An evolving White Marlin Open returns to Ocean City

CLARIFICATION: The judge residing over the case of White Marlin Open et al. vs Heasley, RDB-16-3105 ruled against Phil Heasley and his shipmates on the Kallianassa, however did not disqualify Heasley from the White Marlin Open tournament. The WMO filed a suit against Heasley after he failed a polygraph.

Jim Motsko hasn’t had much free time during the last few weeks.

The founder and organizer of the White Marlin Open has been preparing for the tournament’s 44th competition, answering phone calls, contacting fishermen and doing his best to ensure a safe and successful event. The open takes place Aug. 7-11.

“We’d like to have more boats than last year; every year we’re hoping for a little bit more. It shows we’re going forward and not going backward, and that’s important,,” Motsko said.

But 2017 isn’t expected to be like the past White Marlin Open tournaments that overtake Ocean City one week of the year.

The tournament has been a hot topic along the East Coast during the past 11 months. Immediately following the 2016 competition, preliminary winner Phil Heasley and his shipmates on the Kallianassa were accused of possibly violating tournament rules, resulting in the withholding of $2.8 million in prize money.

The White Marlin Open filed a lawsuit in which Heasley was required to respond. However, on June 14, Judge Richard D. Bennett ruled the evidence presented by tournament officials and witnesses proved Heasley and his crew violated the contract they had signed prior to the competition.

READ MORE: 5 things you need to know about the White Marlin Open

MORE WHITE MARLIN:The big White Marlin Open winner: a $2.7 million tuna

BACKGROUND: Judge rules against White Marlin Open

Just days prior to this year's tournament, Heasley announced his intent to appeal the decision in an Aug. 2 statement.

“The Kallianassa crew and I caught the tournament’s only qualifying white marlin fairly, legally and without violating any tournament rules,” Heasley said.

But Motsko is eager to put the trial in the past and move forward with a new group of anglers from across the Eastern seaboard fighting for glory.

Inaugurated in 1974, the White Marlin Open has been dubbed the “World’s Largest Billfish Tournament,” with more than 325 boats expected to compete in this year’s competition.

Held at the Harbour Island Marina, the tournament has hosted men and women of all ages and many nationalities, with anglers from South Africa, Australia and possibly Guatemala in 2017.

The tournament is divided into separate fish categories including blue and white marlins, sharks, tunas and wahoos. Large and small boats are also split into two groups, with an estimated $4 million being distributed among fishermen for this year’s White Marlin Open.

This year's tournament will include changes, giving anglers other opportunities to take home prize money.

While a small boat category has always been in place, the White Marlin Open expanded the group by making any boat of less than 40 feet eligible to participate. The organization is also adding a “heaviest fish” category, in which the tournament’s biggest fish, regardless of type, will be awarded money.

“I think it will help more people get into it because they won’t be competing against people they think are professionals,” Motsko said.

While the anglers themselves are determined to bring in the biggest catch, the tournament has turned into a marquee event around which those who love fishing will plan their vacations.

READ MORE: Disqualified 2016 White Marlin Open winner appeals in federal court

Although the preparation can be stressful at times to Motsko and his team, he’s always happy to see the large group of spectators make their way to the marina to cheer on anglers and take part in the annual competition.

“It’s a party, and I think everyone really enjoys coming out and seeing what it’s all about,” Motsko said.

Overcoming the trial

One of the biggest questions entering the 2017 tournament is how the White Marlin Open would prevent a repeat of last year.

Tournament rules specifically require anglers to take and pass a polygraph test before claiming any prize money. Failed tests from the Kallianassa set off a chain of events that resulting in the judge's ruling against Heasley and his crew, based on the failure to meet the rules agreed to upon entering the open.

“This has become about more than a winning white marlin. We’re honorable people, and we will continue to fight for our reputation and the truth,” Heasley said in his appeal statement.

After the ruling, the $2.8 million was then divided among 13 other participating anglers, with New Jersey native Richard Kostyu claiming the bulk of the money for his first-place tuna caught aboard the Hubris.

Even with the judge ruling the White Marlin Open followed tournament procedures, Motsko is determined to ensure a fair competition in 2017.

“We’ve tightened our rules a little bit more, but other than that there’s nothing you can do. After the year, I don’t think you’re going to see anybody trying to take shots. We’ve got to do what’s correct and, if we don’t, we’re not in business,” Motsko said. “We’re willing to do what it takes to get it right.”

The case itself garnered national and international attention, with news of the trial making its way to London, according to Motsko.

Days prior to the appeal being filed, the president of the White Marlin Open said he was “relieved these 11 months of hell are over.” He said the spotlight and way the tournament stuck by its rules could have a positive impact on the tournament for years to come.

“We got a lot of publicity, whether you want to look at it as good or bad,” Motsko said.

With its stricter rules and national attention, anglers participating in this year’s competition are already confident the tournament will run fairly and smoothly.

“If anything, all it did was make everybody conscious to make sure they read every bit of those rules and pay attention to every single detail and they make sure everyone’s in line,” said Shannon Ehinger, a member of the Women’s Offshore Alliance.

Making history

For the first time in the history of the White Marlin Open, an all-women’s team will make the trip to Ocean City to compete in the annual tournament.

While women have competed in and won the competition in years past, the All-Women Offshore Fishing team will be the first boat that houses an entire crew of females.

The group is made up of Ehinger, Nikki George, Jaime Buffington and Lisa Foxwell, who came together to prove to the fishing community that women can do anything men can on a boat.

“We’re trying to break down barriers as far as women in the industry. We are absolutely tough enough to do this, and if you give us that rod, we’re going to reel in that fish,” Ehinger said. “We have the endurance, and we’re looking to educate and empower other women who love to fish.”

The All-Women Offshore Fishing team represents the evolution of the White Marlin Open in the eyes of Motsko.

As the president and founder, Motsko can remember the tournament’s first year, when 57 boats signed up and participated. With the event continuing to grow year after year, Motsko realizes the importance of evolution and was thrilled when he first heard the news of an all-female team joining the group.

“The fish doesn’t know (who’s catching it), and that’s a great equalizer. I’m glad for it, I think it’s great,” Motsko said. “If you don’t evolve you die. We keep tweaking it and making changes to stay on top of it.”

The Women's Offshore Alliance’s goal is to participate in as many fishing tournaments as possible, and establish a strong presence along the East Coast. Ehinger is confident the team has what it takes to walk away with one of the top prizes, but if they do, they won’t buy a new car or house — instead all the earnings are expected to go toward helping the cause.

“We’re not out personally to gain anything; we want to keep everything moving forward. We’ll probably put (the money) back into the women’s alliance and continue to grow everything,” Ehinger said.

Hoping for the best

As the tournament approaches, Motsko is praying for three things: a fair competition, a safe atmosphere both on land and out at sea, and good weather throughout the week.

To the White Marlin Open organizer, it’s never been about the amount of money distributed at the end of tournament or how long the biggest fish was.

For Motsko, it’s about witnessing firsthand the wonders of fishing.

“People want to be here, it’s a crazy time, and people from out of town come here and have a great time,” Motsko said. “It’s really a great thing.”

Rules changes

After months in federal court, the White Marlin Opened made minor changes in regards to legal fees, while also rewriting certain wording that displays no uncertainty regarding tournament rules.

If a protest is filed by a participating angler, a judge will rule on the complaint with the decision holding final. A $750 fee will be charged, however if the judge rules in favor of the angler that files the protest, the fee will be returned.