summer season, combining high-stakes fishing, record-breaking payouts, and deep-rooted family tradition.

As Ocean City gears up for the 52nd Annual White Marlin Open (WMO), we caught up with Sasha Motsko, Tournament Director, to get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes this year’s tournament so special. With exciting new additions, a new signature bourbon, and a legacy rooted deeply in family tradition, the 2025 WMO is shaping up to be one for the books.

When asked what excites her most about this year’s tournament, Sasha didn’t hesitate. “We have a few new and exciting additions to the 52nd Annual White Marlin Open,” she said. Among them: a brand-new Outboard Division added entry and an expanded Small Boat Division—making it more inclusive than ever for a wider range of participants.

All fish must be weighed on the official scale at Harbour Island (14th Street and the Bay). Weigh-ins are held there each day of the tournament from 4:00 to 9:15 PM and are open to the public free of charge. And for those who can’t make it to the docks? The tournament is stepping up its digital game. “For the first time ever,” Sasha shared, “we’ll be livestreaming the awards banquet on Saturday, August 9th from 4 to 6 p.m.” In addition to the ever-popular Marlin Cam, which streams weigh-ins throughout the week at www.whitemarlinopen.com, fans can now watch the winning anglers accept their big checks live from anywhere in the world.

Watching the White Marlin Open weigh-ins from Reel Inn Dock Bar feels about as local as it gets. Boats pull up right to the scales while everyone is trying to catch a glimpse of the day’s biggest marlin. The Orange Crush buckets are made right in front of you, just the way they should be, and the kitchen turns out some of the best dockside food around. It’s the kind of spot where you’ll run into neighbors, old fishing buddies, and visitors who’ve been coming for years. On Wednesday, August 6th, local favorite Lost Figures featuring Gavin Hades will be playing from 5–9 pm, making it the perfect night to hang out, grab a bite, and soak up the White Marlin Open tradition.

52nd Annual White Marlin Open: August 4-8, 2025

As if catching record-breaking marlin weren’t reason enough to celebrate, WMO is launching something new to sip on this year: White Marlin Bourbon. “We were approached by Bespoken Spirits from Lexington, Kentucky over the winter to collaborate on a bourbon,” Sasha explained. “We thought this would add a fun new element to the White Marlin Open brand, knowing that our participants love bourbon!”

Bespoken Spirits is no stranger to high-profile collaborations—the award-winning distillery has also created custom labels for music legends Lynyrd Skynyrd and Whiskey Myers. Attendees can sample White Marlin Bourbon cocktails during Marlin Fest at the Inlet, running all week long during the tournament.

Boats and anglers interested in participating can register in person at Harbour Island (14th St. bayside) on either Saturday, August 2nd, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Sunday, August 3rd, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. With hundreds of boats competing for millions in prize money, early registration is highly encouraged.

While the tournament continues to grow in prestige and reach, Sasha’s favorite moments remain rooted in family. “My favorite memory of the White Marlin Open was assembling the boat kits with my sister and mother from our dining room,” she recalled. “In those days, we used stencils and markers to put boat numbers on manila folders.” It’s a humble reminder that the world’s largest billfish tournament had very grassroots beginnings.

Billfish: White Marlin Open Magazine

More recently, the Motsko family made another unforgettable memory on the water. “We took a trip over this past winter to Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala with the whole family,” she said. “It had been a bucket list item for my father to have everyone together to experience the magic of Guatemala fishing. The fishing was fantastic—we were releasing an average of 50 sailfish a day!”

From its family-driven foundation to its cutting-edge updates, the 52nd Annual White Marlin Open continues to honor its legacy while embracing the future. Whether you’re an angler, a fan, or just someone who appreciates Ocean City’s summer traditions, this is one week you won’t want to miss.

For full details, livestream links, and registration info, visit www.whitemarlinopen.com.

Sat, Aug 2 — Update from WMO: “For the safety of our participants, we are adding 2 additional fishing days. Saturday & Sunday (8/9-8/10). Thank you!”