Each summer, the waters of Long Island Sound transform into a battleground of bait, steel, and brute force as thousands of anglers set their sights on the gnarliest predator inshore—the bluefish. Now in its 43rd year, the WICC Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth, presented by Surfside Hotel, is once again set to deliver a weekend of adrenaline, tradition, and high-stakes fishing across the Sound.
Slated for Saturday and Sunday, August 23–24, 2025, the event invites anglers of all ages and skill levels to compete for a $25,000 grand prize awarded to the heaviest bluefish weighed in. With more than $40,000 in total payouts, the tournament remains one of the most lucrative—and competitive—saltwater fishing contests in the Northeast.
From casual weekend warriors to die-hard competitors, the WICC bluefish tournament represents more than just a shot at a cash prize. It’s a celebration of angling culture in its purest form—one that spans generations and continues to connect shoreline towns and waterfront communities from Connecticut to New York.
This year’s format follows the classic 41-hour sprint, kicking off at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, and closing at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24. As always, it’s a game of ounces and timing—knowing when and where to land that one fish that could put you at the top of the leaderboard.
Anglers are permitted to fish anywhere in Long Island Sound, including, for the first time in tournament history, the infamous Race, a bold addition to the eligible fishing grounds that adds a new tactical layer to this already dynamic competition. Long known for its aggressive current, steep structure, and migratory gamefish, the Race could produce a tournament-winning fish for those willing to brave its chaos.
Shore, boat, kayak—it doesn’t matter. The tournament is open to all U.S. residents with a valid Connecticut or New York saltwater fishing license, and registration includes access to any and all methods of legal fishing. Weigh stations are strategically placed throughout the Sound, ensuring no matter where you fish, you’re never too far from a scale—though getting there before the weigh-in cutoff is another matter entirely.
Unlike many other tournaments, where multiple fish can win you points, the WICC event is all about that one fish—the heaviest blue caught and weighed within the window. There’s no secret formula or guaranteed hot spot. Blues are notorious for showing up in numbers one day and vanishing the next. Their mood is influenced by moon phase, tide, bait concentration, and even barometric pressure. That unpredictability is exactly what makes the tournament so compelling.
And then there’s the community element. Marinas will be buzzing, bait shops will see lines out the door, and anglers will be swapping theories, intel, and last-minute rig setups well into Friday night. It’s the kind of grassroots excitement that defines the local fishing scene and reminds us why we fell in love with it in the first place.
Of course, with big money on the line, there are rules to uphold the integrity of the event. The fish must be fresh, whole, and weighed live at an official station. No frozen fish, no pre-caught stashes. And for those fortunate enough to make the top tier of the leaderboard, passing a mandatory polygraph test is required before collecting a prize. These measures aren’t just about fairness—they’re about preserving the reputation of a tournament that has stood the test of time.
Special categories like the Junior Angler Division and Port Prizes add depth to the competition, rewarding young anglers and hometown weigh-ins. Even if you’re not in contention for the top prize, there’s a sense of pride that comes from topping your local port or seeing your child’s name on the youth leaderboard.
For many, the tournament isn’t just about winning—it’s about tradition. It’s about waking up at 2 a.m., fueling up the boat under a sky full of stars, and dropping lines into dark, churning water as the sun rises over the Sound. It’s about strategy, patience, and more than a little luck.
As we count down the days to tournament weekend, tackle bags are being restocked, reels re-spooled, and hooks sharpened. Some anglers are already scouting their favorite ledges and rips, keeping tabs on where the blues are staging. Others are fine-tuning their rigs, debating whether to chunk bunker or troll spoons—or maybe try both.
The buzz is undeniable, and with good weather, strong participation, and the inclusion of new waters, the 2025 WICC Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Whether you’re gunning for glory or just soaking in the scene, there’s no better place to be that weekend than on the Sound.
So pack the cooler, get your entry in, and bring your A-game—because that next cast could be the one that lands you in the winner’s circle.
