Michael Jordan loves nothing more than a good day at sea. When fishing season rolls around, MJ takes to the water in his eight million dollar boat to test his skills and compete against the best. For the past many years, MJ and his boat Catch 23′ have entered Ocean City’s White Marlin Open. With the competition scheduled for August 5th to the 9th, Jordan has returned to town.

In recent years, locals in Salisbury have learned to anticipate the arrival of Jordan’s private plane at the airport. The plane carrying this year’s tournament participants touched down on Sunday. The boat used by Jordan, CATCH 23′, is equipped with MTU engines and boasts a maximum speed of 40 knots as well as a range exceeding 500 nm. Eight guests and two crew members can be accommodated on the yacht. Built for deep-sea fishing, the cockpit measures 216 square feet. A transom door, a huge freezer, plenty of storage space, and fish wells are all there. Like his private jet, the boat bears the distinctive elephant leather print that has become Jordan’s trademark. This pair of Jordan 3s features an elephant skin print.

In Ocean City, Maryland, there is an annual deep-sea fishing event called the White Marlin Open. It has been going strong for 51 years. For many years, the Open has been hailed as the “World’s Largest Billfishing Tournament.” The prize money for capturing the gamefish that make its annual migration up the Gulf Stream has surpassed $105 million. Held in 1974, the inaugural competition offered $20,000 in prize money to 57 vessels and 150 anglers.

A 640.5-pound blue marlin taken by John Ols of Laytonsville, Montgomery County, last year earned him a world record of $6.2 million. The $50,000 white marlin ‘Winner Take All’ entry category and Marlin Fest, a free family-friendly event on the Inlet beach, will both be back for another year, continuing the momentum from last year’s historic 50th anniversary celebration.

This year’s competition will run from August 5th to the 9th. Further details are available at this location.