‘Nice catch, guys!’ Raleigh boat takes lead for $4.1 million prize in fishing tournament

A boat from Raleigh has taken the lead in the prestigious White Marlin Open, landing a 77-pound fish with a potential $4.1 million prize.

Waste Knot, captained by Michael Tickle, brought in the Maryland tournament’s first white marlin Tuesday, placing it on top of the leaderboard. The angler who caught the fish was listed as Ven Poole.

The 51st annual open in Ocean City qualifies as the largest billfish tournament with the richest prizes. More than 300 boats are competing for more than $8 million.

Waste Knot also caught a blue marlin on the first day, though the fish was not landed. The tournament lasts through Friday.

“Nice catch, guys!” wrote NanNa Ann on the open’s Facebook page. “What a beautiful fish. Now, go get another one!”

Closer to home, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, held each year in Morehead City, drew a record-setting 302 boats in June, competing for a record-setting $7.5 million prize.