The best big-game anglers in the nation will join in the best tournament competition in the Gulf of Mexico during the 2025 season. From giant blue marlin to 200-pound-plus yellowfin tuna, the Alabama Gulf Coast will host numerous tournaments to showcase the fantastic fishing available in the Gulf.
Head to Alabama's Beaches for some of the best big game fishing tournaments.
The action starts with the Orange Beach Billfish Classic (OBBC), set for May 13-18 at The Wharf Marina. The family-run OBBC is unique among billfish tournaments on the northern Gulf Coast and promotes big-game fishing and billfish conservation. The TBF was founded to preserve bluewater species like marlin, sailfish, spearfish, and swordfish and is the largest tournament donor to The Billfish Foundation (TBF) worldwide. The event donates 100 percent of the net profits to TBF and other qualified 501(c)(3) conservation organizations. Since its inception in 1996, the tournament has donated over $800,000 to TBF.
The OBBC kicks off the 2025 Alabama Gulf Coast tournament fishing season and is one of the 10 Gulf Coast tournaments qualifying for the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship Series.
Next up on the calendar is the Gulf Coast Masters, the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club’s (MBGFC) Memorial Day tournament, set for May 21-24 at Orange Beach Marina. Fishing begins after a shotgun start at 10 am on May 23, and the scales at the MBGFC dock will be open from 3 pm to 8 pm on Friday and Saturday.
If you’re looking for a “family fishing” event, consider heading to the Alabama Gulf Coast’s world-famous Flora-Bama for the Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo, set for June 6-8, with weigh-ins at Flora-Bama’s Ole River Grill. Anglers can compete in 30 categories, from gaff-topsail catfish to red snapper and yellowfin tuna.
The Gulf Coast Triple Crown champions are crowned after the series finale, the Blue Marlin Grand Championship, set for July 11-12, also at The Wharf Marina. Categories include blue marlin weighed, catch and release, tuna, dolphin, and wahoo.
Rounding out the big game tournament season is Mobile Big Game Fishing Club’s Labor Day Invitational scheduled for August 30- September 1 at the club’s Orange Beach Marina facility.
Zeke's Marina is expected to once again host its third annual Charter Billfish Tournament on September 4-6. This event is open to all charter boats, and anglers are encouraged to book a spot on participating charters. Boats will leave the Pass and return to Zeke's for weigh-ins. The weekend will feature live music, drink specials, prize giveaways, and great food.
