Washington's Best Pacific Ocean Albacore Tuna Fishing Tournament in Ilwaco, Wa
Tournament Date
August 2, 2026
Tuna Fishings Entry Deadlines Details
Early Bird
Before June 15
$1,000
Deposit only – Enters you into drawing for $500 off entry fee
Standard Entry
After July 15
$5,000
Deposit only – Enters you into drawing for $500 off entry fee
Late Entry
July 16-29
$5,500
Entries Closed
August 1+
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Tournament Payout Structure
70% of entry fees paid out | Entry: $5,000 per boat (max 6 anglers)
Main Event Payouts
Side Pot Payouts (24% total)
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration & Entry
Saturday, August 2nd, 2025. Start time is 6:30 AM with check-in by 6:00 PM.
- June 15: Early Bird ($1,000 deposit enters you in drawing for $500 off)
- July 15: Standard entry ($5,000 full payment)
- July 16-29: Late entry ($5,500 with $500 late fee)
- August 1+: Entries closed
$5,000 per boat (max 6 anglers). This includes the main event and all side pots.
Download the PDF registration form above and follow the instructions.
Yes, the Captain from each team must attend the meeting at the Tuna Club on Friday, August 1st at 6:00 PM. All participants must sign a liability waiver.
Licenses & Requirements
All anglers must have a valid personal fishing license and comply with all Federal, State, and local fishing regulations.
Yes, all vessels will be inspected after the Captain’s Meeting. No fish can be stored in holds prior to tournament day. Violations result in immediate disqualification.
You must remove all fish from your vessel before inspection. The Ilwaco Tuna Club will provide fish totes for temporary storage.
Tournament Day
Boats stage south of the 2SJ Buoy, no further west than the 124 04 line. Roll call begins at 6:00 AM on Channel 11, with official start at 6:30 AM.
The Fort Canby Boat Launch demarcation line. All boats must cross by 6:00 PM.
No exceptions. Take a video of your chart plotter showing your location and time if crossing close to 6:00 PM deadline. Late boats cannot qualify for prizes.
VHF Channel 11. Also monitor USCG Channel 16 for safety.
No pre-event cancellation policy. A weather advisory will be sent Thursday at 3:00 PM. If canceled, the tournament moves to Sunday, August 3rd. If unable to run at all, entry fees minus $1,000 will be refunded (or applied to next year).
Fishing Rules
Maximum 6 anglers per boat. Charter captains and crew count toward this limit.
Only legal sport fishing with rods and reels. No snag hooks, gaff hooks, herring rigs, bow & arrow, jack poles, spears, or spotter planes.
No, unless there’s an emergency involving personal safety or property.
All tuna must be:
- Neck cut (NOT gill cut)
- Completely bled
- Placed in slurry
- Properly iced
- Kept cold until weigh-in
Important: Improperly handled fish will be disqualified. Fish with foreign items introduced will result in team disqualification and lifetime ban.
Weigh-In
Opens at 4:00 PM. Location announced at Captain’s Meeting. Teams line up in check-in order.
Your 5 heaviest albacore tuna.
Other tuna species count for the Pelagic side pot only, not the main albacore competition.
Yes, top 6 teams plus big fish and pelagic winners will have their fish gutted after weigh-in to verify no foreign items.
Yes, but you must request it immediately when the fish is being weighed. The weigh master’s decision is final.
Prizes & Payouts
70% of total entry fees. The club keeps 30% for event costs and community donations.
Blue Fin Tuna, Big Eye Tuna, Yellow Fin Tuna, Yellowtail, Jack, Marlin, Opah, Dorado, or Swordfish. No sharks allowed.
Funds go to local community charities via the Ilwaco Tuna Club.
Payouts distributed one week after tournament for confirmation and IRS documentation.
Winner determined by heaviest single fish. If still tied, second heaviest fish is used, then third, and so on.
Safety & Conduct
Disqualification from the event and possible elimination from future tournaments. All participants must conduct themselves with honesty and integrity.
Yes, submit before 7:00 PM on tournament day. The Executive Committee’s decision is final and binding.
Respect the NO WAKE zone at Fort Canby Boat Ramp and Coast Guard station. This means no wake, not just slowing down.
Yes, all anglers, crew, and guests must sign before participating.
Rules are subject to change. All participants agree to accept tournament rules and Executive Committee decisions.
