Math teacher wins $1.5 million with marlin catch
A high school math teacher became the first repeat winner of the world’s largest billfish tournament with a 79 1/2-pound white marlin that was worth $1.5 million from a world-record purse of $6,186,870 in the 46th White Marlin Open.
Tommy Hinkle landed the winning catch aboard Fish Whistle on the fourth day of the five-day event that featured 404 boats, including former NBA great Michael Jordan’s Catch 23.
Hinkle, a resident of Ocean City, Maryland, the site of the tournament, won the event in 2008 with an 81-pound white marlin.
Fishermen can pick any three days to fish. Hinkle and his crew initially debated on using their final day on Thursday because of the potential of rough currents and weather. But the day turned out calm and, as Hinkle told the Salisbury Daily Times, it was “a perfect day for fishing.”
The white marlin jumped about 45 minutes into the nearly two-hour battle. Hinkle, who teaches at Stephen Decatur High School, estimated that the fish weighed at least 74 pounds, close to the tournament’s leading fish at the time.
Also on FTW Outdoors: Hiker wearing headphones knocked over by bear
“We had what we wanted to get, and we’ve been waiting a few days for that one,” Hinkle told Salisbury Daily Times. “It’s a big ocean out there. You wait for that one bite in this tournament, and when you get that bite, don’t screw it up.”
Hinkle and the crew raced to Harbour Island Marina wanting to prevent any weight loss. They arrived just after the scales opened at 4 p.m.
“I was flabbergasted [upon seeing weight],” Hinkle told Salisbury Daily Times. “It’s like a dream…
“Everything came together, and that’s what it’s all about.”
In all, 1,459 white marlin were caught with 1,429 being released. Hinkle’s official payout was $1,504,720, it was confirmed Sunday by tournament officials. Michael Wagner landed a 73.5-pound white marlin and netted $1,502,450 while Nate Walker caught a 74-pound white marlin but received only $135,000 because they were entered in fewer entry levels.
Most of the qualifying fish in the various categories were donated to the Maryland Food Bank, according to WTOP.
As for Michael Jordan, NBC Sports reported that he and his team never made it to the scales.
Photo of Tommy Hinkle second from right is courtesy of the White Marlin Open.