The Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament is a family-focused offshore fishing event designed to introduce young anglers to the sport of competitive billfishing while supporting charitable causes throughout eastern North Carolina. Held annually in Morehead City as part of the renowned Big Rock tournament series, the event brings together children, families, captains, and fishing enthusiasts for several days of offshore competition, waterfront activities, and community celebrations. The tournament serves as a fun and educational introduction to sportfishing while emphasizing conservation, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Summer is a fine time to drop a line in Carolina Beach, and during this annual fishing tournament, visiting anglers can discover just how much fun the local fishing scene can be while having a chance at landing some incredible prizes. The Coast Got-Em-On King Mackerel Classic is held over the course of a July weekend, and it features plenty of activities, comradery, and of course, plenty of exceptional fishing along the Cape Fear coastline.
The NCDU Band the Billfish Tournament is one of North Carolina’s premier offshore sportfishing events, bringing together anglers, captains, and conservationists each summer at Big Rock Landing in Morehead City. Hosted by the North Carolina chapter of Ducks Unlimited, the tournament combines world-class billfishing competition with a strong commitment to marine conservation and wildlife habitat protection. Since its inaugural event in 1989, the tournament has become a longstanding tradition on the Crystal Coast and a key stop on the state’s billfishing circuit.
Celebrating its 19th year in 2026, the Carteret Community College Spanish Mackerel & Dolphin Fishing Tournament is a great opportunity for anglers of all ages and abilities to test their skills in the plentiful waters of the Crystal Coast. Launching from the heart of Morehead City, this fun fishing tournament features a world of prizes for kids and adults, and is a great way to celebrate the summer fishing season along the North Carolina coastline.
Celebrating its 19th year in 2026, the Carteret Community College Spanish Mackerel & Dolphin Fishing Tournament is a great opportunity for anglers of all ages and abilities to test their skills in the plentiful waters of the Crystal Coast. Launching from the heart of Morehead City, this fun fishing tournament features a world of prizes for kids and adults, and is a great way to celebrate the summer fishing season along the North Carolina coastline.
Join in the fun of one of the summer’s most highly anticipated fishing tournaments while supporting a wonderful local cause by signing up for the Carolina Boat Builders Tournament. Held during the end of July – which is a prime time of year for exceptional fishing – this tournament which celebrates its 22nd year in 2025 combines multiple days of angling action with some exceptional events that highlight the best of the Outer Banks.
The Alice Kelly Memorial Tournament has been a tradition on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years, and is one of the most famous offshore fishing tournaments where only the ladies are allowed to compete.
Head to the waterfront docks of Manteo to take part in one of the biggest offshore fishing tournaments of the year at the annual Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament.
Head to the waterfront docks of Manteo to take part in one of the biggest offshore fishing tournaments of the year at the annual Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament.
Young anglers and families are invited to enjoy a fun-filled day on the waterfront during the Manteo Kids Fishing Tournament, a family-friendly event that celebrates the Outer Banks’ long-standing fishing traditions while giving children an opportunity to reel in some memorable catches. Held in the heart of downtown Manteo, the tournament welcomes kids of all experience levels, from first-time fishermen to seasoned young anglers eager to show off their skills.
Anglers can explore the exceptional fishing of the Carolina Beach inshore waters while hopefully cashing in on some attractive prizes at this annual tournament that reels in local and visiting anglers alike. The Carolina Beach Inshore Challenge is a fun and full-day fishing tournament that targets the waters of Carolina Beach Inlet and beyond to reel in some big rewards.
The Community Care Clinic of Dare is gearing up for its 5th Annual Billfish Tournament at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, inviting anglers, visitors, and community supporters to enjoy a memorable weekend of offshore fishing, waterfront fun, and giving back to a meaningful local cause. Now in its fifth year, the popular tournament has become a favorite Outer Banks tradition that combines the excitement of sportfishing with the laid-back coastal atmosphere that makes the OBX so special. Participants and spectators alike can enjoy the energy of tournament day while taking in the sights of the fleet returning to the docks, celebrating big catches, and connecting with fellow fishing enthusiasts from across the region.
Bring your rods and reels and discover how incredible the fishing on the Outer Banks can be when the temps cool and the fall season rolls around by signing up for the Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge. This popular fishing tournament takes place all across the islands, and allows anglers to pick a favorite spot, cast a line, and hopefully reel in a few big catches, as well as a few hefty cash prizes, along the way.
The Emerald Isle Fishing Tournament is an annual community event that brings together anglers, families, visitors, and local businesses for a day of friendly competition and coastal tradition. Held in Emerald Isle on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, the tournament celebrates the area’s rich fishing heritage while supporting charitable and community-focused initiatives. Proceeds from the event help fund scholarships for local students, waterway improvement projects, and other efforts that benefit the Emerald Isle community.
The fall season is prime time when it comes to exceptional fishing, and anglers of all varieties can get their lines wet by participating in the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament. Based at the local Dutchman Creek Park and featuring tons of prizes for anglers who sign up every year, this multiple day fishing tournament is a great way to explore the expansive waters of the Cape Fear region while landing in some big cash prizes along the way.
The BHI Surf Fishing Tournament is an annual fishing competition that brings anglers of all ages to the shores of Bald Head Island for a weekend of surf fishing, camaraderie, and coastal recreation. Held along the island’s oceanfront beaches, the event features both adult and youth divisions and offers participants the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and awards in multiple species categories, including red drum, bluefish, sea mullet, black drum, trout, and pompano. Organized by Bald Head Island Surf Fishing Tournament, LLC, the tournament is designed to celebrate North Carolina’s rich surf fishing tradition while encouraging participation from both experienced anglers and newcomers to the sport.
The Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Fishing Tournament is one of the Crystal Coast’s premier fishing competitions, bringing together anglers, boating enthusiasts, families, and spectators for several weeks of offshore competition and community events. Held annually in Atlantic Beach, the tournament celebrates North Carolina’s rich coastal fishing heritage while providing participants with the opportunity to compete for prizes and recognition in pursuit of one of the region’s most sought-after game fish, the king mackerel.
Head to the Crystal Coast to enjoy some of the best fishing conditions all year long by participating in October’s annual Swansboro Five-0 King Mackerel Tournament. This popular fishing tournament features up to $180,000 in prizes for participants, and is a great way to enjoy the down home culture, hospitality, and great coastal waters of Swansboro and the greater Crystal Coast region.
The Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Fishing Tournament is one of the Crystal Coast’s premier fishing competitions, bringing together anglers, boating enthusiasts, families, and spectators for several weeks of offshore competition and community events. Held annually in Atlantic Beach, the tournament celebrates North Carolina’s rich coastal fishing heritage while providing participants with the opportunity to compete for prizes and recognition in pursuit of one of the region’s most sought-after game fish, the king mackerel.
October is renowned as prime time for fishing on the Outer Banks, and Nags Head anglers don’t have to venture too far to enjoy a surf fishing tournament that is wonderfully close to home. The Nags Head Surf Fishing Club Tournament is open to skilled and amateur anglers alike, and takes place all along the sunny Nags Head beaches, with plenty of room to cast a line in the hopes of reeling in some big catches, and some big prizes.
October is prime fishing time on the coastline of North Carolina, and visitors can join in the fun and enjoy a little competition with big potential prizes at the annual Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge. Known as one of the best land-based surf fishing tournaments on the beach, this annual competition is a great way to enjoy the fantastic fall fishing while potentially scoring thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.
The group which hosts the tournament, Capitol City Four Wheelers, is based out of Virginia and is always looking for new members who love and promote safe 4WD accessible driving. For an October surf fishing tournament that revolves around driving along the incredible beaches of Hatteras Island, the Capitol City Surf Fishing Tournament is certainly one to watch.
At the NC VIP Fishing Tournament, the VIP stands for Very Important People as well as Visually Impaired Persons, and this tournament is a truly unique fishing event that ensures everyone can join in the fun of fall fishing on the Outer Banks. Held at Jennette’s Pier, which is well known as one of the best spots along the Outer Banks to drop a line, this tournament is the largest service project of its kind in the world, and is a great opportunity for VIPs everywhere to reel in some amazing catches, and some great times.
The Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Fishing Tournament is one of the Crystal Coast’s premier fishing competitions, bringing together anglers, boating enthusiasts, families, and spectators for several weeks of offshore competition and community events. Held annually in Atlantic Beach, the tournament celebrates North Carolina’s rich coastal fishing heritage while providing participants with the opportunity to compete for prizes and recognition in pursuit of one of the region’s most sought-after game fish, the king mackerel.
Registration is currently open for the Annual North Carolina Beach Buggy Association’s (NCBBA) Red Drum Tournament. The tournament features more than $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. The tournament offers miles of naturally isolated fishing grounds along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, allowing anglers to maintain social distance while enjoying the exceptional fall fishing conditions of the Outer Banks. Anglers fish from ORV Ramp 23 to Ramp 38, and possiblly Ramps 43 and 44 if judge availability permits. Anglers may fish where they please within the tournament boundaries, as there are no station assignments during the 60 hours of wide-open fishing. This year’s banquet and awards ceremony may be subject to restrictions by state or local authorities in regard to group gatherings, depending on the state of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Fishing Tournament is one of the Crystal Coast’s premier fishing competitions, bringing together anglers, boating enthusiasts, families, and spectators for several weeks of offshore competition and community events. Held annually in Atlantic Beach, the tournament celebrates North Carolina’s rich coastal fishing heritage while providing participants with the opportunity to compete for prizes and recognition in pursuit of one of the region’s most sought-after game fish, the king mackerel.
Renowned as one of the oldest fishing tournaments on the East Coast, the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament is also one of the biggest Hatteras island tournaments of the years, with hundreds of anglers flocking to the southern Outer Banks for exceptional fall fishing that can't be found anywhere else. With big prizes and plenty of opportunities to have fun off the beach, this tournament has become a generations-old tradition for local and visiting anglers alike.
Celebrating its 32nd year in 2026, the Hatteras Village Offshore Open continues to be one of the most popular fishing tournaments of the year along the southern Outer Banks, and is a fantastic chance to discover how incredible fishing off the Hatteras Island coastline can be. Based in the small town of Hatteras village on the southern edge of the island, this multiple-day tournament attracts anglers from all across the East Coast, and is one of the most anticipated fishing events of the year for folks throughout the Outer Banks, and miles beyond.
Head to the heart of Wrightsville Beach for this popular fishing tournament that will thrill participants and spectators alike. The annual Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament features multiple days of exceptional fishing, as well as an opportunity for visitors to learn about the conservation, protection, and preservation of valuable marine resources.