2026 Information & History

SUMMARY: August 19-22, 2026: 23rd Annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament – an invitation only tournament with a focus on fun, conservation and charity. Eighty teams on average compete for a purse over $800,000. Call Paula for information at 757-652-8409 or email paula@vbbt.com; find details and a form to request to be added to the waiting list at www.vbbt.com.

DATES: Wednesday, August 19 – Saturday, August 22, 2026

HOST FACILITY: Southside Marina

LOCATION: Virginia Beach, Virginia USA

MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 568, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

SHIPPING ADDRESS: 200 Winston Salem Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

CONTACT: Paula Davis, Tournament Director

PHONE: 757-652-8409

FAX: 757-428-5935

EMAIL: paula@vbbt.com / fwm3650@gmail.com

WEBSITE: www.vbbt.com

ENTRY FEE: $10,500, $17,500 with optional entries

PURSE: over $800,000

ENTRY LIMITS: by invitation an average of 80 teams, open to both private and charter boats

TARGET SPECIES: blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, spearfish, tuna, dolphin and wahoo

FORMAT: modified release: 110” or 400 lb. minimum on blue marlin, release only on all other billfish species

ANGLING RULES: IGFA saltwater equipment and angling rules are followed with exceptions outlined in the rules

SANCTIONED BY: InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup

MAJOR CHARITIES SUPPORTED: Achievable Dreams and the Boys and Girls Club of Southside and Peninsula and The Billfish Foundation – see website for full list of charities

PUBLICATIONS: annual tournament program published by Liskey Printing, Norfolk, VA

History

History is updated after the tournament.

TOURNAMENT STARTED IN: 2004

FIRST YEAR STATISTICS: 42 teams, 231 anglers, $213,500 cash awards

2026 STATISTICS: 61 teams, 446 anglers, $943,450 cash awards

HIGHEST PURSE PAID TO DATE: $943,450 in 2023

HIGHEST PURSE PAID TO DATE TO A SINGLE TEAM: $500,600 in 2026 to Sarah Jean for 1st Place Team (released 1 verified blue marlin and 9 sailfish)

HIGHEST NUMBER OF BOATS PARTICIPATING TO DATE: 84 in 2022

BEST YEAR FISHING TO DATE: 2013 – 483 billfish released

OTHER: only six blue marlin have been weighed in the tournament’s history (2004, 2017, 2018 [2], 2022 [2])

DESCRIPTION: The VBBT is part of the Virginia Beach Billfish Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to giving back to the community through youth and marine related charities—over $1.5 million has been donated to date. Started in 2004 to highlight the often-overlooked fishing opportunities off Virginia Beach, the VBBT is the area’s best known big game fishing tournament with a focus on fun, conservation and charity. Over the years the tournament has become famous for its evening dock parties which feature 5-star dinners, a top shelf bar and rockin’ live music. An average of 80 teams compete for over $800,000 in cash awards each year, and in addition to Top Boat awards there are awards for Top Lady and Juniors plus some uniquely awarded cash prizes. The tournament is a family-oriented event, and many family activities are available in Virginia Beach.

Record Fish

Record Fish is updated after the tournament.

BLUE MARLIN (2017) — 801.0 lbs., Qualifier, 57 ft. Paul Mann
Capt. Fin Gaddy from Manteo, North Carolina USA; angler Craig Revere from Hartfield, Virginia USA

DOLPHIN (2009) — 52.1 lbs., Big Oh, 63 ft. Ricky Scarborough
Capt. Ronnie Fields from Lake Park, Florida USA; angler Tim Lanahan from North Palm Beach, Florida USA

TUNA (2008) — 147.7 lb. bigeye, Skirt Chaser, 54 ft. Buddy Cannady
Capt. Barry Daniels from Wanchese, North Carolina USA; angler Shane Moore from Jarrettsville, Maryland USA

WAHOO (2005) —77.8 lbs., Huntress, 59 ft. Ricky Scarborough
Capt. Bill McAllister from Richmond, Virginia USA; angler Preston Smith from Manakin, Virginia USA