The complete 2026 fishing tournament calendar for serious anglers — organized by region and species. From the Mid-Atlantic’s White Marlin Open to Florida’s tarpon classics, the Gulf Coast’s redfish circuit, and bass fishing’s major championship events. Bookmark this page and check back as dates are updated throughout the season.
Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Tournaments
White Marlin Open — Ocean City, MD
August 3–8, 2026 | World’s largest billfish tournament. $10M+ projected payout. New 6-day format, fish any 3 days. Base entry $1,500–$1,800. Registration: whitemarlinopen.com
Fish N Paddle Saltwater Slam — Ocean City, MD
June 27–28, 2026 | The premier kayak/SUP saltwater tournament in the Mid-Atlantic. $7,000+ guaranteed cash payout, $8,700+ in total prizes. Species: flounder, striped bass, and other inshore targets. No minimum angler count. Location: Atlantic Tackle / The Shark on the Harbor.
Mid-Atlantic $500K — Virginia Beach, VA
July 2026 | One of the largest offshore tournaments between New York and the Carolinas. Yellowfin tuna, white marlin, and mahi divisions. Entry fees vary by division.
Cape May MRI Shark Tournament — Cape May, NJ
August 2026 | Top shark tournament on the Jersey Shore. Mako, thresher, and blue shark divisions.
Vineyard Open / Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass Tournament
October 2026 | Month-long surf fishing tournament on Martha’s Vineyard. One of the oldest surf fishing traditions in New England. Striped bass and bluefish. Free entry.
Florida Tournaments
Ding Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament — Southwest Florida
May 15, 2026 | Conservation-focused tarpon tournament and fundraiser for the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. 100% of sponsorship funds water-quality research and habitat restoration. Catch-and-release format.
Stuart Sailfish Club Ladies Tournament — Stuart, FL
November 2026 | One of the oldest ladies billfish tournaments in the world, based out of the Sailfish Capital. Sailfish catch-and-release.
Casting for Kids — Sarasota, FL
April 25, 2026 | Kids freshwater tournament with age divisions for 4–10 and 11–14 year olds. Largest bass and bluegill combined. BBQ dinner and awards ceremony. Fundraiser for families battling childhood cancer.
Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship
January–February 2026 | Opening leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship. Catch-and-release sailfish. Only event in the series with a junior division (under 16). Unlimited anglers per boat.
Southeast Florida Dolphin/Wahoo Tournament Series
Spring–Summer 2026 | Multiple events with $60,000+ purses. $20,000 for first place at flagship events. HQ at Skippers Dockside and other South Florida marinas.
Gulf Coast Tournaments
Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic — Venice, LA
April 28–May 2, 2026 | Premier Gulf of Mexico blue marlin tournament. One of the few major billfish events targeting blue marlin in the Gulf. Venice, LA — the self-proclaimed blue marlin capital of the world.
Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic — Destin, FL
June 2026 | The Gulf’s signature blue marlin event out of Destin. Major purse, strong regional following.
Texas Redfish Tournament Series
Year-round 2026 | Multiple redfish events across Galveston Bay, Corpus Christi, and the Lower Laguna Madre. CCA Texas STAR Tournament is the flagship event with $1M+ in prizes.
Bass Tournaments
REDCREST 2026 (Major League Fishing) — Table Rock Lake, MO
April 2026 | MLF’s premier championship event — the Super Bowl of professional bass fishing. Watch the world’s best compete on a stunning Ozarks impoundment.
Anglers in Action (AiA) Tournament Trail
Year-round 2026 | $10,000 guaranteed first place at all qualifying events. Four divisions: Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, Grand Lake, and Open Division. AiA Tournament of Champions: November 7–8 at Lake of the Ozarks. Top prize: Phoenix boat package.
Bass World Sports Classic Championship — Lake of the Ozarks, MO
March 19–20, 2026 | Over 40 years of history. Bass Clash divisions run Spring, Summer, Fall, and into 2027.
Kayak Fishing Tournaments
Fish N Paddle Saltwater Slam — Ocean City, MD
June 27–28, 2026 | See full listing above. The premier kayak saltwater event in the Mid-Atlantic. $7,000+ guaranteed cash. Registration and info: fishnpaddle.com
Hobie Fishing Series
Year-round, nationwide | The largest kayak fishing tournament series in America. Events in most major states, all seasons. hobie.com/fishing/tournaments
How to Enter Fishing Tournaments
Most major tournaments require advance registration — some fill up months before the event. Check each tournament’s official website for registration deadlines, entry fees, and required tackle restrictions (particularly circle hook requirements for billfish events). Always verify current regulations with the tournament director before competing.
Tournament dates and details are updated as information is released. Check back for additions throughout the 2026 season.