
2026 Tournament Season Kicks off in Kona
The Lazy Marlin Hunt and Lure Makers Challenge launch the 2026 HMTS
Dates: July 3 – 6, 2026
Presented By
Set over the July 4th weekend, concurrent with the Blue Marlin World Cup, the signature Firecracker Open Big Game Tournament gives Kona teams the chance to compete on a global scale while also winning big locally. The event features a base purse split between blue marlin and ahi, along with multiple optional jackpots for both weighed and tagged fish.
Friday, July 3
4-7:30 PM:
Live Music, Party, Dinner & the Kuleana Rum Works Bar at Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club
Saturday 7/4
6:00 AM: Boats permitted to leave Honokohau Marina
8:30 AM: Start Anywhere
4:30 PM: Lines Out
6 PM: All boats inside Honokohau Marina
6:30 PM: Deadline for release video submissions (see below for exceptions)
Sunday 7/5
6:30-7 AM: Visual check out North Side of Fuel Dock
7 AM: Shotgun Start
4 PM: Lines Out
6 PM: All boats inside Honokohau Marina
6:30 PM: Deadline for release video submissions (see below for exceptions)
Monday, July 6
(in conjunction w/the Kona Throw Down Registration)
4 PM: KTD Registration open for the next tournament
5 PM: Live Music, Party, Dinner & the Kuleana Rum Works Bar at Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club
6:30 PM – Firecracker Open Awards Presentation & Raffle Drawings
7:15 PM – Kona Throw Down Captain’s Meeting
To register, select your preferred method of payment then download and complete the necessary forms listed below. Mahalo.
To pay with a credit card:
Click the blue “Buy Now” button below:
$1,030.00
To pay with cash or check:
Download a paper entry form
Make checks payable to Bonnier LLC
ALL entries (both online and paper) require Team Entry Forms, as well as two Liability Waivers.
All HMTS Tournaments abide by the International Game Fish Association’s International Angling Rules. Additional HMTS General Rules and specific Firecracker Open Rules also apply.
HMTS 2026 Schedule
Check out past winners, highlights and updates from the Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series.

The Lazy Marlin Hunt and Lure Makers Challenge launch the 2026 HMTS

From a life-changing blue marlin to a million-dollar season, the story behind Tantrum’s unforgettable year in Kona

Rising participation, record payouts, and legendary performances highlight a transformative season as The Marlin Group ushers the HMTS into its next chapter
Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Marlin may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.
Copyright © 2026 Marlin. A Bonnier LLC Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Sign up for free Marlin Group emails to receive expert big-game content along with key tournament updates and to get advanced notice of new expeditions as they’re introduced.
Subscribe now to get seven keepsake print editions of Marlin per year, along with instant access to a digital archive of past issues, all for only $29 per year.