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U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament

Granddaddy of King Mackerel Tournaments

 Forty six years ago a small group of community leaders met and decided that they needed an event to showcase the great fall fishing Southport-Oak Island area has to offer.
The prizes and expenses for the first tournament were guaranteed by those community leaders signing a promissory note at a local financial institution – thus the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament was born. The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament now attracts over 400 boats of all sizes annually and is held in high esteem by the community and anglers.

October 3rd – 5th, 2024

Family Friendly Event: The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament is a family event. Please remember to be respectful towards other competitors and spectators. When on the radio or at the tournament headquarters, refrain from objectionable comments, clothing and displays especially those that include foul language.

August 6th – October 1st Online registration opens until Tuesday, October 1st at 11:59 p.m.   After online registration closes you must register at tournament headquarters (Dutchman Creek Park) on Thursday, October 3rd from 10 a.m. 9 p.m.

Friday, September 13th

Early bird Registration Deadline – Friday, September 13th.  Two $350 winners will be announced at the Captain’s Meeting which will be held at Dutchman Creek Park, 4750 Fish Factory Road, Southport and broadcast live at www.usopenkmtlive.com  (October 3, 2024) beginning at 7:00p.m. Those who entered the tournament before 11:59p.m. online, in person or postmarked by September 13th are eligible.

Sunday, September 29th

Online Merchandise Sales – Pre-order your U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament merchandise by going to www.sptokimerchandise.com by 11:59p.m. on September 29th.  Merchandise purchased online will be mailed. Tournament merchandise will be available to purchase in person at the tournament headquarters  (Dutchman Creek Park)
October 3rd – 5th as long as supplies last.   

Tuesday, October 1st

 Online registration closes at 11:59pm on Tuesday, October 1st.  After online registration closes you must register at tournament headquarters (Dutchman Creek Park) on Thursday, October 3rd from 10 a.m. 9 p.m.

 Thursday, October 3rd

10:00a.m. – 9:00p.m.  Registration & Packet Pickup -Dutchman Creek Park, 4750 Fish Factory Road, Southport, NC 28461 (33.55.450N 78.03.633W).

12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.- Food – Easy Eats (hot dogs with all the fixins).

4:00p.m. – 7:00p.m.  Entertainment – The Doorsmen (veteran rockers keeping it Funky! – Let’s Groove)

Thursday, October 3rd (Continued)

7:00p.m. Captains’ Meeting. It is strongly advised that all captains watch or attend this meeting, as any rule changes or clarifications will be announced. Watch online at www.usopenkmtlive.com or attend in person at Dutchman Creek Park, 4750 Fish Factory Road, Southport.  Pizza available beginning at 5:00 p.m. until gone.

 Friday, October 4th

7:00 a.m. – Competition Begins. Fish entered into the competition must be hooked and caught during tournament hours. This is a NO CHECKOUT event. No lines in the water before 7:00a.m. GPS time. This includes no hook/line of any kind but does not include cast netting bait. There will be two official check-ins for those wishing to weigh fish one hour prior to closing of scales.

11:00 a.m. – Scales Open at Dutchman Creek Park- 4750 Fish Factory Road, Oak Island(GPS: 33.55.450N 78.03.633W) – Thank you to American Marine Construction, Duke Energy, and Brunswick County Parks & Recreation for their support.

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Ink-Free fish prints for entrants at weigh-in by The Paper Fin www.thepaperfin.com

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. -Food available – Easy Eats (hot dogs with all the fixins).

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  The PointClickFish.com Team will stream weigh-ins from the scales and the docks LIVE from the U.S. Open King Mackerel Fishing Tournament website www.usopenkmtlive.com

 

4:00 p.m. – Check-In point manned –at Southport Yoga Dock -317 W. Bay Street, Southport (33.91.636 N 78.02.238W) and Malcolm Register Park -334 NE 52nd Street, Oak Island (33.55.319 N 78.06.546 W).

 

5:00 p.m. – Competition ends for the day.

Saturday, October 5th

7:00 a.m. – Competition Begins. Fish entered into the competition must be hooked and caught during tournament hours. This is a NO CHECKOUT event. No lines in the water before 7:00a.m. GPS time. This includes no hook/line of any kind but does not include cast netting bait. There will be two official check-ins for those wishing to weigh fish one hour prior to closing of scales.

11:00 a.m. – Scales Open at Dutchman Creek Park (GPS: 33.55.450 N 78.03.633 W). Thank you to American Marine Construction, Duke Energy, and Brunswick County Parks & Recreation for their support.

11:00 a.m. – 6:00p.m. -Food by Wallace Catering ( Burgers, BBQ, Sausage/Peppers/Onions, Fried or Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Calabash Style Fried Shrimp or Fish, and Shrimp & Grits).

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Ink-Free fish prints for entrants at weigh-in by The Paper Fin www.thepaperfin.com

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – The PointClickFish.com Team will stream weigh-ins from the scales and the docks LIVE from the U.S. Open King Mackerel Fishing Tournament website www.usopenkmtlive.com

 

3:00 p.m. – Check-In point manned –at Southport Yoga Dock -317 W. Bay Street, Southport (33.91.636 N 78.02.238 W) and Malcolm Register Park -334 NE 52nd Street, Oak Island (33.55.319 N 78.06.546 W). 

 

4:00 p.m. – Competition ends for the day.

5:00 p.m. – 8:00p.m. Entertainment – TBA@ Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill Deck, 4907 Fish Factory Road, Southport.  Parking at Dutchman Creek Park, 4750 Fish Factory Road, Southport or Shoreline Baptist Church, 4198 Vanessa Dr SE, Southport.

6:00p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – The captains from the 1st Place Overall & 1st Place Super High Roller TWT must present themselves at the tournament headquarters to take a polygraph by 6:00p.m.  The captain of an additional random team will be contacted by 6:00p.m. and they must present themselves at the tournament headquarters to take a polygraph by 6:30p.m.

8:00 p.m. AWARDS CEREMONY –Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill Deck, 4907 Fish Factory Road, Southport or watch virtually at www.usopenkmtlive.com. Parking at Dutchman Creek Park, 4750 Fish Factory Road, Southport or Shoreline Baptist Church, 4198 Vanessa Dr SE, Southport.

Final standings will be posted at www.usopenkmt.com on Monday, October 7th. Prize checks not picked up at the Awards Ceremony will be mailed.

 

 

 Fees & Registration Information:

https://www.usopenkmt.com/Register