Does OCEANCITY.MD sell entries for Canyon Kick-Off?

No—register only through the official tournament or host marina channels linked on this page. We publish planning context, not entry desks.

Will this tournament affect my recreational charter day?

Often yes near host docks—weigh-in crowds, trailer traffic, and reserved slips can slow staging. Ask your captain, and keep a non-tournament backup window. See charter trip picker and marinas .

Must I be an OCMC member?

The event is open to anglers; paid OCMC boat members are listed as free to enter. Verify 2026 non-member fees with the Club (410-213-1613).

Is this the same as the Mid-Atlantic Cup?

No. Canyon Kick-Off is the Marlin Club’s July 3–5 weekend. The Mid-Atlantic Cup is a separate July 4 dual-port listing with Canyon Club / Sunset contacts.

Billfish · 44th Annual

Canyon Kick-Off

Independence Day weekend Marlin Club canyon opener—free entry for paid OCMC boat members, fish 1 of 3 days, Fisherman’s Marina weigh-ins, and holiday lodging/fireworks traffic stacked on tournament logistics.

July 3–5, 2026 (fish 1 of 3 days; registration July 2)

Status (Eastern US date): Loading…

Confirm entry fees, lines-out times, and public weigh-in access with organizers before you travel. Status uses US Eastern calendar dates.

All fishing tournaments Events calendar page Official website

About this tournament

The Canyon Kick-Off (44th annual) is the Ocean City Marlin Club’s early-July billfish and canyon weekend. 2026 chairmen listed on the Club tournaments page are Bob Althauser and Sue Siefert. It opens the densest stretch of the Club summer calendar, sitting just before the Ocean City Tuna Tournament and weeks ahead of White Marlin Open.

Published 2026 rhythm: registration Thursday, July 2, 6:00–8:00 p.m.; fishing days Friday–Sunday July 3–5 with a fish-1-of-3-days structure; weigh-ins July 3–5, 5:00–7:30 p.m. at Fisherman’s Marina; awards Sunday, July 5 at the OCMC clubhouse. Download the brochure from the Club tournaments page for LOA, release, and species details.

Entry is listed as free to paid OCMC boat members and open to other anglers—confirm non-member fees in the brochure. FishInOC and Club materials highlight offshore prizes spanning mahi, tuna, and billfish releases; treat the live packet as authoritative when categories conflict across listings.

Holiday fireworks, bridge traffic, and packed West Ocean City lodging collide with lines-out mornings. Pad staging times on Sunset Avenue even if your boat already has a Club slip. Family beach plans should treat weigh-in windows and fireworks as separate calendar blocks.

Same holiday weekend calendars also list the Mid-Atlantic Cup (dual-port, July 4)—do not assume shared rules or weigh sites. Cross-link town fireworks under free town events, plus marine weather and lodging.

Club contact: 410-213-1613 · members.ocmarlinclub.com/Tournaments. Species context: white marlin guide and marlin FAQ.

At a glance

Host: Ocean City Marlin Club
Venue: Fisherman’s Marina (weigh-ins) · OCMC clubhouse (awards)
Address: 12933 Sunset Ave, West Ocean City MD (confirm)
Format: Fish 1 of 3 days July 3–5; registration July 2 6–8 p.m.; free to paid OCMC boat members (others confirm fees); weigh-ins 5–7:30 p.m. at Fisherman’s Marina; awards Sunday at OCMC.
Target species: White marlin, Blue marlin, Mahi, Tuna, Other canyon species (verify)
Phone: 410-213-1613

For spectators

Ask Fisherman’s Marina whether 5:00–7:30 p.m. weigh-ins are open to non-entered guests.
Plan around holiday fireworks, bridge traffic, and crowded dinner periods—Club awards Sunday are typically entrant-focused.

For anglers & crews

Paid OCMC boat members should verify free-entry status before registration night.
Declare which single fishing day you will use inside the 1-of-3 window.
Confirm release scoring vs meat-fish categories (mahi/tuna) in the brochure.

Planning tips

Pad marina and Route 50 minutes—tournament weeks compress West Ocean City and inlet corridors.
Book lodging early; billfish and tuna weeks stack with summer beach demand.
Confirm weigh-in windows and public viewing rules with the host marina before you promise kids a “scale night.”
Treat July 4 traffic as a holiday, not a normal marina commute.
Schedule family fireworks separately from return and weigh-in windows.

Map (approximate)

Open larger map (OpenStreetMap) — Approximate location; confirm exact gate or venue with organizers.

Tickets, registration & official links

Related fishing tournaments

Mid-Atlantic Cup — July 4, 2026 (Cape May / Ocean City listing)
Ocean City Tuna Tournament — July 9–12, 2026 (registration July 9 · fish 2 of 3 days July 10–12)
Marlin Club Kid’s Classic — July 18–19, 2026 (registration July 17)
Marlin Club Small Boat Tournament — June 20–21, 2026 (fish 1 of 2 days; registration June 19)

FAQs

Does OCEANCITY.MD sell entries for Canyon Kick-Off?: No—register only through the official tournament or host marina channels linked on this page. We publish planning context, not entry desks.
Will this tournament affect my recreational charter day?: Often yes near host docks—weigh-in crowds, trailer traffic, and reserved slips can slow staging. Ask your captain, and keep a non-tournament backup window. See charter trip picker and marinas.
Must I be an OCMC member?: The event is open to anglers; paid OCMC boat members are listed as free to enter. Verify 2026 non-member fees with the Club (410-213-1613).
Is this the same as the Mid-Atlantic Cup?: No. Canyon Kick-Off is the Marlin Club’s July 3–5 weekend. The Mid-Atlantic Cup is a separate July 4 dual-port listing with Canyon Club / Sunset contacts.