Big Island Marlin Tournament

Dates: August 24 – 28, 2026

The event that started it all in 1987, the Big Island Marlin Tournament was the first high-stakes, big-game tournament in Hawaii to pay a cash purse. It was also the first to pay cash for tag and release. With a base entry that pays the top three largest marlin, and optionals for both points and size each day, there is plenty to compete for in this historic event.

Schedule

Monday August 24, 2026 — REGISTRATION & CAPTAINS MEETING
1PM – 3PM: Early Registration at Fuel Dock office
4PM: Final registration & Captains’ Meeting with Kuleana Rum Bar at Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club
5PM: 100% refund from Base Entry withdrawal deadline*
6PM: Official briefing
8PM: Clubhouse registration deadline*
10:30PM: Final registration withdrawal deadline*

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 — FISHING DAY 1
6:15AM – 6:45AM: Last minute Optional Addition at Fuel Dock
6:15AM – 7AM: Visual check-out of vessels leaving harbor.
7AM: Start Fishing SHOTGUN START!
4PM: Stop Fishing
6PM: Dock Time deadline — all boats inside Honokohau Harbor*
6:30PM: Deadline for release video submissions*

Wednesday August 26, 2026 — FISHING DAY 2
6:15AM – 7AM: Visual check-out of vessels leaving harbor.
7AM: Start Fishing SHOTGUN START!
4PM: Stop Fishing
6PM: Dock Time deadline — all boats inside Honokohau Harbor*
6:30PM: Deadline for release video submissions*

Thursday August 27, 2026 — FISHING DAY 3
6:15AM – 7AM: Visual check-out of vessels leaving harbor.
7AM: Start Fishing SHOTGUN START!
4PM: Stop Fishing
6PM: Dock Time deadline — all boats inside Honokohau Harbor*
6:30PM: Deadline for release video submissions*

Friday, August 28, 2026 — AWARDS BANQUET
(in conjunction with It’s A Wrap registration)
4 PM: Awards Banquet with Dinner & Kuleana Rum Bar at Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club
6:30PM: Awards Presentation & Giveaway Drawings

* Please read through the rules to see specifics for timeline items

Tournament Registration

To register, select your preferred method of payment then download and complete the necessary forms listed below. Mahalo.

To pay with a credit card:

Click the blue “Buy Now” button below:
$2,781.00

To pay with cash or check:

Download a paper entry form
Make checks payable to Bonnier LLC

ALL entries (both online and paper) require Team Entry Forms, as well as two Liability Waivers.

Tournament Rules

All HMTS Tournaments abide by the International Game Fish Association’s International Angling Rules. Additional HMTS General Rules and specific Big Island Marlin Tournament Rules also apply.