The Sport Fishing Championship: History In the Making

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!

RELATED: Record $9.2M Payout won at this years 48th White Marlin Open

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!

Mark-Neifeld-SFC-commissioner-CEO-announced-the-inaugural-season-beginning-April-2022
Mark Neifeld, SFC commissioner & CEO, announced the inaugural season beginning April 2022. 

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

San Juan International Bill Fish Tournament
San Juan International Bill Fish Tournament in San Juan, PR.

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.

Lights-Out-Winners-of-Oak-Bluffs-Bluewater-Classic-Sport-Fishing-Championships
 The crew of Lights Out for winning 2020’s Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic in Martha’s Vineyard, MA.

RELATED: 2021 Swordfish Cup. New Zealand claims 2nd Consecutive Win!

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).

Sport-Fishing-Championsship
Register for the SFC here.

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.

No matter if you are an amateur or a pro, you will not want to miss this event! And if you have your eyes on the main prize, don’t forget to improve your marlin game! Good luck and see you there!

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