Prizes

Eyes on the Prize

Guaranteed Prize Structure

The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament has a guaranteed prize structure. 
We do not base the payout on the number of entries.

We are in the process of securing sponsors for the 2023 tournament.  Please check back and watch the prize structure grow.

If you are interested in sponsoring the tournament Click Here.
Those sponsors who signup prior to June 15th will be included in this year's tournament brochure.

 Primary Prizes - 2023

A boat entry can only win one Primary Prize. The entrant does remain eligible to win Secondary Prizes with the same fish or additional fish.  Fish weights will be entered in an on-site computer. Each fish will be entered in the appropriate category of competition so as to assure the angler of the greatest prize earnings.

$25,000- Grand Prize

$10,000- 2nd Place

$  5,000- 3rd Place

$  2,500- 4th Place

$  1,500- 5th Place

$  1,400- 6th Place

$  1,300- 7th Place

$  1,200- 8th Place

$1,100 9th Place

$1,000- 10th Thru 15th Place

$   800- 16th Thur 20th Place

$   600-  21st Thru 22nd Place

$   600- Dale Ward 23rd Place

$   600- 24th Thur 25th Place

$   500- 26th Thur 55th Place

Overall Trophies

Thank you Copper by George for donating the beautiful copper fish trophies given to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Overall Largest King.

 Aggregate Weight Prizes (Primary Prizes)

Aggregate Weight Prizes must be more than one fish. Aggregate Weight Prizes are primary prizes. A boat entry can only win one Primary Prize.

$1,016- Day 1 Aggregate Weight Prize sponsored by: SeaTow

$1,015- Day 2 Aggregate Weight Prize sponsored by: Dosher Memorial Hospital

Secondary Prizes - 2023

Tournament Special Weight Fish Prizes

Friday, October 6th

1st Prize - 13.05 lbs.   $495

2nd Prize - 15.60 lbs.  $425


Saturday, October 7th

1st Prize - 13.10 lbs.   $495

2nd Prize - 14.00 lbs.  $425

S.R. "Buddy" Rudd, Jr. Special Weight Prize- $125

$125 for first fish weighing in at 21.50 lbs.

D.V. Jones Special Weight Prize- $125

$125 for first fish weighing in at 19.95 lbs.

Walter "Bill" Owens, Jr. Special Weight Prize-$125

$125 for first fish weighing in at 19.30 lbs.

Edward "Ed" Harper Special Weight Prize-$125

$125 for first fish weighing in at 23.75 lbs.

45th Fish Weighed In- $500

$500 for the 45th fish weighed in on Saturday, October 7th

 145th Largest Fish Prize- $810

For the 145th largest fish of ALL fish weighed, not just the largest from each boat.

Early Bird Entry Drawings- $350 each

Early Bird Drawing Deadline is Friday, September 8, 2023. Two $350 winners will be announced at the Captains’ Meeting -in person & online at www.usopenkmtlive.com (7pm on Thursday, October 5, 2023) from all those who enter the tournament before 11:59pm on September 8th. Postmarks by September 8th are acceptable. Prize check will be mailed

BOB KING Prize  -$1750 Total

$1,750 Total Cash Prize. $1,000 to largest, $500 to second largest and $250 for third largest fish caught by an "ORIGINAL" owner and current owner of a BOB KING Buick or GMC in the last five years. BOB KING will award this prize. Employees of BOB KING are not eligible to win this prize. Based on boat owner, not crew. 




Grand Patron Sponsor Prizes

$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 12.00 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by Odyssey Offshore.


$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 14.25 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by Dutchman Creek Bait & Tackle.


$520 for the 1st king weighing in at 14.60 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.


$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 16.50 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by Garmin.


$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 24.00 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by Builders FirstSource. 

$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 24.50 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by
Better Beach Rentals & Sales.


$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 20.05 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by Hawthorne at Pine Forest Apartment Homes.

$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 20.50 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by
Southern Concepts Design Build. 


$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 21.00 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by BEMC.


$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 26.00 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by Mosquito Joe.


$520.00 for the 1st king weighing in at 28.00 pounds in the 2023 US Open King Mackerel Tournament, sponsored by Mocean Contracting.

Sponsored Special Weight Prizes

All special weight fish are guaranteed prizes. If a fish is not weighed in at exactly the weight posted the computer will award the prize to the first fish weighed in closest (either over or under) to the posted weight. 


$125 Each for the first fish weighing in at the below weights.

Friday, October 6th

12.95 lbs.     Pacula Builders, LLC

13.50 lbs.     BoatPix.com

18.00 lbs.     Truist

18.05 lbs.     Silicon Travel

18.30 lbs.     United Bank
19.80 lbs.     
Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS
22.20 lbs.     
GP Rental & Gregory Poole Equipment
23.00 lbs.   
Coastal Auto Network

23.45 lbs.   Monster Tree Service Cape Fear
25.20 lbs.     
Island Times Carts
26.50 lbs.     Southport Smoke House
31.00 lbs.     Lockwood Inlet Association   

31.30 lbs.     Flying Machine Brewing Company

32.00 lbs.   Oak Island Accommodations

Saturday, October 7th

13.50 lbs.     BoatPix.com

14.75 lbs.     Bell's Supply Heating & Air
16.25 lbs.     
Southport Ace Hardware
17.25 lbs.     
Brunswick Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

18.05 lbs.     Silicon Travel

18.30 lbs.     United Bank

21.50 lbs.     Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS

22.20 lbs.     Island Times Carts

23.00 lbs.     Truist

23.40 lbs.     Barn and Beach Designs
23.45 lbs.     
Monster Tree Service Cape Fear
26.50 lbs.     Southport Smoke House
27.40 lbs.     
GP Rental  & Gregory Poole Equipment
31.30 lbs.     
Flying Machine Brewing Company
32.00 lbs.     
Oak Island Accommodations

33.00 lbs.     Coastal Auto Network

33.30 lbs.     Peacock Newnam & White Funeral Services


North Carolina State Record

The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will award $10,000 to the angler with the largest king at the end of competition that breaks the existing North Carolina state record of 82 lbs 4 oz. (as of 7/19/2023).  This prize will be awarded only after verification, certification and all requirements are met.


Junior Angler Awards

Junior Anglers are any child(ren) age 14 and under fishing on the boat. The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will include a Junior Angler medal for every child in the Captain's Bag. Please make sure to identify by name on the registration form every Junior Angler on your boat. 



Junior Angler Aggregate Prizes

Rules for Junior Angler Aggregate Prizes: Juniors are 14 & Under and must be identified properly on your registration form. The Junior does not have to catch the fish but does have to be on the boat when the fish is caught. Before signing your weigh slip it is your responsibility to make sure the weigh slip indicates if the Junior was “onboard”. Junior Aggregate Weight Prizes must be more than one fish. Junior Aggregate Weight Prizes are Secondary Prizes, so the fish remains eligible for other prizes. Winner checks will be made to the Junior.


Day 1 JUNIOR ANGLER AGGREGATE PRIZE $501

Day 2 JUNIOR ANGLER AGGREGATE PRIZE  $502



Senior Angler Two Day Aggregate Prize

Two Day Senior Aggregate Prize -$500.00.  Rules for Senior Angler Aggregate Prize: Seniors are defined as 60 years of age and up and must be identified properly on your registration form. The Senior does not have to catch the fish but does have to be on the boat when the fish are caught. Before signing your weigh slip it is your responsibility to make sure the weigh slip indicates if the Senior was “onboard”. Senior Aggregate Weight Prize is a two-day total of all fish caught on the boat. It must be more than one fish to qualify. Senior Aggregate Weight Prize is a Secondary Prize, so the fish remain eligible for other prizes.



Tournament within a Tournament Prizes

TWT PRIZES BREAKDOWN: *Each Tournament Within A Tournament remains separate, but follows the same award breakdown: Fifty percent (50%) will be awarded to the first place winner in the largest king category, Thirty percent (30%) will be awarded to the second place winner, Twenty percent (20%) will be awarded to the third place winner. Note: The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will deduct fifteen percent (15%) administrative fee from the pool before money is awarded.  You must be entered in the respective TWT to be awarded the prize.

KING TOURNAMENT WITHIN A TOURNAMENT

The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will conduct a King Tournament Within a Tournament (KTWT). For a $100 entry fee, a pool of money will be divided among the top three finishers in the largest fish category entered in this TWT.* 

HIGH ROLLER TOURNAMENT WITHIN A TOURNAMENT

The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will conduct a High Roller Tournament Within a Tournament (HRTWT). For a $250 entry fee, a pool of money will be divided among the top three finishers in the largest fish category entered in this TWT. *

LADY ANGLER TOURNAMENT WITHIN A TOURNAMENT

The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will conduct a Lady Angler Tournament Within a Tournament (LTWT). In order to be eligible the lady angler must be a registered crew member and the lady must be on board when the fish is caught. For a $125 entry fee,a pool of money will be divided among the top three finishers in the largest fish category entered in this TWT. *

SINGLE ENGINE TOURNAMENT WITHIN A TOURNAMENT

The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will conduct a Single Engine Tournament Within a Tournament (SETWT). Single Engine is defined as Single Primary Propulsion Engine. For a $200 entry fee, a pool of money will be divided among the top three finishers in the largest fish category entered in this TWT entered in this TWT.*

SUPER HIGH ROLLER TOURNAMENT WITHIN A TOURNAMENT

The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will conduct a Super High Roller Tournament Within a Tournament (SHRTWT). For a $1,000 entry fee, a pool of money will be divided among the top three finishers in the largest fish category entered in this TWT.* 

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