May 2026 Tournament Recap
May was a busy start to the 2026 offshore season. Two dozen tournaments ran on Reel Time across South Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and the Bahamas, from one-day blue marlin shootouts to multi-week release competitions. Here are the boats, teams, and anglers who finished on top.
The Bahamas Billfish Circuit
The Bahamas had the busiest May calendar. The Walker’s Cay series and the Abaco events drew the deepest billfish fields of the month, including the Armed Forces Shootout out of Marsh Harbour, where the Navy took the Branch Battle.
2026 Baker's Bay Invitational
Billfish Releases (Overall)
- FRIGATE4,200 pts
- GRAND SLAM2,900 pts
- Southern C's2,150 pts
Heaviest Mahi
- MAMA SEATA52.0 lb
Heaviest Tuna
- SEA WOLFE28.8 lb
2026 Armed Forces Shootout
Top Overall Team - Billfish Release
- Lunatico1,500 pts
- Squid Chain1,200 pts
- Valentine1,150 pts
Branch Battle
- Navy3,150 pts
- Air Force1,200 pts
- Army1,100 pts
Top Angler - Billfish Release
- Ryan Parrott950 pts
Top Meatfish Angler
- Rick Bledsoe43.2 lb
2026 SFC Walker's Cay Open
SFC Teams - Overall Points
- South Florida Sails AC2,925 pts
- New Jersey Sea Birds1,450 pts
- East Coast Remix900 pts
Heaviest Mahi
- Taylor Jean44.6 lb
Heaviest Tuna
- Marlin Brando42.8 lb
2026 Walker's Cay Blue Marlin Bash
Overall Points
- Exodus600 pts
- Ohana550 pts
- Irish Twin500 pts
Heaviest Tuna
- Surfbum41.4 lb
2026 Walker's Cay Invitational
Overall Points
- Kickin'Tires3,600 pts
- Juben3,250 pts
- Grand Slam2,800 pts
Heaviest Tuna
- Texan116.0 lb
Heaviest Mahi
- Forloh Life49.8 lb
2026 Elbow Reef Classic
Top Boat - Billfish Release Points
- Mo Betta4,100 pts
- Cheeseburger3,500 pts
- Gemlux2,300 pts
Top Overall Angler
- Ron Ladner2,900 pts
Heaviest Mahi
- Floridays39.2 lb
South Carolina Lowcountry
Charleston and Georgetown ran a packed stretch of billfish release events. A few boats landed on more than one leaderboard, including Game On, Rascal, and Claytime.
Charleston Billfish Invitational
Overall Billfish Points
- Redemption2,000 pts
- FULLABULL600 pts
- Game On600 pts
Heaviest Dolphin
- Rare Breed24.2 lb
58th Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament
Billfish Release Points
- Rascal2,800 pts
- Star Fish2,400 pts
- Claytime2,200 pts
Heaviest Wahoo
- On the Hook58.3 lb
Heaviest Dolphin
- Home Run40.2 lb
2026 HMY Lowcountry Cup
Billfish Release Points
- Game On3,400 pts
- Claytime3,000 pts
- Rascal2,800 pts
Heaviest Mahi
- SPORTIN' LIFE53.3 lb
Heaviest Wahoo
- Higher Limits41.3 lb
SFC Carrier Cup
Overall Points (Teams)
- New Jersey Sea Birds1,875 pts
- South Florida Sails AC675 pts
- East Coast Remix525 pts
Florida Offshore
Florida’s east coast ran a mix of billfish release scoring and heavy meatfish aggregates, from St. Augustine down to Stuart.
54th Annual Bluewater Tournament
Billfish Release Points
- Reelxcape II800 pts
- Oil Pen525 pts
- PEZ VELA125 pts
Gamefish Aggregate
- Optimum138.47 lb
Heaviest Tuna
- Optimum55.11 lb
Stuart Sailfish Club KDW
Aggregate Meatfish
- Hit Em Straight55.69 lb
- Triple H15.91 lb
- Reel Music15.9 lb
Top Angler
- Mark Carrier27.12 lb
Striped Bass & Fishing Clubs
May also belonged to the fishing clubs. MRMTC, a member-run fishing club, kept a spring striped bass release leaderboard live for eleven days, while clubs from Stuart to Corpus Christi ran their own season-long standings.
MRMTC Spring Striped Bass Tournament
Most Release Points
- Bill Reilly215 pts
- Michael Henderson135 pts
- Charles Wehmeyer110 pts
3-Fish Stringer
- Bill Reilly120 pts
Still Underway
Several season-long competitions started in May and are still running, with live leaderboards updating as catches come in.
South Carolina Governor’s Cup
Multi-leg billfish series running through July 19.
Mongo Offshore (Gulf Coast & East Coast)
Season-long offshore challenge open through September.
MRMTC Club Bluefin Tuna Tournament
Open May 16 through June 24.
MRMTC Monthly Tournaments
Rolling monthly leaderboards through November.
Corpus Christi Big Game Fishing Club
Club championship season underway through September.
Results reflect leaderboard standings recorded on Reel Time as of June 1, 2026. Official placings are determined by each tournament's committee; consult the event for certified results.
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