OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) — A ruling to determine the winner in a Maryland fishing tournament has cast the event president in a tough spot.
The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Virginia, reports two white marlins caught at the White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland, last weekend each weighed 83 pounds. But a ruling which awards the title to the fish that isn’t gaffed, or on a hook, meant the difference between $2.6 million for the winner and $130,000 for the runner-up.
Tournament founder and president Jim Matsko said when a lot of money is involved, people get upset.
Boat captain Jake Hiles of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who lost to a boat from Morehead City, North Carolina, called the rule “archaic.” Hiles also suggested using digital scales, but Matsko said a breeze could affect the scales.
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