Article overview: HMY Yacht Sales proudly hosted the 4th Annual HMY Lowcountry Cup Billfishing Tournament from May 27–30, 2026 at Toler's Cove Marina in Charleston, South Carolina. As the third l...
HMY Yacht Sales proudly hosted the 4th Annual HMY Lowcountry Cup Billfishing Tournament from May 27–30, 2026 at Toler's Cove Marina in Charleston, South Carolina. As the third leg of the South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series, the HMY Lowcountry Cup once again brought together elite sportfishing teams from across the region for three days of offshore competition, dockside camaraderie, and the kind of Lowcountry hospitality that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Photo Credit: SC Governor’s Cup & The Buckskin Billfish
HMY Yacht Sales proudly hosted the 4th Annual HMY Lowcountry Cup Billfishing Tournament from May 27–30, 2026 at Toler's Cove Marina in Charleston, South Carolina. As the third leg of the South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series, the HMY Lowcountry Cup once again brought together elite sportfishing teams from across the region for three days of offshore competition, dockside camaraderie, and the kind of Lowcountry hospitality that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
This year's tournament delivered moments that will be talked about for years to come, from a last-minute blue marlin hookup that had everyone listening at the radio to record-breaking participation across the fleet.
The Captain's Meeting
Photo Credit: SC Governor’s Cup & The Buckskin Billfish
The Captain's Meeting for the HMY Lowcountry Cup set the tone for an unforgettable tournament weekend, bringing together anglers, crews, and families for an evening of great food and live music. Guests enjoyed a standout performance by The Secret Ingredients, while The Fifth Street Group delivered a true taste of the Lowcountry with a spread featuring classic Lowcountry boil, red rice, flavorful sliders, and more. It was the perfect kickoff.
A Weekend That Found Its Legs
Photo Credit: Yacht Pics
Thursday opened under gray skies and steady rain, a slow start that tested the optimism of even the most seasoned crews. But the weekend had other plans. The weather broke, the bite turned on, and from there the tournament never looked back. With a record number of boat entries in 2026, the energy around the docks was impossible to ignore.
The Moment Everyone Will Remember
Saturday produced the kind of fishing story that's hard to script. With only minutes left on the clock, Game On made their call, hooked up on a blue marlin. Listening over the radio as the cockpit erupted in the background was electric. It was one of those pure moments that captures everything this sport is about: the adrenaline, the teamwork, and the joy of it all coming together at once.
2026 Lowcountry Cup Tournament Results
Photo Credit: SC Governor’s Cup & The Buckskin Billfish
Total payouts across all divisions reached $647,300, with standout performances from top to bottom of the leaderboard.
Overall Standings:
1st Place: Game On – 3,400 pts
2nd Place: Claytime – 3,000 pts
3rd Place: Rascal – 2,800 pts
Gamefish:
Wahoo 1st Place: Higher Limits (41.3 lbs)
Mahi 1st Place: Sportin' Life (53.3 lbs)
Tuna 1st Place: Maizey Blue (18.6 lbs)
Dolphin Jackpot: Rare Breed (37 lbs)
Female Billfish Release:
1st Place: Cynthia Starosta on Starfish (1,400 pts) – 1 Blue, 4 Sailfish
Youth Billfish Release:
1st Place: Reef Simmons on Rare Breed (600 pts) – 1 Blue Marlin
Top Male Angler:
Thomas Garmney – 3 Blue Marlin, 2 Sailfish
Photo Credit: SC Governor’s Cup & The Buckskin Billfish
Congratulations to all our 2026 Lowcountry Cup winners. Full leaderboards and tournament scoring can be viewed here.
A Healthy Offshore Fishery
The 2026 Lowcountry Cup produced some remarkable numbers offshore:
42 Blue Marlin Released
75 Sailfish Released
1 White Marlin Released
Those totals speak to just how healthy South Carolina's offshore fishery is right now and to the skill and dedication of the crews who put in the work to find them.
Photo Credit: SC Governor’s Cup & The Buckskin Billfish
Award Ceremony at Goldbug Island
The award ceremony wrapped up the incredible tournament week. Teams gathered once more to celebrate a great week of competition. With mouth watering BBQ from Three Forks BBQ & Catering to enjoying live music from the Jaykob Kendrick Band it was an amazing atmosphere to close the weekend off. We ended the evening with the presentation of awards and exciting raffle giveaways.
Off the Water: Food, Music & Dockside Community
Beyond the fishing, the atmosphere around Toler's Cove never missed a beat. Each night, the food was outstanding. Our vendors and food trucks went above and beyond to create a dockside experience that brought the whole community together after long days on the water. The Captains Meeting and Awards Ceremony, held at Goldbug Island, capped the weekend with well-earned recognition, great food, and the kind of camaraderie this tournament is built on.
Giving Back: SC Memorial Reef
This year's raffle charity supports the South Carolina Memorial Reef. An initiative that does something genuinely special, families can honor loved ones by incorporating memorials into artificial reef structures off the South Carolina coast, creating a living tribute that becomes part of the ocean floor. Over time, those structures grow into thriving habitats for marine life, making each memorial something that gives back long after it's placed.
We're proud to announce that this year's HMY Lowcountry Cup raised $6,000 to donate directly toward expanding those reefs and continuing the conservation work that makes the program possible. Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle and helped make this contribution happen!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
None of this is possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their commitment to the Lowcountry Cup is what allows us to continue building something that truly means something to this community, year after year. We are deeply grateful.
Thank You to Our Staff
A huge thank you to the entire HMY Lowcountry Cup staff for their hard work and dedication in making this incredible event possible, none of it could have happened without them.
Photo Credit: SC Governor’s Cup & The Buckskin Billfish
A Community Worth Celebrating
From seasoned tournament veterans to first-time participants, from youth anglers to longtime sponsors, the 2026 Lowcountry Cup was a reminder of what makes this event so special. We love this community, and we don't take lightly the opportunity to host something that brings so many people together around a shared passion for the water and the sport.
Watching it grow bigger and better every year is something we're genuinely grateful for.
Until next year, we'll see you on the water.
For more tournament photos and sponsor highlights, or to learn about HMY's upcoming fishing events, visit HMY.com.
Follow us for 2027 Lowcountry Cup updates: Instagram: @hmylowcountrycup | Facebook: HMY Lowcountry Cup
Questions? Contact our Tournament Director at dfreeman@hmy.com
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