A Vero Beach angler and local sportfishing vessel are making million-dollar waves on the national tournament scene. During Day 4 of the highly competitive 2026 White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland, a local team secured the top spot on the Blue Marlin leaderboard with a massive, headline-grabbing catch.
Kelly Weber of Vero Beach, Florida, fishing aboard the Vero Beach-based vessel MaxBet, successfully reeled in a staggering 607.5-pound blue marlin. As the tournament progresses out of Harbour Island Marina, Weber’s impressive catch holds a tentative, life-changing payout value.
Angler Kelly Weber of Vero Beach, Fla., aboard the MaxBet out of Vero Beach, caught a 607.5-lb. blue marlin currently worth $1,260,248.00.
The White Marlin Open is widely recognized as one of the largest and richest billfish tournaments in the world, drawing elite fishing teams from across the eastern seaboard. While the MaxBet crew dominates the Blue Marlin division, the overall tournament leaderboard saw significant multi-million-dollar shifts on Day 4.
Other notable catches from the prestigious event include:
- Top White Marlin: An 80-pound catch by Bill Sharpe of South Carolina, currently valued at $3,598,443.40.
- Runner-Up White Marlin: A 70-pound catch by James Hood of South Carolina, with an estimated prize of $2,038,872.60.
- Top Tuna: A 179-pound tuna caught by John Wardlaw of New Jersey, valued at $1,038,098.00.
For Vero Beach and Treasure Coast residents who closely follow the sportfishing circuit, the MaxBet team’s success highlights the exceptional boating and angling talent residing in our local coastal community. As the tournament nears its conclusion, the hometown crowd will undoubtedly keep their eyes on the leaderboard to see if this Vero Beach crew officially brings home the historic seven-figure prize.
