The Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth is back for 2026, bringing with it a massive $25,000 grand prize. Saltwater anglers across New York and southern New England know that the weekend before Labor Day marks the unofficial end of the angling summer, with this longstanding event igniting friendly competition all over Long Island and Connecticut.
This is not a winner-take-all event. Beyond the $25,000 grand prize, the second-largest bluefish landed will net $7,500, and third place takes home $2,500. Cash prizes continue down to 20th place, including $500 for fourth and fifth, $200 for sixth through tenth, $150 for eleventh through fifteenth, and $100 for sixteenth through twentieth. Additionally, the heaviest bluefish weighed at each of the 20 official stations will nab a $100 port prize. Anglers can weigh in catches at local tackle dealers—including AW Marina, J&B Tackle, Black Hall Outfitters, and Fisherman’s World—where your catch might be featured in our weekly reports.
The tournament begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026, and runs through 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The competition is strictly confined to the waters of Long Island Sound. The western boundary is the Whitestone Bridge, and the eastern edge is defined by the Colregs Demarcation Line running from Orient Point, New York, across to Watch Hill Point, Rhode Island, fully incorporating Fishers Island Sound and the Race.
Registration is $42 per angler, which includes a tournament t-shirt, or $36 for entry alone. To ensure a level playing field, the top three winners must pass a polygraph test. Every individual on a vessel must be registered separately to qualify for prizes; some may recall that a young lady of just 12-years of age took home the grand prize a few years back, proving anglers of all ages can win. Sign up online at www.bluefishtournament.com, by calling 203-866-BLUE, or in person at participating tackle shops. Anglers must register before August 14, 2026, to guarantee a tournament t-shirt.
