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.


Share this article w/ Friends...

Rendering of Foley's Indoor Aquatics Center
By Guy Busby June 20, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley is moving forward with plans to build a new indoor Aquatics Center at Max Griffin Park. The facility will be on West Roosevelt Avenue, near the site of the city's existing outdoor swimming pool. That outdoor pool has served Foley residents since 1953. The new center is designed to provide l
Two Books by Author Tyler Smith
By R. Peevy June 20, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — When you picture Gulf Shores, Alabama, you might think of white sand, turquoise water, and a relaxed pace of life. But for local author Tyler Smith, the coast serves as the quiet backdrop for some intense literary action. Smith, who has made a name for himself as a writer of gripping politi
Happy Father's Day 2026
By OBA Staff June 20, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Father's Day arrives this Sunday, a holiday less about commercialism and more about acknowledging the figures who have shaped our moral and ethical foundations. Known for imparting both professional expertise and the resilience needed to overcome life's hurdles, fathers play a crucial role
Health Advisory for Some Area Fish
By OBA Staff June 19, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Alabama Department of Public Health has issued its updated guide to eating fish. The state regularly monitors chemical buildup in local waterways to keep the public safe. This new guide helps anglers determine which fish are safe to eat. Recreational activities such as swimming and boa
Strawberry Moon Paddle on Wolf Bay
By OBA Staff June 19, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach is hosting a full-moon paddle on Wolf Bay once again. The public is invited to enjoy an evening of paddling and relaxation under the night sky. The Wind and Water Learning Center is organizing the event. Attendees can bring their own boats or rent gear at the Learn
Gag Grouper - Photo from Gulf Council
By OBA Staff June 19, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — NOAA Fisheries is imposing new limits on the Gulf’s Other Shallow-Water Grouper complex and establishing a fixed recreational closure for part of the year. The rule affects scamp, yellowmouth grouper, black grouper, and yellowfin grouper. Officials say it is intended to slow harvest and pr
Baldwin County Sheriff's Office Update
By OBA Staff June 18, 2026
Fort Morgan, Ala. — (OBA) — A father died after a water rescue in Fort Morgan, where he tried to save his son in the Gulf. Emergency crews swiftly responded to reports of swimmers in distress and worked diligently to bring both individuals back to shore. Once they reached land, life-saving efforts commenced immediatel
Boardwalk on Twin Bridges Trail
By OBA Staff June 18, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — As Orange Beach grows, it is leaning into ecotourism, focusing on protecting the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail and surrounding habitats. The effort integrates conservation, education, and visitor access in a way that fits the area’s changing needs.
National Weather Service office in Mobile issued a Flood Watch that runs through 7 PM Friday.
By OBA Staff June 18, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County officials are sounding the alarm as dangerous weather moves into the region. The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur are expected to bring heavy rain, flooding, and rough seas. The Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency urges residents and visitors to take this threat seri
Deepsea Fishing on Annie Girl Charters
By OBA Staff June 18, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach sits on some of the Gulf Coast's best fishing waters, and this week offers a fitting reason to take advantage of them. National Go Fishing Day comes around once a year, encouraging people to drop a line in the nearest body of water. The day champions fishing as a relaxing, acc
Show More