Does OCEANCITY.MD sell entries for the Challenge Cup?

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 .

Where are the weigh-ins?

There are none. The Challenge Cup is strictly release-only and requires nightly reports to the OCMC office from 6–8 p.m.

Billfish · 48th Annual

Charles Kratz & Scott Smith Challenge Cup

OCMC's 48th annual late-season Charles Kratz & Scott Smith Challenge Cup is a strict release-only event with nightly reporting instead of weigh-ins.

September 17–19, 2026 (registration September 16)

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

OCMC lists the Charles Kratz & Scott Smith Challenge Cup as its 48th annual event, despite some calendars using 46th; the Club label is the better authority.

Chairmen Andy Helms and Anthony Pino oversee registration Wednesday, September 16 from 6–8 p.m.

Teams fish two of the three September 17–19 days, giving captains a choice around late-season conditions.

There are no weigh-ins: this is strictly release-only, with reports submitted nightly to the OCMC office from 6–8 p.m.

Awards follow Saturday at OCMC; keep weather, marinas, and events in view as fall seas become less predictable.

At a glance

Host: Ocean City Marlin Club
Venue: OCMC office and clubhouse
Format: Register September 16, fish two of three days, submit nightly 6–8 p.m. release reports to OCMC, and attend Saturday awards. No weigh-ins.
Target species: Billfish release

For spectators

There is no public fish scale because the event is strictly release-only.
Awards access should be verified with OCMC.

For anglers & crews

Submit reports nightly; do not wait for a final-day scale process that does not exist.
Late-season weather can determine the two chosen fishing days.

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.”
Set a reliable nightly reporting reminder for the entire crew.
Use the Club's 48th annual label rather than conflicting calendar numbering.

Tickets, registration & official links

Related fishing tournaments

Sept. 11th Memorial Spot Tournament — September 12, 2026
Flounder Pounder — September 13, 2026 (one-day; verify weigh hours with Bahia)
Ocean City Inshore Classic — October 10–11, 2026

FAQs

Does OCEANCITY.MD sell entries for the Challenge Cup?: 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.
Where are the weigh-ins?: There are none. The Challenge Cup is strictly release-only and requires nightly reports to the OCMC office from 6–8 p.m.