Hook Big Fish Classic returns with $1 million

The Hook Big Fish Classic returns this weekend in Ocean City, Maryland with more bragging rights on the line. Now in its 13th year, the offshore tournament has become one of the East Coast’s premier big-game fishing events, offering a record $1.256 million prize pool in 2025 and introducing a first-of-its-kind women’s billfish competition for 2026.

The tournament runs July 24-26 and will once again bring dozens of offshore teams to Ocean City, known as the “White Marlin Capital of the World,” to target some of the Atlantic’s biggest fish. Public weigh-ins will take place at MR Ducks on the historic Talbot Street Pier throughout the weekend, giving spectators a front row seat as the boats return from the offshore area with tournament-caliber catches.

This year’s crowning achievement is the new Ladies Marlin Release division, which organizers describe as the world’s first dedicated 32-hour women’s marlin release competition. The division was created to recognize the growing role of women fishermen in offshore fishing by honoring the women who helped establish Ocean City’s billfishing tradition in the late 1930s.

“We are extremely proud to launch what we believe is the first dedicated 32-hour women’s marlin release competition of its kind,” said West Erdman, Hook’s vice president of brand. “Women have been an important part of Ocean City’s billfishing story for generations, and we love seeing that legacy carried forward by the growing number of talented women competing offshore today. This division honors that history while creating an exciting new platform for women who help shape the future of sport fishing.”

Hook CEO Brian Johnston said the new division reflects the company’s commitment to growing participation in offshore fishing while celebrating the athletes who shape the sport.

“We are excited to welcome anglers to Ocean City for another unforgettable Hook Big Fish Classic, while also celebrating the female athletes who play an important role in the sport of offshore fishing,” Johnson said. “We are especially proud to support the launch of the Ladies Marlin Release Division, creating another opportunity to celebrate the talented women who continue to make an impact on our sport while honoring Ocean City’s remarkable billfishing heritage.”

Tournament director and co-founder Brian Roberts said the new division fits in perfectly with the original vision of the tournament.

“When we created the Hook Big Fish Classic, we wanted to create more than a tournament,” said Roberts. “We wanted to celebrate the incredible history of the Talbot Street Pier and the people who made Ocean City the White Marlin Capital of the World. The new Ladies Marlin Release division is a natural extension of that mission.”

While the women’s competition is the main attraction for 2026, the tournament has expanded steadily since its debut in 2014.

“When we launched Hook Big Fish Classic In 2014, our goal was to create something that celebrated Ocean City’s incredible offshore fishing heritage while providing anglers a unique tournament experience. “Since then, it has grown significantly in both participation and reputation.”

He pointed to last year’s record-breaking $1.256 million payout as evidence of the tournament’s growth.

Unlike many billfish tournaments, which focus primarily on catch-and-release, the Hook Big Fish Classic also features teams weighing qualifying species at the Talbot Street Pier, one of the most popular public fishing events on the East Coast.

The tournament is also emphasizing conservation and community service. The fish brought to the scales are professionally filleted and donated diakoniaA Worcester County nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness. Thousands of pounds of fresh fish were donated at last year’s tournament, enough to help provide approximately 5,000 meals throughout the year. The event also raises funds for the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department and other local charities.

As to where this year’s winning fish might come from, Erdman said it’s anyone’s guess.

“It’s always the million-dollar question,” he said. “Offshore fishing has a way of keeping everyone humble because conditions can change quickly, but that’s what makes this tournament so exciting.”

Registration is open, and tournament festivities begin July 24, with public weigh-ins and onshore celebrations continuing throughout the weekend. mr ducks At the Talbot Street Pier in Ocean City.