Ocean City Marlin Club
club · founded 1936
The sport-fishing club whose season logs made 'White Marlin Capital of the World' a documented claim rather than a slogan — 175 whites logged in 1936, its founding year. Preceded by Jack and Paul Townsend's Game Fish Association (1934); early charter captains associated with the club's era include Frank Parsons, credited as first to take a charter boat through the new inlet. Still active.
In the record (11)
1934
The Townsend brothers find the Jackspot — the offshore lump that made Ocean City a marlin town
Fishing out of the brand-new Inlet in 1934, Jack Townsend and his brother Paul discovered a mother lode of white marlin over a shoal about 20 miles offshore. Anglers still fish it today, and it still carries the name of the man who found it: the Jackspot. — 1934 FULL PASS, 2026-08-11 [confirmed]: The name is in print by mid-July 1934 and the Evening Star treats it as already established practice. Its column of 16 July 1934 reports a Washington party fishing 'on what is known as "Jack Spot," where all fishing boats now congregate' — two words, capitalised, glossed as though the reader might not know it but the fleet certainly did. The same paragraph names Paul Townsend's 38-foot boat, the Matthews, which supports the fact's attribution to the Townsend brothers; but the wording 'what is known as' means the Star is reporting a name already in use, not a discovery being announced, so the fact's account of WHO found it is not confirmed by this and neither is the date. — 1934 FULL PASS, 2026-08-11 [confirmed]: Provenance repaired. The fact carried a Chronicling America collection-query URL plus an LCCN, date, printed page and reel-level ALTO file number, with a note reading 'THE MERGE MUST RESOLVE A REAL PAGE URL BEFORE PUBLISHING.' It now has one: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83045462/1934-07-16/ed-1/?sp=13 — HTTP-verified 200. sp=13 confirmed equal to printed page 13.
Source · checked 2026-08-05
1936 · 1936-07-16
Six marlin were sighted off Ocean City in July 1936 and a senator's sons lost one at the gaff
'Six marlin swordfish were sighted swimming in the Atlantic Ocean off Ocean City a few days ago by Messrs. Paul Townsend and his brother, John G. Townsend 3rd, sons of U. S. Senator J. G. Townsend, who managed, after a fight of about 15 minutes to bring the swordfish nearly within the reach of the gaff, but the Marlin jumped, straightened out the hooks and made off for deeper water.' Marlin were already the reason northern sportsmen were coming: on 6 August the Messenger noted that 'many sportsmen from northern cities and other States are being attracted here by the marlin fishing.' In August Walter Redden, Jr. of Ocean City landed a large swordfish single-handed in his father's boat and won much praise from the anglers who saw it. Commercially the season was bigger still: on one Monday in May over 700 barrels of trout, hardhead and croaker were shipped out of Ocean City, and the Elliott Brothers Fish Company packed 660 boxes of fish on one Saturday.
The Ocean City Marlin Club is still four years off, but the customers are already here and already losing fish at the gaff.
Source · checked 2026-08-11
1951
Ocean City anglers hit a record 266 marlin for the season.
By late August the Maryland State Department of Information reported that Ocean City fishermen had "hit the Marlin jackpot" — a record catch totaling 266 marlin, the latest a 91-pounder hauled in the previous week, alongside a 36-pound dolphin and an even 8-pound flounder; catches of several dozen bluefish were called "nothing at all at Ocean City this year." The season's first white marlin taken by rod and reel had come in mid-June aboard Capt. Talbot Bunting's Cecil B, under Capt. Calvin Lilliston; big party boats were taking bottom fishermen out for $3. Eighteen years after the Inlet opened, the White Marlin Capital was setting its own records.
Ocean City Inlet & JettyEdward White
Source · checked 2026-08-05
1972 · 1972-07-24
Governor Mandel invited the governors of Delaware and New Jersey to a Governor's Invitational Marlin Tournament out of Ocean City, and the town paid for the reception, the first morning's breakfast and the box lunches
At the special session of 24 July 1972, item 18, public relations director Jim Gordon "brought to the attention of the Council the Governor's Invitational Marlin Tournament, coming up the following weekend. Governor Mandel has invited governors from several states, namely, Governor Peterson and the Governor of New Jersey. Had hoped for a party from the State of Virginia and also, possibly, North Carolina. This tournament is rotated between several coastal states." "A reception to be held at the Marlin Club, breakfast the first morning they fish, plus a box lunch, sponsored and paid for by the City." The bill lists carry the cost: Capt. William Bunting & Son, "Governors Tournament - Breakfast" (21 August, document 3441) and the Quarterdeck Restaurant, "Governors Tournament Cocktail Party" (6 November, document 3459).
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1972 · 1972-09-20
The State offered to sell the town Liberty Ships at a dollar apiece to sink off the coast, and the council preferred them as fishing grounds to jetties, which it thought would be an eyesore
At the organisational meeting of 20 September 1972 "Mayor Kelley presented to the Council, for their decision and consideration, an offer extended to the Town to sell them Liberty Ships to be sunk off the coast of Ocean City at a cost of $1.00/each plus the expense of transporting them to the sites and the expense of sinking same. There was considerable discussion as to their value to the City, where they should be placed, etc. Most Council felt these would be more beneficial for shoaling-up the coast for better fishing grounds as opposed to their use as jetties. The latter considered an eyesore. The Mayor had been requested to give the State a reply by Tuesday A.M.; however, it was the decision of all present this was too great a decision to be made in such a short time." Kelley was to ask for an extension and Councilman Cropper to sound out the Marlin Club. No later 1972 minute returns to the offer.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1986 · 1986-03-03
The council paid up to $5,000 to sink the vessel Emma M as an artificial reef on the African Queen site nineteen miles southeast of Ocean City, and by April the demolished Severn River bridge was to be barged down and dropped on the same reef
Councilman Hurley at the regular meeting of 3 March 1986: "It came up last week at the Work Session when the Council voted to cover the cost estimated to be between 2 and $5,000 for the final step in the sinking of a vessel southeast of Ocean City. Linda, you reported it as the M & M. It's the Emma M and I only mention it again tonight because each Spring we get beat on by the Marlin Club as not helping the fishing industry and we do help it consistently and this is just the latest step that the Council has taken to help the commercial fishing industry." Mayor Powell: "Where are they going to sink it, George?" Hurley: "Right in the same site of the African Queen bow. I think that's nineteen miles southeast of Ocean City." On 21 April Hurley reported a meeting in the mayor's office with the DNR, a new non-profit and commercial captains: "The Severn River Bridge is going to be torn down this summer and it's going to be brought in its entirety to this reef by barge ... they'll just simply lower the Severn River Bridge down in sections on a couple barges, pull them down here and pull the lever."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2001 · 2001-06-08
Pat Svehla of Catonsville boats the season's first white marlin on June 8 — three weeks earlier than 2000 — earning $5,000 from the town.
Fishing aboard the Box Lunch, captained by Gary Stamm, Svehla reeled in the first white marlin of the 2001 season at 12:20 p.m. on Friday, June 8, about 64 miles off Ocean City, using a 30-lb. line baited with ballyhoo — then released the fish. The catch came about three weeks earlier than 2000's first white (July 1). The town's traditional award: $5,000 from the Town of Ocean City plus $1,000 from the Ocean City Marlin Club, presented at a fall banquet.
The Commissioners of Ocean City
Source · checked 2026-08-06
2017 · 2017-04-14
The council cut the town's $5,000 prize for the season's first white marlin during the budget hearings, and put it back nine days later after the fishing industry rallied and the Marlin Club offered to match it
At the FY18 budget meeting of 5 April 2017, under Special Appropriations, the council "Discussed $5,000 special appropriation for catch of first White Marlin" and carried, 5 to 2 (Martin and DeLuca opposed), a "Motion to eliminate $5,000 special appropriation for first White Marlin caught each season." At the budget wrap-up of 14 April the item came back: "Mayor Meehan stated prior vote to eliminate $5,000 for first White Marlin caught brought concern and rallying by community and fishing industry. Mayor was contacted by John Griffin, former Maryland Secretary of State and a member of the Maryland Sport Fishing Association who, in conjunction with the Marlin Club, match the $5,000 contribution. Requested continuing support of this important tradition and make it more recognizable by promoting with private industries and the Marlin Club." The council then approved a "Motion to allocate $5,000 as donation prize money for first White Marlin caught and work with fishing industry to promote angler tradition; Motion amended to fund from Tourism Sponsorship line item." On 17 April Scott Lennox of Fishing OC and Dave Messick of Hooked on OC "thanked Mayor and Council for reinstating the $5,000 award," and Glen Mumbauer suggested certificates for every white marlin caught under the tagline "White Marlin Capital of the World." The prize was paid on 3 July 2017, when the mayor presented "a $5,000 cash award" to angler David Taylor "for catching first white marlin of the 2017 season on June 17 in the Poorman's Canyon aboard Reel Buster."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2021 · 2021-06-13
The town's $5,000 prize for the season's first white marlin went to the Tunafowl, which caught and released one in the Washington Canyon at 8:30 on the morning of 13 June
Items Presented by the Mayor and City Council, regular meeting of 6 July 2021: "Award Check Presentation for 2021 First White Marlin Catch and Release. Director of Tourism and Business Development Tom Perlozzo awarded the $5,000 cash prize to Captain Corbin Ensor of the Tunafowl, Angler Brad Young, Mate Dominic Maranto, Luke Schmidt and Nick Prince." The staff sheet behind the item: "The Town of Ocean City awards a $5,000 cash prize to the angler reeling in the first White Marlin of the season. On Sunday, June 13, at 8:30 a.m., Angler Brad Young along with Captain Corbin Ensor, Mate Dominic Maranto, Luke Schmitt, and Nick Prince, caught and released the first White Marlin of Ocean City's 2021 season while fishing aboard the Tunafowl in the Washington Canyon. A catch report was filed with the Ocean City Marlin Club and confirmed and validated" by the club. The same night the council received the Worcester County commissioner's report that the county's State of Emergency had been lifted on 1 July.
Source · checked 2026-09-11
2023 · 2023-06-02
The first white marlin of the 2023 season was caught and released at 1:30 p.m. on 2 June in the Baltimore Canyon by angler Joe Huk aboard the Restless Lady II, and the town's $5,000 prize was handed over on 18 September
Regular meeting of 18 September 2023, item 4.A, "Presentation of Award Check for 2023 First White Marlin Catch and Release": "Mayor Meehan awarded a $5,000 prize to Captain Chris Huk, Angler Joe Huk, first mate Tanner Virden and several Huk family members aboard the Restless Lady II." The Tourism Director's memorandum of 8 September: "The Town of Ocean City awards a $5,000 cash prize to the angler reeling in the first White Marlin of the season ... On Friday, June 2, 2023 at 1:30 p.m., Angler Joe Huk along with Vessel Captain Chris Huk and First Mate Tanner Virden caught and released the first White Marlin of Ocean City's 2023 season while fishing aboard the Restless Lady II in Baltimore Canyon. A catch report was filed with the Ocean City Marlin Club and confirmed and validated by Marlin Club's Scott Lenox. Charter member Chris Ragni aboard his Bills Layer also confirmed the catch." The 2018 fish had come on 13 June; the 2023 one was eleven days earlier.
Source · checked 2026-09-11
2024 · 2024-06-02
The town paid its $5,000 prize for the first white marlin of 2024 to the boat Fish On, whose angler released the fish at 1:33 PM on 2 June, 25 miles east of the Baltimore Canyon
The City Clerk's cover sheet for the 1 July 2024 regular meeting states the rule and the catch: "The Town of Ocean City awards a $5,000 cash prize to the angler reeling in the first White Marlin of the season. Captain Andrew Dotterweich and Angler Jake Emche will attend to accept the cash prize for the first White Marlin of the season. The Marlin was caught on June 2 at 1:33 PM aboard Fish On which was 25 miles east of the Baltimore Canyon. The catch report was filed with the Ocean City Marlin Club and confirmed and validated." Fiscal impact: "$5,000 budgeted in FY24 Tourism Department Budget." The clerk's minutes of 1 July record that "Mayor Meehan and Marketing Coordinator Fiona O'Brien awarded the $5,000 cash prize to Captain Andrew Dotterweich and Angler Jake Emche" under Items Presented by the Mayor and City Council. The award is a catch-and-release prize - the fish was not brought to the dock - and it is paid out of the tourism budget, not the recreation one.
Source · checked 2026-09-11