‘Money Money’: Deadhead Anglers Land Fish Worth Over $1 Million

Grateful Dead fans are everywhere, including at one of the nation’s most prestigious fishing competitions. The Grateful Dead-themed yacht Deadicated took home the top prize of $1,139,248 on Friday, August 23 in the blue marlin category at the 2024 MidAtlantic Tournament after reeling in a 795-pound fish.

Based in Mantoloking, New Jersey, the 72-foot Viking yacht Deadicated is owned by Matt Asplundh. Bryan Boyle captained the ship as it scored its award-winning haul, which was brought aboard by Chris Carr after an hour-long fight off the Jersey Shore. Members of the Deadicated team wore gear with the Grateful Dead logo underneath the name of the vessel as they accepted the prize.

The massive blue marlin landed by Deadicated was 35 pounds bigger than the fish pulled in by second-place winners Dem Boys. While the Deadicated received over $1.1 million, Dem Boys took home $497,714, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Dem Boys out of Isle of Palms, South Carolina, thought they had won the grand prize when the 760-pounder they caught was weighed at Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland. However, just a short while later, Deadicated’s fish tipped the scales at the Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey at 795 pounds.