Different, unique, challenging, strange and uncertain are just a few of the words to describe 2020. However, with all that we’ve faced as a nation this year, one thing remains constant and brings us all together and that’s our love of big game fishing and the thrill of competition! Now in its 29th year, the 2020 MidAtlantic is set and its annual mark on the offshore tournament calendar is August 16-21. Boat for boat, the richest marlin and tuna tournament in the world, the MidAtlantic has a storied reputation for big payouts to multiple winners and this year’s event is already shaping up to be a dandy! “As always, we’re looking forward to another exciting year at the MidAtlantic and while we are expecting to see some differences to our signature dockside hospitality experience and nightly events due to the ongoing social distancing guidelines, rest assured our participants will continue to get their full value from the event just as they have in prior years,” notes Aaron Hoffman, Tournament Director for the MidAtlantic.

Big eye and yellowfin tuna have already showed in significant numbers in the canyons and the first blue marlin and white marlin have already been released. These early reports already have crews stoked for the coming season and while this year’s MidAtlantic will be a bit different due to social distancing requirements, the health and safety of crews and tournament staff at both venues is top priority. Worthy of note is tournament registration has gotten off to a quick start with teams registering in advance at comparable rates as previous years. “We expect this year will be as full as, if not greater than, last year’s event setting up another record breaking purse and turnout,” notes Hoffman, adding participants should register early as the tournament’s 95 boat cap per-port is in place once again this year. Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey serves as the MidAtlantic’s official Home Port of the event while Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland is the event’s only recognized satellite port. Participants may sail from either, but must declare their choice of port for the week when registering for the tournament.

The 2020 MidAtlantic gets underway at both tournament venues on Sunday, August 16 with Registration, Calcutta Entries and a Welcome Cocktail Party set for 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm followed by a Captain’s Meeting immediately after. The event’s schedule gives crews the option to select three days between Monday, August 17 and Friday, August 21 as fishing days. Boats may not pass their respective inlet’s sea buoy prior to 3:00 am each morning and, regardless of inlet sailing from, all boats must fish within 125 miles of the Cape May Sea Buoy. Fishing hours are set for 8:00 am – 3:30 pm each day. Any white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dolphin or wahoo to be weighed must be at the Canyon Club Resort Marina or Sunset Marina scale by 9:00 pm to be eligible.

The tournament’s entry fee is set at $3000 and covers dockside hospitality for six crew members for the entire week. Ten calcuttas, each with entry fees that range from an additional $1,000 to $6,000, provide the prize money for the tournament. Participants may enter any, all or none, though the higher level of participation, the greater payout potential. Last year’s event saw a tournament record cash purse of nearly $3.53 million handed out including $527,977 to Alan Sadler of North Palm Beach, Florida for a 72-pound white marlin aboard his Intents. For those who have the knack at catching big tuna, you surely ought to be in the MidAtlantic. Last year Berlin, Maryland’s Curtis Macomber’s aboard his Stalker decked big eyes of 226 and 207 pounds and took the top two places in the tuna category and went home with $802,275! The blue marlin payout was impressive as well with the Haulin’ n’ Ballin’ of Kristen Jezierski from Pasadena, Maryland netting $556,365 for a 630 pounder! What’s even more impressive is last year’s event saw 36 various winners with seven receiving payouts of over six figures and another 17 payouts of $15 thousand or more!

Don’t delay! Act now to reserve your spot to be part of what has always been known as the “Main Event” on the big game tournament calendar every summer. Remember, port caps are set at 95 boats per port and you won’t want to be left out! This year’s MidAtlantic will certainly be one you don’t want to miss. Bring the family for the entire week and spend some time on the water and enjoy some great Competition, Camaraderie, and an Opportunity for a chance to WIN BIG! It’s the 2020 MidAtlantic and it’s gonna be a blast!

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177. Be sure to visit the tournament’s official web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, photos and an event schedule. There’s also a link to purchase official tournament merchandise. You can also follow the tournament Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter; @midatl and on Instagram; @themidatlantictournament.