UPDATE FOR 2025 TOURNAMENT

 Well, in the mid 1970’s, the VHF radios off Carolina and Kure Beaches would often scream “Got Em On!!!”.   It was the victory call for a tight knit group of locals who had a passion for live bait fishing.  As King Mackerel fishing grew in popularity, this tournament was born as a joint venture between the Got Em On Live Bait Club, Kure Beach Fire Department and Carolina Beach Fire Department.  Now, the East Coast Got Em On King Mackerel Classic, as it is formally known,  is one of the oldest King Mackerel Tournaments around.   Always held the second weekend in July, in the heart of Carolina Beach across from the Municipal Docks, this event is known to draw close to 200 boats from all over North and South Carolina.   As the tournament has always tried to reward and honor our anglers, we boast a 1st place payout of $20,000 and regularly pay out well over $100,000 in total, including several specialty awards paid in memory of founding members and families.  

The East Coast Got Em On King Mackerel Classic is known to provide a weekend long celebration for not only Anglers and their families, but spectators alike.  You don't want to miss weigh in each day! This event has proven to be successful in our community for such a long time because of the hard working and dedicated volunteers working diligently behind the scenes all year long.  All of our staff are serving on a strictly volunteer basis, the monies raised by this tournament stay right in this community supporting our Fire Departments with additional equipment and training, and the Got Em On Live Bait Club’s Marine Science Scholarships offered at UNCW and Cape Fear Community College. 

We welcome you, your family, and your friends to visit our tournament, fish with us, and enjoy your time in our community.