Football has the World Cup. American football has the Super Bowl. Tennis has Wimbledon. But what about sport fishing? Beginning in 2022, North American sportfishing will have its own major competition: The Sport Fishing Championship. There will be approximately 15,000 anglers all vying for the same prize: the coveted Billfish Championship title and trophy.
You’ve seen big competitions before, yes, so how will this one be different? What is the history of this event? What will it be like? Let’s find out!
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Sport Fishing Championship History: 400 Years in the Making
Though sport fishing has been around for a while, the Sportfishing Championship (SFC) is an exciting new twist.
Momentum SE and sport fishing officials from across North America are partnering together. Eleven well-established tournaments will combine into one single event with one winner. The SFC will be combining over 400 years of sportfishing into this one event. 2022 will be the first year of this event. Truly, this is sport fishing championship history in the making!
Sport Fishing Championship International Offshore Series
The SFC will span from April – August 2022 in a range of exciting locations across North America:
● Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, Venice, LA: April 29 – May 3
● Club Nautico de Santo Domingo White Marlin Tournament, Punta Cana, DR: May 5 – 7
● 50th Annual NEFMA Bluewater Tournament, St. Augustine, FL: May 11 – 14
● Gulf Coast Masters, Orange Beach, AL: May 23 – 29
● Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, Biloxi, MS: June 6 – 12
● Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, Miramar Beach, FL: June 22 – 26
● Charleston Offshore Classic, Charleston, SC: July 6 – 10
● Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic, Martha’s Vineyard, MA: July 12 – 17
● Texas International Fishing Tournament, South Padre Island, TX: Aug. 5 – 8
● Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament, Manteo, NC: Aug. 11 – 15
● San Juan International Billfish Tournament, San Juan, PR: Aug. 16 – 21
Species of Fish in the Tournaments
Ther Sport Fishing Championship will feature a wide variety of fish with four divisions qualifying for prizes.
Species Highlights and Different Categories
The Championship Fish Divisions will be awarded to the team with the “Greatest Catch” for Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Yellowfin.
The Billfish Championship is the premier competition of the Sportfishing Championship.
Prize Money
Though the official Sport Fishing Championship rules will be announced in October 2021, this is what we know so far.
After the eleven-tournament season, four winners will be crowned. In the Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Yellowfin divisions, the winner will be determined by a simple “heaviest fish wins.”
The winner in each division will receive the title as well as a cash prize! The cash prize amounts will be announced in early 2022.
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Summary of Prize Money for the Sport Fishing Championship
To be eligible for the Billfish Championship, the team must take part in at least three qualifying events. They must also register a qualifying catch in each event. Qualified catches are any sailfish, white marlin, or blue marlin.
The winners of the Billfish competition will receive a cash prize and the stunning Ernest Hemingway Championship Trophy.
How to Join the Sport Fishing Championship
Ready to register for the Sport Fishing Championships? Registration will open in December 2021 on the official website!
In the meantime, there are plenty of other exciting events on the horizon! Other upcoming North American tournaments include the Fall Striper Showdown (September 24 – 25, 2021 in New York) and the Tightlined Slam (October 1 – 3, 2021 in Connecticut).
The SFC and You
The 2022 Sport Fishing Championship might be one of the most exciting developments in recent sportfishing history. The amazing prizes, the high participation, and beautiful locations – the SFC promises all this and more.
