Deep Sea Fishing

King Mackerel Fishing Tournament

By Bob Thomas 19 March, 2023 5 mins read

This page will help you find a tournament that king mackerel fishermen can enter. Just a few mouse clicks and you can join tournaments like Fishing for Miracles or AJ's Big Mac Classic. More information about these tournaments can be found on the tournament's site. The tournament itself is hosted by 2021 WITN.

AJ's Big Mac Classic

The AJ's Big Mack Classic Fishing Tournament, September 17-19, Destin Florida. All King Mackerel will be represented in the tournament, which will include cash prizes for the three largest fish and aggregate awards for two fish. Each division will offer cash prizes to the largest fish. There are three divisions. The tournament will award cash prizes if all fish are weighed.

The event is expected to attract over 30,000 anglers this year. This year, prizes are more generous than ever. The tournament is better than ever with new divisions, and changes to its rules. The King Mackerel Award will give $100 to the captain of a boat that catches the largest king mackerel within a single day. This pot grows throughout the tournament, and at the end of the tournament, the angler with the largest king mackerel will receive 25 percent of the prize money. The rest will be donated to local charities.

Fishing for Miracles

After a quarter century of hosting the King Mackerel Tournament in Charleston, South Carolina, fishing enthusiasts are ready to do it again. Two charities will benefit from this year's event: Coastal Conservation Association of South Carolina (PICU) and MUSC Children's Hospital's PICU. Over 600,000 dollars have been donated to worthy beneficiaries by the organization. The tournament will also host other charitable events.

Hanckel Marine is Charleston's full-service boat dealer. Hanckel Marine will be once again the tournament's sponsor. The three-day King Mackerel tournament will take place from Thursday, August 16 to Saturday, August 18, at Ripley Light Yacht Club in Charleston. The tournament will feature both King Mackerel and inshore fishing tournaments.

Baxter's smoker-king was the highlight. It's no easy feat to fish for miracles at a King Mackerel fishing event. Many tournaments feature thousands of participants competing for cash and other prizes. It is worth the effort to participate in the competition and possibly win a highly coveted prize.

Bob's fishing buddies were returning to U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament for the defense of their title. His fishing buddies were hoping to repeat last years historic win. However, they were under tremendous pressure as they had never caught a competition fish. It is possible for a miracle to happen on day 4. Bob was not skeptical, but he was determined to win the championship for his team.

U.S. Open

The 43rd annual U.S. Open King Mackerel Fishing Tournament took place Oct. 1-2 in Southport, Maine. The fishing tournament attracted 561 boats and was attended by nine states. It also awarded more than $400k in cash and prizes. Captain Cameron Yow, of Bare Necessities, won the first place with a 45-pound King Mackerel. You can also win a team jacket and other prizes.

Southport, NC offers great fishing opportunities and has many marinas and piers. The U.S. Open King Mackerel Fishing Tournament is held each fall in Southport to highlight the outstanding fall fishing in the area. This tournament has been running annually for 25 year and draws anglers of every age. Register before October 1 to be sure you get a spot.

The event's prize money is guaranteed, so the best catch is worth its weight in gold. This tournament sees fishermen compete for first place and could win up to $359775. The king mackerel weight category pays out over $25,000 and the primary prize categories pay out over five hundred thousand dollars. In addition, a $10,000 prize is given to the angler with the biggest king mackerel, and all 55 places in the main prize category will receive a check. However, the Southport Marina was severely damaged by Hurricane Isaias. A temporary dock was built at Dutchman Creek Park.

Powell finished 11th in the SKA US Open with a Spanish mackerel weighing 32.2 pounds. Powell and his crew caught the fish in the early hours of the first day of fishing away from crowds. A second Spanish mackerel was also caught using a 20-pound test line and 400 yards of fishing line.

Swansboro Five O

Swansboro Rotary Club Five-O King Mackerel Fishes Tournament offers a great opportunity to win prizes and be acknowledged for your efforts. The tournament took place Saturday, October 23, 2021. It featured solid fishing and a full weekend. This tournament, sponsored by local merchants, raises funds for Project Christmas cheer and Take a Kid Fishing. Participating players can win one, five or fifty cash prizes.

Swansboro Rotary Club King Mackerel Blue Water Tournament has grown to be one of the club’s most important fundraising events. The tournament's initial prize pool was $10,000, with less than 100 participants. Lee Moore, who was the master ceremonies, had increased the prize pool to $100,000 in 1988. This tournament attracted more fishermen and was also the first to be included on the Southern Kingfish Association circuit.

The deadline to register boats for the tournament is Wednesday, Oct. 21st at 6:30 p.m. Registration will continue until midnight. You can buy TWTs online and at the door up until midnight on Oct. 20. The tournament registration is open from midnight on Thursday prior to the tournament. Fishing days are on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, and Friday the 23rd. Make sure you check the weigh in, where social tags are mandatory.

Brant McMullan joined Brayden, Schmitt, and their mother. They fished Shallotte Ledge for three hours. They ran to Shallotte Ledge's mouth to fish for fish. Brayden and Schmitt were finally greeted in large numbers. Schmitt opened his bag and revealed the 52-pound king who won first place.

Charleston Harbor Resort

The Carolina Kingfish Classic at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina's 3rd Annual is a weekend long fishing festival featuring live music, bidding, and southern hospitality. Motor boats only are permitted to take king mackerel. A beach party will be held with live music and an after-party featuring live auctions. Windwood Farm Home for Children will benefit the Carolina Kingfish Classic.

Participants may participate in the tournament by launching their boats at a port of their choice and fishing any of three days. Brien Bethards and his crew chose deep fishing on Friday. They left Charleston Harbor for deep fishing on Friday. On Saturday they arrived at the spot where they hooked up instantly with a massive king mackerel. In less than an hour they caught a few fish that weighed over 100 pounds.

Fishing For Miracles started in 1994. The event raised more that $1 million for children’s charities. Muckenfuss (a businessman) and Dennis Lee (offshore fisherman), were co-founders. In its peak year, the tournament attracted 288 boats. It has since declined, but in 2018, 118 boat teams participated. Participants can bring their children with them.

FAQ

What type of fishing permit do I require?

A fishing license must be purchased if you plan on fishing in state waters (i.e. rivers, lakes and bays). The state laws require that anglers obtain a valid fishing licence before they can fish. You must have a valid fishing license if you intend to fish in federal waters, such as the Great Lakes and oceans. A fishing license is not required. You must check with your local authorities if you plan on taking any fish home.

Is it possible to fish at night or during the day?

You can, but it is important to make sure that artificial light is used. Fisherman use artificial lights to lure fish. They are most effective after the sun sets, when fish are more active.

Is it safe to consume fish caught by others?

It doesn't matter where you buy fish. Always ask the seller if their fish has a freshness expiration date. If there is no expiration date on the fish, it is probably safe to eat. If the fish smells or looks bad, you should not eat it.

How long does it take for a fish to be caught?

It depends on the size of the fish and the skill level of the fisherman. It takes anywhere from one minute to an hour to land a fish. The better your chances of landing a big fish are, the longer you wait.

Which rod should you choose?

Graphite-fiberglass composite is the best choice for fly fishing. This material has exceptional casting qualities and is strong. You will be able cast better if you practice with graphite.

What is the correct length fishing rod?

The right fishing rod length depends on what kind of fish you want to catch. If you're going for smallmouth bass, a 6'6" rod would be ideal. A 7'5" rod would be better if your goal is largemouth bass.

How much are basic fishing tools?

Basic fishing equipment is around $100-$200 for rod/reel combination, bait, tackle box, and so on. For a larger boat, you will need to pay between $500 and $1,000.

Statistics

About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
For most freshwater species you are most likely to target when first starting out, a reel size of 20 to 30 should be more than enough! (strikeandcatch.com)
To substantiate this theory, Knight attempted a systematic inquiry by considering the timing of 200 'record' catches, more than 90 percent were made during a new moon (when no moon is visible). (myfwc.com)
It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)