Anglers Head To Orange Beach For The Start Of Billfish Tournament Season

R. Ken Cooper • May 6, 2026

The Orange Beach Billfish Classic opens a packed schedule of Gulf Coast fishing tournaments

Anglers Head To Orange Beach For The Start Of Billfish Tournament Season

Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  The Orange Beach Billfish Classic is set to bring some of the most exciting offshore fishing competition to the Alabama Gulf Coast this spring. The tournament will be held at The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. It is the first event in a larger series of billfish tournaments spanning the Gulf Coast. Anglers from across the region are expected to compete for top honors on the open water.


The tournament runs from May 12 through May 17. It serves as the opening event of the Gulf Coast billfish tournament season. The series will continue through the summer, with three more stops along the Gulf.


The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach is a well-known hub for competitive fishing along the Alabama coast. It will host the series' opening and closing events. The marina offers deep-water access and top-notch facilities, making it a popular venue for major fishing tournaments. Competitors will head offshore into the Gulf in search of billfish, including blue marlin and sailfish.


Billfish tournaments are a big deal along the Gulf Coast. Teams spend months preparing their boats and gear in hopes of landing a trophy fish. The competition is fierce, and the stakes are high. Prize money and bragging rights are on the line for every crew that enters.


The Orange Beach Billfish Classic attracts serious offshore anglers. The event gives local and visiting teams a chance to showcase their skills on the water. It also brings attention and tourism dollars to the Orange Beach area. The tournament is considered one of the premier fishing events on the Gulf Coast calendar.


For more information about the Orange Beach Billfish Classic, including registration and tournament details, visit
orangebeachbillfishclassic.com.


After the Orange Beach event wraps up, the series moves on to other Gulf Coast destinations. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is held in early June in Biloxi. The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic runs June 17 through 21 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort near Destin, Florida. The series concludes with the Blue Marlin Grand Championship, which returns to The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach from July 14 through 19.


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