ROTARY CLUB OF SNEADS FERRY
2023 KING MACKEREL TOURNAMENT – NEWS RELEASE
Crew of “Reel Chaos” with Winning Fish in 2022 KMT
The 32nd Annual King Mackerel Tournament (KMT) sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sneads Ferry is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, August 18 and 19, 2023, at the Pelagic Hunter Fishing Center (New River Marina) in Sneads Ferry. This Southern Kingfish Association (SKA) event continues to be acclaimed by North Carolina sports fishermen as one of the best king mackerel tournaments in the Carolinas. Cash and other prizes in 2022 exceeded $97,000, spread amongst 20 different boats. The overall first-place prize is $10,000 based on 100 boat entries.
The new owners of the Pelagic Hunter Fishing Center (comprising New River Marina and Power Marine Outfitters), John and Jessica Cruise, again have their superb fishing venue available for this spectacular event for the Rotary Club of Sneads Ferry. The tournament remains the Club’s major fund-raising event, allowing the members of the Rotary Club of Sneads Ferry to remain dedicated to the welfare and well-being of area residents. Proceeds from the KMT are used by the Club to assist in funding its charitable giving to the Sneads Ferry community in the form of scholarships, local projects, education in local schools, aid to seniors, and much more.
Complete KMT information and pre-registration are available online: www.SFKMT.com. Onsite registration for the 2023 KMT begins at noon on Friday, August 18, 2023 and closes at 8:00 PM that night. The Friday night’s Captains’ Shrimp Dinner is open to the public and the $15 tickets may be purchased from any Club Rotarian, or at the door. Hours for the Dinner are 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and the location is (note change from past years) the Sneads Ferry Community Center, 126 Park Lane in Sneads Ferry. The delicious seafood meal is prepared and served by Rotarians and faithful volunteers. The festivities officially begin at 6:00 PM on Friday evening with the “Presentation of Colors” by US Marines, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Southern Breeze and Garden of Eaten food trucks will be available to all patrons.
Fishing Day headquarters on August 19 is, as always, the New River Marina in Sneads Ferry. Tournament fishing begins at 7:00 AM (Sunrise 6:33 AM) on Saturday, August 19, 2023 and closes at 5:00 PM that evening. Weigh-in scales will open at 2:00 PM and with fish due dockside for weigh-in not later than 5 PM.
The Awards Ceremony is open to the public and starts approximately at 6:30 PM at New River Marina on Aug 19.
Contributing Major Sponsors include the Pelagic Hunter Fishing Center (Power Marine Outfitters and New River Marina), Pluris, Onslow County Tourism, JOEMC, Topsul Fitness, First Citizens Bank, Coastal Bank and Trust, and Treasure Realty.
The always popular Official KMT TShirts will be available for sale on Saturdays starting in May, 9AM-4PM outside Ace Hardware in Sneads Ferry, at the New River Marina retail shop, and at the Turtle Factory store in Sneads Ferry. Short sleeve: $25, Long sleeve $30 in a wide variety of colors.
For further KMT information, contact Phil Work, 2023 KMT Director, at (901) 489-1741.