More than 1,400 anglers toss in a line during annual king mackerel tournament
SOUTHPORT, NC (NEWS RELEASE) — More than 432 boats and 1,400+ anglers were hoping to reel in that big cash prize in the 40th Annual U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament over the weekend. This year’s winner has taken home the gold before!
Top honors for their 37.2-pound king mackerel went to Captain Dieter Cardwell from Winston-Salem aboard “Tide Line.” The boat took home $108,216.
2nd place and $38,055 went to Captain Timothy Gray from Wilmington on the “Beeracuda” for their 36.05-pound king.
3rd place honors and $46,115 went to Captain Patrick Overstreet, IV aboard “Service Call” from Tarboro for their 35.45-pound king.
This was the first major event held in Southport since Hurricane Florence.
“This was not your usual U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament but, in many aspects, it was the same quality event that organizers had hoped for 40 years ago,” said Karen Sphar, Executive Vice President of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce. “There were challenges caused by Hurricane Florence which created long runs for anglers to catch their prey but the seas were cooperative, the hospitality in Southport-Oak Island was warm and in the end the 2018 U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will go down in the record books as the first time it wrote a check to the winner that exceeded $100,000 and to a repeat winner.”
“We believe holding the tournament sent a strong message to visitors and residents alike that we are resilient, and the Southport-Oak Island area is OPEN for business.”
The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament has a $2 million economic impact.
The Chamber of Commerce through the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament also supported Brunswick Family Assistance Hurricane Relief efforts with a $1,500 donation. In addition, there were donations by participants collected during the tournament and the tournament Board plans to add to their support from the tournament proceeds.
The tournament, an event of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce is held annually the first week in October at the Southport Marina.
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