Granddaddy of King Mackerel Tournaments:
Forty five 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 5th – 7th 2023
Monday, October 1st
Tuesday, October 3rd
Thursday, October 5th
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 – Dutch Girl Dogs (hot dogs with all the fixins).
4:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. Entertainment – The Back Porch Rockers (rock and roll from the 60’s to 90’s)
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.
Friday, October 6th
7:00 a.m – 9:00 a.m. – Check-Out Points open & competition begins. See rules for locations.
9:01 a.m. – (after 9:00a.m.)Check-out must be made at Dutchman Creek Park dock (33. 55.450 N 78.03.633 W) with a designated official.
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.
- A golf cart will take crew members to the pickup dock at the Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill (at Safe Harbor South Harbour Village Marina) (GPS: 33.55.304 N 78.03.730 W) You may stop in for a beverage before re-boarding your boat.
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. -Food available – Dutch Girl Dogs (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 7th
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Check-Out Points open & competition begins. See rules for locations.
9:01 a.m. – After 9 a.m. Check-out must be made at Dutchman Creek Park barge (33.55.450 N 78.03.633 W) with a designated official.
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.
- Golf Cart will take crew member to the pickup dock at the Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill (at Safe Harbor South Harbour Village Marina). (33.55.304 N 78.03.730 W) Stop in for a beverage before re-boarding your boat.
11:00 a.m. – 7:00p.m. -Food by Wallace Catering ( Burgers, BBQ, Sausage/Peppers/Onions, Fried or Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Calabash Style Fried Shrimp or Fish, and Shrimp & Grits.
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.
4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Entertainment – Trilogy Rock n Roll (Rock n Roll Journey through the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s).
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.
7:30 p.m. AWARDS CEREMONY –Dutchman Creek Park, 4750 Fish Factory Road, Southport or watch virtually at www.usopenkmtlive.com.
Final standings will be posted at www.usopenkmt.com on Monday, October 9th. Prize checks not picked up at the Awards Ceremony will be mailed.
Fees & Registration Information:
https://www.usopenkmt.com/Register