Island Harbor Marina Kencraft Challenger King Mackerel Tournament
August 3 to 5, Island Harbor Marina, Emerald Isle

There has been some action at the Keypost, Tom Smith Rock, and in the SE Bottoms area. While some nice fish may come from one of these places, I'll bet on the Beaufort Inlet Ship Channel, Dead Tree Hole, or one of the closer spots east of Cape Lookout. Jacks have been chasing bait along the beach from Cape Lookout to New River, so be careful not to overrun the kings, they could show up anywhere.

For more information on this tournament, call Island Harbor Marina at 252-354-3106.

Sneads Ferry King Mackerel Tournament
August 10 to 12, New River Marina, Sneads Ferry

This is an aggregate weight tournament so it is imperative that you catch not just 1 large king, but 2 nice fish. That changes my style of fishing. There will be some placing kings caught on right out of New River Inlet, but usually the big dogs come from the north or south. The ship channels at Morehead City and Southport should be good places to try. At Southport, you can add Yaupon Reef, McGlammery Reef, and Lighthouse Rock to the prime spots. At Morehead City, the Dead Tree Hole and the closer spots east of Cape Lookout need to also be on your list.

For more information call 800-682-2005 or 910-327-3953.

Shallotte Inlet King Classic
August 16 to 18, Hughes Marina, Shallotte Point

If we keep on having the weekend Nor'easters and cooler weather, this tournament could be won at its namesake inlet. There are already some mullet moving south down the beach so who knows? In the past few years, many of the winners have come from the 15 / 18 Mile Rock area. The Jungle and the 65 Foot Hole may also be good places to try. On the other hand, I like to fish the beach. The Cape Fear River Channel, Yaupon Reef, McGlammery Reef, and Lighthouse Rock are my prime picks. The Cucumber may also be ready to give up a big fish by this time.

For more information call Robert Causey at 910-754-6962.

Topsail Offshore Fishing Club King Mackerel Tournament
August 24 to 26, Topsail Assembly Building, Topsail Beach

New for this year's tournament is a one-day fishing format. It's no secret where the largest fish ever entered in this tournament came from. That was the 60 pounder that Don Westbrook caught on East Rock several years ago. Prior to that, the tournament record was Dennis Barbour's 52 pounder from the Cucumber in the early 90's. With no check out, boats will be scattering in both directions. To the south, I like the area around the Cape Fear River and to the north, I like the Dead Tree Hole and East Rock. Even I won't totally go totally against a fish that won $100,000.

For more information, call Fred Piper at 919-828-3045 or visit www.tofc.com.

South Brunswick Islands King Classic
August 31 to September 2, Holden Beach Marina, Holden Beach

This tournament has 4 check out locations between the Cape Fear River and Little River. Most of the time the larger fish come from right out front, but they have been from as far south as Cape Romain and as far north as Cape Lookout. Of course, one year the winner came from inshore of the Lockwood Folly Sea Buoy. My rule of thumb is if bait is plentiful and easy to catch along the beaches then there is no need to run offshore and if the bait is a bit sketchy and hard to catch, I might run out to one of the rocks in about 60 feet of water. Inshore, all the inlets should be good places to fish. If you head off, the Jungle, 65 Foot Hole, 15 / 18 Mile Rock, and the Cucumber are all good choices at the right depth.