2026Kingfish Cup Championship
- Dates
- November 13–22, 2026
- Location
- Ocean Isle Beach, NC
- Target species
Overview
Invitation-only championship of the Kingfish Cup, a limited-entry king mackerel series whose four Carolina qualifiers (Jolly Mon, Got 'Em On, Rumble in the Jungle, Fall Brawl) feed a November final at Ocean Isle Beach.
The Kingfish Cup is a limited-entry king mackerel tournament series (100 teams) run out of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center. Teams earn points at four qualifying events (Jolly Mon King Classic, East Coast Got 'Em On, Rumble in the Jungle, Fall Brawl King Classic); the top 25 qualifiers plus Team-of-the-Year and wildcard boats advance to the Championship.
The Championship is a one-day, two-fish-aggregate event fished on the first favorable weather day inside a November window (Nov 13-22, 2026), with a shotgun start at the Ocean Isle Beach bridge and weigh-in at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center. A free Wildcard event (Nov 11 or 12) gives the top three unqualified teams a final invitation. The organizer states the series pays over $450,000 annually with more than $240,000 at the Championship.
ScheduleEastern (US) time
- WednesdayNov11November 11, 2026
- 5:30 AM
Kingfish Cup Wildcard (fish day Nov 11 or 12, best weather day)
Ocean Isle Fishing Center docks
Free wildcard event open to all Kingfish Cup teams; top 3 unqualified teams earn Championship invites
- ThursdayNov12November 12, 2026
- 5:00 PM
Championship social, dinner, Team of the Year awards and Captain's Meeting
Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Check-in and calcutta registration 5:00-6:45 PM; seated dinner 7:00 PM
- FridayNov13November 13, 2026
- 5:30 AM
Championship fish-day window opens (first favorable day Nov 13-22)
Ocean Isle Fishing Center
Boat inspections 5:30-6:00 AM; shotgun start 6:30 AM at base of Ocean Isle Beach bridge; weigh-in 6:30 PM at OIFC
Results
Results will be published here after the 2026 event concludes.
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Tournament status and quick actions
Fishing forecastAvailable closer to tournament week · Ocean Isle Offshore