The Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth
The Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth returns to Long Island Sound on Saturday and Sunday, August 29 and 30, bringing anglers from Connecticut and New York together for the 44th edition of one of the region’s longest-running fishing competitions.
The premise has remained wonderfully uncomplicated: catch the heaviest bluefish and win $25,000.
But there’s considerably more money on the line than the grand prize. The 2026 tournament will award more than $40,000 in cash and prizes, with payouts extending through 20th place, prizes at individual weigh-in stations and a separate competition for young anglers.
A Long Island Sound Tradition
Now in its 44th year, the tournament has grown into a late-summer tradition spanning virtually the entire length of Long Island Sound.
There isn’t one marina where everyone gathers to fish.
Competitors can head out from Connecticut or New York, fish from boats or shore, and search for bluefish throughout the tournament’s designated waters.
The western boundary extends to the Whitestone Bridge. In contrast, the eastern boundary reaches the waters around Orient Point, Fishers Island and Watch Hill, with The Race included within the tournament area.
For southeastern Connecticut anglers, that puts some very familiar bluefish territory squarely in play.
Fishing Starts Just After Midnight
This isn’t a tournament that waits for a comfortable Saturday-morning start.
Lines can hit the water beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 29.
Anglers then have until 5 p.m. Sunday to find the fish that could move them onto the leaderboard.
Official weigh-in stations operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and reopen from 6 a.m. until the tournament concludes at 5 p.m. Sunday. All qualifying bluefish must be weighed before that final deadline.
That creates nearly an entire weekend of possibilities, from fishing beneath the stars early Saturday morning to making one final run Sunday afternoon.
$25,000 for One Bluefish
Weight determines the winners.
The angler bringing in the tournament’s heaviest qualifying bluefish earns the $25,000 grand prize.
Second place pays $7,500, while third earns $2,500. Fourth and fifth place receive $500 each, and cash prizes continue all the way through 20th place.
There’s another way to leave with money even if your fish doesn’t crack the overall Top 20.
A $100 Port Prize goes to the angler weighing the heaviest bluefish at each official weigh-in station.
That means the leaderboard isn’t the only competition worth watching as fish begin arriving at stations around the Sound.
Young Anglers Have Their Own Prizes
Kids aren’t simply allowed to enter. They’re encouraged to compete.
The tournament includes a separate Under 18 division for the three heaviest bluefish landed by younger contestants.
First place earns $1,000, while second and third place each receive a $100 gift card.
Young anglers remain part of the overall tournament as well, making this one of those rare competitions where a family can spend the weekend fishing together while everyone aboard has something at stake.
Weigh-In Stations Around the Sound
The tournament uses a network of official stations throughout Connecticut and New York rather than requiring anglers to return to one central location.
For southeastern Connecticut competitors, participating businesses include AW Marina in New London and Hillyer’s Tackle Shop in Waterford, with additional stations positioned westward along the Connecticut shoreline and across Long Island.
That decentralized setup is what allows the entire Sound to effectively become the tournament venue.
Catch the fish.
Get it to an official station.
Then find out where it lands on the leaderboard.
WEIGH IN STATIONS:
AW Marina | 178 Pequot Avenue, New London, CT | 860-443-6076
Black Hall Outfitters | 372 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT | 860-434-9680 Ext 2
Black Rock Bait & Tackle | 3309 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT | 203-345-1835
Bobby J’s | 354 New Haven Avenue (Indian River Plaza), Milford, CT | 203-876-1495
Branford Bait & Tackle | 55 Goodsell Point Road, Branford, CT 06405 | 203-315-1313
Dee’s Bait & Tackle | 93 Clay Street, New Haven, CT | 203-562-7025
Fin’s Bait & Tackle | 34 Riverside Drive, Clinton, CT | 860-664-5476
Fisherman’s World | Liberty Square (2 Fort Point Street), East Norwalk, CT | 203-866-1075
Hillyer’s Tackle Shop | 374 Mago Point Way, Waterford, CT | (860) 443-7615
Sportman Den | 33 River Road, Cos Cob, CT | 203-869-3234
Ted’s Bait & Tackle | 35 Clark Street, Old Saybrook, CT | 860-388-4882
Registration Closes Before the Fishing Begins
Every angler competing for prizes must register individually.
Registration costs $36 per contestant.
Online registration remains open until 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 28, while in-person registration at designated registration stations closes at 7 p.m. Friday. The tournament’s mail-in registration period closes earlier.
Once the clock hits 12:01 Saturday morning, registration is over and the fishing begins.
One Fish Can Change the Weekend
Bluefish have earned their reputation among Long Island Sound anglers.
They’re aggressive predators, powerful fighters and not particularly interested in coming quietly to the boat.
During this weekend, though, every decent bluefish comes with another question.
How much does it weigh?
Because somewhere else on Long Island Sound, another angler is wondering exactly the same thing.
For nearly two days, boats will move through the Sound, anglers will work beaches and shoreline spots, fish will arrive at weigh stations and the leaderboard will keep changing.
Then at 5 p.m. Sunday, the scales close.
And somebody’s bluefish will be worth $25,000.
Event Details
Event: The Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth
Dates: Saturday, August 29–Sunday, August 30, 2026
Fishing Begins: Saturday at 12:01 a.m.
Tournament Ends: Sunday at 5 p.m.
Location: Long Island Sound
Registration: $36 per angler
Eligibility: Open to registered anglers
Grand Prize: $25,000
Second Place: $7,500
Third Place: $2,500
Total Cash and Prizes: More than $40,000
Youth Competition: Separate prizes for the three heaviest bluefish caught by anglers under 18
Youth Grand Prize: $1,000
Saturday Weigh-In Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday Weigh-In Hours: 6 a.m.–5 p.m.
Online Registration Deadline: Friday, August 28 at 11:59 p.m.
In-Person Registration Deadline: Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m.
The Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth brings anglers across Long Island Sound together for a two-day competition with more than $40,000 in cash and prizes and $25,000 waiting for the angler who lands the heaviest bluefish.
More information is available at the Event Website link below.
To register, click the Event Ticketing link below.
Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.
