Forty two 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 400 boats annually and is held in high esteem by the community and anglers.
We are devastated to report that the Southport Marina sustained significant damage during Hurricane Isaias. We have every confidence they will repair, rebuild and come back stronger than ever. The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament has found new locations to hold the 2020 tournament. Look to the schedule and rules for more information.
Register Here
2020 U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament Schedule
Tuesday, September 29th
Online Registration Encx
11:59pm – Online registration closes at www.usopenkmt.com
Pre-Order Merchandise
Pre-order the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament merchandise by going to www.usopenkmt.com by 11:59pm on September 29th. Merchandise will be mailed or you may pickup at Drive Thru Registration/Packet Pickup. No merchandise tent onsite.
Thursday, OCTOBER 1st
10am-9pm – DRIVE THRU Onsite Registration & Packet Pickup Open at Bill Smith Park, 4410 Fish Factory Road, Oak Island. No boat trailers allowed in the line.
7:00 p.m. Virtual Captains’ Meeting. It is strongly advised that all captains watch this meeting, as any rule changes or clarifications will be announced. www.usopenkmtlive.com
Friday, OCTOBER 2nd
**** Due to COVID-19 no spectators will be allowed at the Dutchman Creek Park to watch the weigh-ins and boats offloading. This includes family members of the participants. We invite you to watch the streaming Live video at www.usopenkmtlive.com.
7:00 a.m – 9:00 a.m. – Check-Out Points open & competition begins. See rules for locations After 9:00 a.m. check-out must be made at Dutchman Creek Park barge (33.926984,-78.061278) with a designated official.
11:00 a.m. – Scales Open at Dutchman Creek Park- 4750 Fish Factory Road, Oak Island(GPS: 33.926984,-78.061278) – (See map for offloading information). Thank you to American Marine Construction and Brunswick County Parks & Recreation for their support.
- Entry representative(s) in the weigh-in area must wear a face covering (covering nose and mouth) from the time they leave the boat until they re-board the boat at the fuel dock.
- Must maintain 6’ distance between you and the next crew in the line.
- Only one representative from each entry will be allowed under the weigh-in tent.
- Exceptions for transporting the fish from the boat to the entrance of the weigh-in tent will be made for those who need assistance carrying fish.
- Golf Cart will take crew member to the pickup dock at the Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill (at Safe Harbor South Harbour Village Marina) You may stop in for a beverage before reboarding your boat.
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 Frying Pan/American Fish Co (319 W. Bay Street, Southport GPS: 33.916381,-78.022540) and Malcom Register Park (334 NE 52nd Street, Oak Island – GPS: 33.921662,-78.109065).
5:00 p.m. – Competition ends for the day.
Saturday, October 3rd
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Check-Out Points open & competition begins. See rules for locations. After 9 a.m. Check-out must be made at Dutchman Creek Park barge (GPS: 33.926984,-78.061278) with a designated official.
11:00 a.m. – Scales Open at Dutchman Creek Park (GPS: 33.926984,-78.061278).
- Entry representative(s) in the weigh-in area must wear a face covering (covering nose and mouth) from the time they leave the boat until they re-board the boat at the fuel dock.
- Must maintain 6’ distance between you and the next crew in the line.
- Only one representative from each entry will be allowed under the weigh-in tent.
- Exceptions for transporting the fish from the boat to the entrance of the weigh-in tent will be made for those who need assistance carrying fish.
- Golf Cart will take crew member to the pickup dock at the Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill (at Safe Harbor South Harbour Village Marina). You may stop in for a beverage before reboarding your boat.
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.usopenkmt.com
3:00 p.m. – Check-In point manned –at Frying Pan/Old American Fish Co (319 W. Bay Street, Southport GPS: 33.916381,-78.022540) and Malcom Register Park (334 NE 52nd Street, Oak Island – GPS: 33.921662,-78.109065).
4:00 p.m. – Competition ends for the day.
7:30 p.m. Virtual AWARDS CEREMONY – www.usopenkmtlive.com The top three overall winning teams and the top super high roller team will be presented live. Final standings will be posted at www.usopenkmt.com . All other prize checks will be mailed. We will interview the overall winner and post to www.usopenkmtlive.com.