Southport Magazine

The 44^th Annual U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament is right around the corner. This year’s tournament will be Thursday, Sept. 29 through Saturday, Oct. 1 at Brunswick County’s Dutchman Creek Park, 4750 Fish Factory Road. The U.S. Open is one of the largest king mackerel tournaments on the East Coast of the United States and part of the SKA (Southern Kingfish Association) Tournament Trail. 

In 2021, the tournament attracted 561 boats and paid out over $423,600 in prizes. The Tournament has an all cash guaranteed prize structure that is not based on participation numbers. It pays 55 places in its primary prize category including $25,000 for the largest king mackerel. There are also 40 sponsors such who add supplementary cash prizes to the event.

Three notable prizes include the Daily Aggregate Weight Prizes, Senior Angler and Junior Angler Awards. The Daily Aggregate Weight Prizes are sponsored by Sea Tow and Dosher Memorial Hospital and Junior Angler Awards are sponsored by Oak Island Accommodations, Coastal Pediatric Dentistry and Novant Health. Each day, a $1,000 Aggregate Prize will be given to the boat that catches the most poundage from combining the weights from two or three fish. The Junior Angler Aggregate prizes are daily and total $1,000 while the overall senior aggregate is a two-day total with a $500 award.

Food Court 

The tournament Food Court will be open on Thursday from 12-7 pm and Friday from 12 – 5 pm featuring SeaDogs (hot dogs, chips, drinks) and Saturday from 12 – 7 pm featuring Wallace Catering (Burgers, BBQ Sandwich/Slaw, Chicken Sandwich with Fries, Shrimp or Fish Po Boy with fries, Seafood Gumbo, Shrimp Dinner, Fish Dinner, Combo Fish & Shrimp Slaw and Fries).

Sponsor Showcase

Visit the Grand Patron Sponsor Showcase at Dutchman Creek Park Sept. 29 through Oct. 1. Grand Patron sponsors BEMC, Better Beach Rentals, Dutchman Creek Bait & Tackle, Floor Coverings International, Garmin, Hamilton Realty Group EXP Realty, Laurie Insurance Group, Mocean Construction, Odyssey Offshore, SKA, Seakeeper, Southern Concepts Design & Build, and The State Port Pilot will be on site selling merchandise and talking about their product or service during the tournament. 

Registration

Early Bird Registration – Online, postmarked or at Chamber’s Welcome Center by midnight on Friday, Sept. 9. Online Registration – Available until 11 pm on Sept. 27.  Onsite Registration – Sept. 29  from 10 am – 9 pm at Dutchman Creek Park.

Packet Pickup 

All registrants must come to Packet Pickup at Dutchman Creek Park between 10 am – 9 pm on Thursday, Sept. 29. NowCat Band will perform at the park from 4 – 7 pm, playing a variety of music including yacht rock, country and blues. The Captain’s Meeting will be held in person and virtually on Thursday, Sept. 29  at 7 pm at Dutchman Creek Park or on www.usopenkmtlive.com  It is strongly advised that all captains tune in or attend this meeting, as any rule changes or necessary clarifications will be announced at the meeting.   

Weigh ins 

Watch the tournament participants weigh their catch in person at Dutchman Creek or online. PointClickFish.com will stream weigh-ins at the scales live from the tournament during peak weigh-ins on Friday from 2-5 pm and Saturday from 2-4 pm. Pick up the link to the live feed at http://www.usopenkmtlive.com/.

Merchandise

The tournament merchandise is very popular and will be available online at www.sptokimerchandise.com  until Sept. 23 and in person sales Monday–Friday from 8:30 am – 5 pm at the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center from Aug. 25 to Sept. 28.  Merchandise  will also be available at the tournament headquarters (Dutchman Creek Park) Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 or until it sells out.

The Awards 

The awards ceremony will be held virtually at www.usopenkmtlive.com and in person at Dutchman Creek Park beginning at 7:30 pm on Oct. 2.  Prior to the awards ceremony Salty Dawgs – Coastal Carolina Party Band will perform at the Park from 4:30-7:30 pm.

Tournament details are available on the Tournament website, www.usopenkmt.com, or for a brochure, contact the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce, 4433 Long Beach Road, SE, Southport, NC 28461. (910) 457-5787 or (800) 457-6964 or e-mail the Chamber at events@southport-oakisland.com.