Yes. They are the same as the boundaries for the Jolly Mon and Fall Brawl. Roughly Swansboro to Georgetown. See Championship Rules for specifics.
No. The field for the Championship can be as few as 25 teams if no Kingfish Cup team wins a qualifying event outright or if any Kingfish Cup team who wins a qualifying event outright places into the top 25 at year-end. For every KFC team who wins a qualifying event outright but does not finish the year in the top 25, they will be added to the 25 boat count. Thus, up to 29 teams could possibly qualify out of the regular season qualifying events. Then, an additional 3 spots are guaranteed to be given to the top 3 finishing teams in the KFC Wildcard who have not yet qualified for the Championship.
Open to ALL Kingfish Cup teams
No entry fee
Payout: 1st- $3000, 2nd- $2000, 3rd- $1000
The top 3 finishing teams NOT all ready qualified for the Championship will earn a Wildcard invite to fish in the Championship the following weekend
It is very important you join the Kingfish Cup email list AND follow the Kingfish Cup on Facebook. These are the two ways that information on Kingfish Cup are spread. There will be an open enrollment date/time that you will need to be ready for entry. Availability is based on a first-come basis.
The Kingfish Cup will accept 100 teams
No, the captain is fixed and cannot change. You can change the Co-Captain up until the first qualifying event, but the Captain's name cannot be changed once entry is recieved.
The Jolly Mon, Got'em On........are like they always have been. You can pay them direclty on-line, by phone or at their Capt. Meeting. The Kingfish Cup isn't changing anything about these events; it is simply an umbrella riding over the top of these all ready great events. However, you DO have to enter them in order to earn points to qualify for the Kingfish Cup Championship.
If you win 1st place in any of the qualifying events, (Jolly Mon, Got'em On, Fall Brawl, Rumble) then you get an automatic invite to the Kingfish Cup Championship. You have to win 1st overall in the event to get the event though, not just top Kingfish Cup boat.
The Kingfish Cup has its own entry. It is an "umbrella" that rides over top of the Jolly Mon, Got'em On, Fall Brawl and Rumble. Thus you will pay entry fees like you always have to participate in the Jolly Mon etal. and the Kingfish Cup will be a seperate entry fee.
Absolutley YES ! The Kingfish Cup is proud to be a part of these awesome local events, but in no way will it affect how these events have been and will continue to be operated. Kingfish Cup or not, we want you at the Jolly Mon, Got'em On, Fall Brawl and Rumble.
If the Championship can not be held for whatever reason, prize moneys will be awarded based on point total accumulated from Qualifying event; your end of year rank. However, there are no parameters or rules as to when a reschedule of the Championship may be attempted, thus all options are open to insure a Championship event takes place.
As relates to points; it will remain your best three fish point total. Thus there would be no drop fish.
As relates to prize money designated towards payout in that Qualifying event; it would be pushed to the next Qualifying event to double that payout. In the event it was the last Qualifying event that was cancelled, the money would be pushed to the Championship. If the event is rescheduled, but it is after the Championship, the prize money will stay with the Qualifying event to give all participants a chance at that money.
At the end of the last qualifying event, each team will have a rank based on their total combined 3 fish weight. The top 25 teams will be invited to the Championship. If by chance none of these 25 teams are in Level 2 and/or Level 3, then monies from either Level would go to the top three highest ranked teams. If only two teams make the Championship that are in Level 2 or 3, those two teams will be battling it out for who gets first place money from that Level, while the third place money would go to the highest ranked team that did not make the Championship top 25.
You can bring any of your entry monies to the Ocean Isle Fishing Center so long as received prior to closing of entry for the first Qualifying event.
Entry for grandfathered teams opens March 1. This will determine how many open spots are available to fill the 100 boat field. Entry will open up to the public on Monday, March 18th at 10am via on-line entry form.
All of the captains will have paid the minimum Level 1 entry of $1000. The deadline to LEVEL UP will be when the registration for the first Qualifying event closes.
You have until registration for the Jolly Mon closes. After that date, all payouts will be set for the season through the Championship.
Anyone can fish with you during the Championship. The only requirement is that at minimum, EITHER the registered Captain OR Co-Captain must be on the boat.
No. The initial entry fee you pay will cover you. Thus if you qualify, you get an invite and don't have to pay an entry fee; you paid that upfront at the start of the season. * There are optional cash Calcuttas offered at the Championship, but no additional entry fee.*
Your initial entry in Level 1, 2 and/or 3 is the ONLY entry fee you will have to pay all year. Those payouts that are published are for EACH of the qualifying events.
No. To qualify you must amass the highest point total. That can be done with up to three fish, thus if you catch a 100 pounder you will likely qualify. Further, if you win a qualifying event you will automatically get an invite to the championship.
The Kingfish Cup is a limited entry tournament series that offers high-level, competitive King Mackerel fishing teams a platform to compete for more money and meaningful titles. It offers 100 teams the opportunity to compete over a course of four qualifying events to earn an invitation to a Championship event. The Kingfish Cup qualifying events are the Jolly Mon, Got’em On, Rumble and Fall Brawl King Mackerel tournaments. The 100 teams that choose to sign up to participate in the Kingfish Cup will fish these four events to amass the highest three fish point total; there will be one drop weight available out of the four events. The 25 teams that amass the highest three fish point total will receive an invitation to compete in the NO ENTRY FEE Kingfish Cup Championship event. Further, any Kingfish Cup team that wins 1st place outright in a qualifying event will earn an invitation to the Championship. Lastly, a Kingfish Cup Wildcard event will be held the week prior to the Championship. The top 3 finishing teams not yet qualified will win a wildcard invitation to fish in the Championship. Thus the largest possible field to fish the Kingfish Cup Championship will be 32 boats (25+4+3). This Championship event will be held in November from Ocean Isle Beach, NC.
To participate in the Kingfish Cup, the 100 teams must pay the required minimum Level 1 entry fee of $1500. There are two optional entry levels; Level 2 fee is $2500 and Level 3 fee is $3500. Entry to Level 1 will close when the 100 boat field is filled. However, teams within this 100 boat field may add additional optional Levels to their entry up until the start of the first qualifying event, the Jolly Mon. All 100 teams participating in the Kingfish Cup will compete for Level 1 money while only those teams who enter the optional levels will be competing for that level’s money.
Level 1, 2, and 3 money will be awarded in two different ways. The first will be through the qualifying events; Jolly Mon, Got’em On, Rumble and Fall Brawl. Half of all entries will be split evenly and paid out as winnings for each qualifying event. The second way that Level 1, 2, and 3 money will be awarded is at the Kingfish Cup Championship event. The 28-32 teams who qualify for the NO ENTRY FEE Championship will be competing for the remainder of the purse not awarded in the qualifying events. EX: $400,000 entry pot. $200,000 goes toward qualifying events, which is then split 4 ways so that each qualifying event will pay out $50,000. The remaining $200,000 will go towards the Championship.
Teams that entered the previous year will be given the first right of refusal to enter for the coming season, called being "Grandfathered". Entry for grandfathered teams opens early March and entry may be done online or by filling out the application and delivering it to the OIFC. Open enrollment will begin mid March. You will need to go to this page - https://www.kingfishcup.com/kingfish-cup-entry - If you get on this page before 10am, the page WILL NOT allow you to enter. You will want to hit the "refresh" button frequently leading up to 10am until the entry will go live and will allow you to enter your information necessary to enter the tournament. ** Specifics on scheduling are posted on the Kingfish Cup Facebook page, so be sure you are following.
In order to enter, you will have paid the minimum Level 1 entry of $1500. The deadline to LEVEL UP will be when the registration for the first Qualifying event closes, Jolly Mon King Classic.
Ocean Isle Beach is ground zero for the Kingfish Cup. It is the geographical central point for fishing through the Kingfish Cup Qualifying season. Early November fishing has proven very strong from the area over the past few years as November has become the new October. The lay of the land and proximity to the fishing grounds allow anglers to reach the fish and have success through often adverse Fall weather conditions. These are the reasons why Ocean Isle was chosen as the location for the Kingfish Cup Championship.
Thursday, November 14:
Championship social, dinner and awards at Smoked, 4812 Main St, Shallotte. A full 4-course meal will be served to all team members and their guests. A cash bar will be available on-site. Awards will be presented for Team of the Year, Wild Card Event and the Captain’s Meeting will be conducted. This is also the time when Calcuttas can be entered. ** Calcuttas will be CASH ONLY, and thus an ALL CASH PAYOUT **
5-6:45pm: Check-in, Calcutta registration, social & hors d'oeuvres. Bar will be open.
7pm: Everyone needs to be seated to confirm order details. Dinner will be served. The bar will remain open and servers will take drink orders as well at tables.
COMPETITION DAYS START FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH- The first "most favorable" fishing day from Nov 15-Nov 23 will be declared the tournament "fish-day". This is at the discretion of the tournament director. **A minimum of 36 hours notice will be given to all participants designating the competing day.
FISH DAY SCHEDULE
5:30am-6am: Boat inspections and check-out from OIFC docks. All competition boats must present their boat in-water at the OIFC docks and be available for inspection between these times. Any attempt to avoid, impede or dispute boat inspection will lead to disqualification.
6:30am: Shotgun start on VHF 72 from base of Ocean Isle Beach bridge
7am: Deadline to check-out to fish the Kingfish Cup Championship
3:00pm: OIFC docks open to drop off fish in fish bag
4:00pm: All boats must be checked-in at the base of the Ocean Isle Beach bridge
6:30pm: Weigh-In
*** NEW FORMAT FOR WEIGH-IN *** When you come to the OIFC dock, you will have the fish you plan to weigh in your fish bag, iced well. A tournament official will have a security tie that will be wrapped to each zipper on your fish bag to keep the bag from being tamped with, and the tag will have a unique ID number. Your bag will be placed in a secure location with the other team's fish bags. All locked and all uniquely identified with the locking tag ID number. At 6:30pm, all teams will gather at the OIFC where each team will one-by-one, unlock their bag, and present their fish to be weighed. ** NOTE ON FISH BAGS- Your bag must have a zipper that will fully close.
Championship Format & Rules Highlights: See complete rules- CLICK HERE
Accomodations:
McClure Realty: 800-332-5476 www.mcclurerealtyvacations.com
Williamson Realty: 910-579-2373 www.williamsonrealty.com
Sloane Realty: 910-579-6216 www.sloanerealty.com
Cooke Realty: 910-579-3535 www.cookerealty.com
Ocean Isle Inn: 910-579-0750 www.oceanisleinn.com
The Winds Resort: 910-579-6275 www.thewinds.com
Dockage:
Ocean Isle Marina: 910-579-6440 www.oceanislemarina.com
Inlet View: 910-754-8439 www.inletview.com
Captain’s Meeting & Dinner:
The Thursday prior to the start of the Championship at Smoked restaurant in Shallotte. A full 4-course meal will be served to all team members and their guests. A cash bar will be available on-site. The Captain’s Meeting will be conducted during dinner and should concluded by 8pm. This is also the time when Calcuttas can be entered.
Fish Days:
The Championship is a one day, 2 fish aggregate event. The first eligible fish day will be Friday, but due to weather consideration, the actual fish day can extend all the way until the Sunday of the following week. The fish day will be determined by the director based on best judgement for teams to fish in the best fishing conditions. A minimum of 36 hours notice of the fish day will be given to each championship team.
Check-Out:
Boat inspections and check-out from OIFC docks. All competition boats must present their boat in-water at the OIFC docks and be available for inspection from 5:30am-6:00am. After inspection/check-out, boat will proceed to the ICW and hold at the Ocean Isle bridge. A shotgun start will take place from the base of the Ocean Isle Beach bridge at approximately 6:30am on VHF 72.
Weigh-In:
*** NEW FORMAT FOR WEIGH-IN *** When you come to the OIFC dock, you will have your weigh fish you plan to weigh in your fish bag, iced well. A tournament official will have a secuirty tie that will be wrapped to each zipper on your fish bag to keep the bag from being tamped with, and the tag will have a unique ID number. Your bag will be placed in a secure location with the other team's fish bags. All locked and all uniquely identified with the locking tag ID number. At 7pm, all teams will gather at the OIFC for an Oyster Roast and other light eats, where each team will one-by-one, unlock their bag, and present their fish to be weighed. *
Calcuttas:
These will be all cash only, no checks, no cards and thus, they will be an all cash payout.
Big Fish Overall: Level 1- $200, Level 2: $500, Level 3: $1000
Heaviest 2 Fish Aggregate: Level 1- $200, Level 2: $500, Level 3: $1000
ALL-IN = $3400
** You can enter any level in any order you want. You are not required to enter Level 1 to enter Level 2.....
Each of the four Kingfish Cup qualifying events have established themselves as successful, fishermen friendly events. The Jolly Mon, Got’em On, Rumble and Fall Brawl host an average of 200 fishing teams per event and annually award winnings in excess of $500,000 and donated over $20,000 to local and regional charities.
To receive points in the Kingfish Cup and thus qualify for the Championship, teams will fish in these four events to amass the highest three fish point total. Each qualifying event will have its own rules and operate independently as they always have. Kingfish Cup teams must abide by each qualifying event’s rules to receive points.
*** Teams are not required to fish any set number of qualifying events. Fish one or fish all four and amass a point total high enough to finish in the top 25 and you will receive an invite to the Championship. There will be a provision whereby any Kingfish Cup team that wins a qualifying event will recieve and automatic invite to the Kingfish Cup Championship. There will also be a Kingfish Cup Wildcard event that will give 3 wildcard invitations to the top 3 teams not all ready qualified to fish the Championship.
*** In an effort to insure honesty and integrity, all Kingfish Cup qualifying events will administer a mandatory polygraph test. ***
*** If any Kingfish Cup team is disqualified from a qualifying event, no points will be received for that event and the Kingfish Cup team will be subject to disqualification without refund and removed from contention for any future Kingfish Cup prize opportunities. This decision is at the sole discretion of the Kingfish Cup committee*
*** NEW - Measures have been put in place to further insure the integrity of the Kingfish Cup as teams compete to qualify for the Championship. See https://www.kingfishcup.com/rules/qualifying-rules for specifics on requirements for Kingfish Cup teams in Qualifying Events
The team that amasses the highest three fish point total at the end of the four qualifying events will be awarded the "Team of the Year" trophy & $5000. 2nd place "Team of the Year" will receive $3000 and 3rd place "Team of the Year" will receive $2000
When you enter the Kingfish Cup, you will receive a custom Kingfish Cup flag. You are asked to zip tie this flag to your VHF antennae so that it can be seen during all Kingfish Cup qualifying events. The flag will allow you and others to know who Kingfish Cup competitors are as well as allow dockside Kingfish Cup staff to recognize participating teams.
Kingfish Cup apparel is available on-line
Click on the tournament below to view photo galleries from that tournament. All photos copyright © 2024 The Kingfish Cup Series
Qualifying Event Locations
