U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament: Your 2026 Guide

There’s a special kind of energy around Oak Island each fall when the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament comes to town! Boats head out before sunrise, families and fishing fans gather near the scales, and the Southport–Oak Island area comes alive with one of its most anticipated autumn traditions.

Known as the “Granddaddy of King Mackerel Tournaments,” this annual event features two days of competitive fishing, public weigh-ins, live music, local food, and a guaranteed prize structure led by a $25,000 grand prize.

The 2026 tournament will take place from October 1st through October 3rd, with headquarters at Dutchman Creek Park just off Oak Island. Whether you’re competing, traveling with an angler, or looking for a unique fall weekend by the coast, staying on Oak Island keeps you close to the action while giving you a beautiful place to slow down between events.

Keep reading for key dates, schedule, prize information, official tournament resources, and a few helpful tips for planning your stay. Or, start browsing places to stay nearby all the festivities:

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Tournament Details at a Glance

Here are the key details to know as you begin planning:

• Tournament Dates: October 1st–3rd, 2026
• Fishing Days: Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd
• Tournament Headquarters: Dutchman Creek Park
• Address: 4750 Fish Factory Road, Southport, NC 28461
• Registration and Packet Pickup: Thursday, October 1st from 10am–9pm
• Captains’ Meeting: Thursday, October 1st at 7pm
• Scales Open: 11am on Friday and Saturday
• Grand Prize: $25,000
• Awards Ceremony: Saturday, October 3rd at 8pm
• Official Livestream: www.usopenkmtlive.com

The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament is a family-friendly event with plenty to see and do, even if you aren’t competing. Visitors can watch the public weigh-ins, follow the leaderboard, grab a bite from the onsite food vendors, listen to live music, and attend the Saturday evening awards celebration.

Schedules and competition details are subject to change. Participating anglers should review the official tournament brochure and rules before heading out on the water.

→ View the Official 2026 Tournament Brochure

About the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament

The story of the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament begins in 1979, when a group of local leaders saw an opportunity to introduce more people to the area’s exceptional fall fishing.

Those original organizers personally backed the expenses and prizes for the first competition, helping transform a community idea into one of the region’s most anticipated annual traditions.

The event now attracts more than 400 boats in a typical year. A record-breaking 568 boats entered in 2024, bringing competitors from across North Carolina and beyond to the Southport–Oak Island area. It’s also recognized as the second-oldest competitive king mackerel tournament in North Carolina and the largest competition of its kind on the East Coast.

While the fishing is at the heart of the event, there is just as much anticipation on shore. Families, residents, and visiting fishing fans gather near the scales to watch the catches arrive, follow changes on the leaderboard, and see which boat will move into the top spot.

2026 Tournament Schedule

The festivities begin Thursday with registration, food, live music, and the official Captains’ Meeting. Anglers take to the water Friday and Saturday, with public weigh-ins both afternoons and an awards celebration Saturday evening.

Thursday, October 1st: Registration and Captains’ Meeting

Thursday is the time for fishing crews to check in, collect their tournament materials, and hear any final updates before the competition begins.

• 10am–9pm: Registration and packet pickup
• 12pm–7pm: Food available from Wallace Catering
• 4pm–7pm: Steamed shrimp and refreshments from Clem’s Seafood
• 4pm–7pm: Live music by Almost Blue
• 7pm: Captains’ Meeting

Participating captains are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting in person or watch online, as organizers may announce rule clarifications or last-minute changes.

The Captains’ Meeting will be held at Dutchman Creek Park and streamed live at www.usopenkmtlive.com.

Friday, October 2nd: First Day of Competition

The fishing action officially begins Friday morning!

• 7am: Competition begins
• 11am: Scales open at Dutchman Creek Park
• Afternoon: Food vendors available at tournament headquarters
• 2pm–5pm: Live coverage from the docks and scales
• 4pm: Official check-in points open
• 5pm: Competition ends for the day

For a few tips: No fishing lines may be in the water before 7am GPS time. Boats planning to weigh a fish during the final hour must pass through one of the designated check-in locations before proceeding to tournament headquarters. We highly recommend reviewing the official rules for complete check-in, offloading, and weigh-in instructions.

Saturday, October 3rd: Final Fishing Day and Awards

Saturday brings one more day on the water before the celebration moves to Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill & Deck.

• 7am: Competition begins
• 11am: Scales open at Dutchman Creek Park
• Afternoon: Food vendors available at tournament headquarters
• 2pm–4pm: Live coverage from the docks and scales
• 3pm: Official check-in points open
• 4pm: Competition ends
• 5pm–8pm: Live music by Hood’s Creek
• 8pm: Awards ceremony

The evening festivities will take place at Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill & Deck, located at 4907 Fish Factory Road in Southport. The awards ceremony is open to the public and will also be streamed through the official tournament website. Guests attending in person will receive one entry into the door-prize drawings and must be present to win.

Watching the Tournament Weigh-Ins

You don’t have to be part of a fishing crew to get caught up in the excitement!

The public weigh-ins are one of the best ways for families, friends, and fishing fans to experience the event. Spectators gather near the scales as crews arrive with their catches, results are added to the leaderboard, and everyone waits to see whether the next king mackerel will change the standings.

The scales open at 11am on Friday and Saturday. Live coverage runs from 2pm–5pm on Friday and 2pm–4pm on Saturday, making those afternoon hours an especially lively time to stop by.

Spectator parking is planned at Dutchman Creek Park, and food vendors will be onsite during much of the weekend.

Crews bring their catches to the designated offloading dock before proceeding to the weigh-in tent. The tournament accepts no more than two fish from each boat per competition day.

Participating anglers should follow the organizers’ official instructions, but spectators can find a place near the scales and follow the action as it unfolds.

Registration Details

Planning to compete? Anglers may register online or by mail before the event.

Online registration is open through 11:59pm on Tuesday, September 29th. After it closes, competitors must register in person on Thursday, October 1st between 10am and 9pm at Dutchman Creek Park.

The tournament offers an early-registration period, and anglers who meet the early-bird deadline are eligible for special prize drawings.

Entry fees, deadlines, and registration requirements can change, so be sure to confirm the latest information directly with the tournament organizers before submitting your application.

Registered anglers should also check their junk or spam folders if their confirmation email does not arrive.

→ Register Online For The Tournament

→ View The Full 2026 Tournament Brochure

Optional Tournament Within a Tournament Categories

Anglers looking for additional opportunities to win can enter one or more optional Tournament Within a Tournament categories.

Available categories include:

• King Tournament Within a Tournament
• High Roller Tournament Within a Tournament
• Lady Angler Tournament Within a Tournament
• Single Primary Engine Tournament Within a Tournament
• Super High Roller Tournament Within a Tournament

Each category has separate entry requirements and its own prize pool. Anglers must register for the applicable category to be eligible for those awards.

Current entry fees, category definitions, and payout details are available on the official registration page.

Prizes and Competition Categories

There are many ways to go home a winner during the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament! The primary payouts are established in advance rather than changing with the final number of entries. Cash awards extend through 55th place, with additional prizes available through special-weight competitions, sponsor awards, and optional categories.

Primary Prizes

The boat weighing the largest king mackerel will receive the $25,000 grand prize.

Additional top prizes include:

• $10,000: Second place
• $5,000: Third place
• $2,500: Fourth place
• $1,500: Fifth place
• Additional cash prizes through 55th place

Each boat can receive only one primary prize. However, the same fish or another qualifying catch may remain eligible for secondary awards.

The top three finishers will also receive custom copper fish trophies and additional prizes provided by tournament sponsors.

More Ways to Win

Catching the heaviest fish of the weekend isn’t the only way to earn a prize.

Additional opportunities include:

• Daily special-weight prizes
• Sponsor-funded weight prizes
• Optional Tournament Within a Tournament awards
• And more

With so many prize weights, categories, and eligibility rules, competitors should consult the official prize page for the complete details.

Junior and Senior Angler Awards

The tournament also celebrates younger anglers and longtime members of the fishing community.

Junior anglers are children age 14 and younger who are properly listed on the tournament registration form. Every qualifying junior receives a medal during the Saturday awards ceremony.

The largest qualifying king mackerel caught with a registered junior onboard earns a $1,000 Junior Angler Prize.

Registered senior anglers age 60 and older are eligible for a $1,000 Senior Angler Prize. The senior does not have to catch the fish but must be onboard when it is caught and correctly identified on the registration and weigh-in forms.

North Carolina State Record Prize

A truly exceptional catch could bring an additional reward.

The tournament will award $10,000 to the angler with the largest king at the end of competition if it breaks the existing North Carolina state record, subject to official verification and certification requirements.

→ View The Official Prize Information

Where to Stay for the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament

Oak Island is an ideal home base for the event! Dutchman Creek Park is located just off the island, keeping you close to registration, the weigh-ins, and the evening festivities while giving you a peaceful coastal place to return to.

Our professionally managed vacation homes offer fishing crews, couples, and families more room, privacy, and flexibility throughout their stay. Every home includes a full kitchen, comfortable living spaces, and outdoor areas where your group can gather and unwind.

Select properties also feature elevated amenities such as hot tubs and fireplaces, along with pet-friendly options for guests bringing their dogs.

For fishing crews, having a full vacation home makes it easier to prepare for early starts, share meals, and settle in after a long day on the water. Family members and friends can spend the day at the beach, explore Oak Island or nearby Southport, or head to the public weigh-ins to cheer on the anglers.

Bringing a Boat or Trailer?

Parking space and property rules vary from one vacation rental to another. Boats, trailers, and oversized vehicles are not automatically permitted at every home.

If you plan to bring a boat or trailer, please get in touch with our team before booking. We’ll be happy to help you review the available properties and confirm the parking arrangements for the home you are considering.

Ready to Plan Your Tournament Getaway?

The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament is a wonderful reason to spend a few fall days on Oak Island. Come for the fishing, then leave a little room in your plans for the beach, fresh local seafood, or a stroll along the waterfront in nearby Southport.

Browse our Oak Island vacation rentals to find the right home for your crew or family. Bringing a boat or trailer, traveling with a larger group, or not sure which property best fits your plans? Reach out to our local Salt & Sand Realty team. We know the island and would be happy to help you narrow down the options.

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