OCEAN CITY -- Entering the last day of the White Marlin Open, Crownsville angler Roger Viens holds first place with a 79.5-pound catch that could be worth $480,000 if no larger white is caught today.

In the blue marlin division, Buddy Doughtery of Alexandria, Va., maintained his hold on first with a 354-pound blue potentially worth $310,000.

Tournament director Chuck Motsko said catch-and-release action continued to be good for white marlin yesterday, but none of the few weighed in was large enough to budge any of the leaders.

David Care and Brandon Trevillian of Severna Park, fishing aboard Careless, are in second place with a 78.5-pound white marlin. Tony Battista on The Trashman holds third with a 73-pound white. Both fish were caught Tuesday.

Weigh-ins are held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Harbor Island. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Pub Date: 8/07/98