East Coast Got Em On King Mackerel Tournament 2023
July 7th through the 9th, 2023. The East Coast Got Em On King Mackerel Tournament is a highly anticipated event for fishing enthusiasts. Hosted by the Got Em On Live Bait Club in Carolina Beach, Pleasure Island, North Carolina, the tournament is a summer highlight that brings together families and fishing aficionados from all over the East Coast.
East Coast Got Em On King Mackerel Tournament: Summer Fishing Extravaganza
Tournament Details
The tournament’s Captains Meeting is scheduled for Friday night at 6:30 in the Town Parking Lot across from the Charter Fleet. The weigh-in process begins on Saturday at 2pm and continues on Sunday at 12pm. Participants unload their catch at the Municipal Docks on the west side of the marina and then proceed to the Tournament Headquarters for the weigh-in. There are designated slips for drop-off and pick-up. This year, there will be two check-in boats – one at Channel Marker #161 and one at Snows Cut Wildlife Ramp pier.
Online registration for the tournament will close at 9PM on Friday, July 7th. However, in-person registration at the tournament site will be available until 10PM.
Prize Pool
The tournament boasts a substantial prize pool. The first-place prize for the King Mackerel category is $20,000, based on 185 boats. If there are more than 185 boats, the tournament will prorate the prizes. The prizes for the 2nd to 5th place are $10,000, $5,000, $2,000, and $1,500 respectively. There are also prizes for the 6th-10th place, 11th-20th place, 41st place, 60th largest fish, 120th largest fish, and the last place fish.
There are also special awards such as the Single Engine Class Award, Michael D. Coleman II Junior Angler Award, Suzanne Jones Lady Angler Award, Family Fishing Award, and the Got Em On Live Bait Club Member Award.
A Community Event
The East Coast Got Em On King Mackerel Tournament is more than just a fishing competition; it’s a community event that brings together families and friends for a great summer of fishing. The tournament organizers express their gratitude for the support and participation of the community and look forward to seeing everyone on the water.
What is a king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)?
The King Mackerel, also known as Scomberomorus cavalla, is a popular game fish found in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a migratory species with a range extending from Maine in the U.S. to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, and is particularly prevalent around the coasts of Florida.
King Mackerel are known for their speed and agility in the water, as well as their fighting spirit when hooked, which makes them a popular target for sport fishing. They are a medium-sized fish, typically around 20-30 pounds, but can grow much larger. The current record for a hook and line caught king mackerel is 90 pounds.
They are characterized by their slim, streamlined bodies that are iridescent bluish-green on the back with a silvery underside. They have a sharply pointed first dorsal fin and a row of small finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins.
King Mackerel are carnivorous, feeding on squid, menhaden, jacks, cutlassfish, weakfish, grunts, and other fish species. They are known to make fast, long runs and leap out of the water when hunting or when hooked.
While they are a popular sport fish, care should be taken when consuming King Mackerel because they are known to carry high levels of mercury. The FDA warns against consuming King Mackerel for certain groups including pregnant women, nursing mothers, women who may become pregnant, and young children.
Frequently Asked Questions
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