OCEAN CITY -- A second-place white marlin was worth $300,000 in the 21st annual White Marlin Open that ended last night.

Paul Scopinich took second place with a 68-pound white marlin, but was the top dollar winner in the tournament, in which anglers gained extra money by entering a variety of skill levels.

"This is just estimated prize money," said tournament organizer Chuck Motsko last night.

The other top winner in the tournament was Kevin Wayson, whose 110 1/2 -pound wahoo set a state record and won him a Volvo 850 valued at $35,000. Second place in that category went to Larry Abbott with a 42 1/2 -pound wahoo.

First place in the white marlin category went to Claude Dilks with a 77 1/2 -pound catch. That fish won him an estimated $35,000. Third place went to Mike Varea, who caught a 65-pounder.

In the blue marlin category, Grant Connelle caught a 707 1/2 -pound blue marlin worth an estimated $65,000. Second place -- but top dollar because of the skill level payout -- went to Chris Konzler, who caught a 521-pound blue marlin and won an estimated $110,000.

In that category, one pound was worth $68,000 -- Billy Ritter's 520-pound blue marlin was worth $42,000 and third place.

In the tuna category, Jim Boyes took first place with a 257 1/2 -pound catch. The only woman to place in the tournament was Maureen Klause, who took second place with a 243-pound tuna. Third was Donald Zindorf with a 208-pound tuna.

In the shark category, Gary King took first place with a 650-pound shark. Second place went to Mark Titus with a 291 1/2 -pound shark. Third place was Keith Ralph with a 234-pound shark.

The tournament, which began Monday, had 233 boats fishing in it.