The HMY Lowcountry Cup Returns — Bigger Competition, Greater Impact

The HMY Lowcountry Cup Tournament is back, and HMY is once again proud to lead one of the Southeast’s most exciting billfish tournaments. As a premier billfish tournament, the HMY Lowcountry Cup attracts top sportfishing teams whose skill and professionalism set a high standard both on the leaderboard and in responsible angling practices. Working alongside HMY is the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, which collects data on participants’ catches and releases, ensuring that each fish contributes to ongoing marine research, educational initiatives, and the long-term protection of our ocean resources.

The HMY Lowcountry Cup is part of the South Carolina Governor’s Cup series, which channels tournament efforts into meaningful outcomes for marine research, education, and ocean conservation. Every release logged and every data point collected helps scientists better understand billfish populations and protect vital ocean habitats. As part of the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series, the tournament contributes to one of the longest-running billfish data collections on the Atlantic coast. During the 2025 series, five tournaments drew a combined 195 boats and logged 377 fishing trips, resulting in more than 500 billfish releases. Sailfish accounted for nearly 80 percent of those releases, underscoring the strength of the region’s fishery and the importance of responsible catch-and-release practices. Last season, HMY topped the leaderboard with 39 blue marlin releases and the highest billfish-per-boat average (3.64), making the HMY Lowcountry Cup a must-fish tournament for teams seeking competition with a greater cause.

Teams fishing the HMY Lowcountry Cup can expect a well-run, high-energy tournament atmosphere, complete with professional oversight, organized events, and a community of anglers passionate about offshore fishing. From organized captains’ meetings to celebratory awards events, the tournament offers an atmosphere that reflects both the prestige of the sport and the passion of its participants.

With a strong turnout expected, now is the time to secure your place in this year’s competition. The HMY Lowcountry Cup continues to attract some of the finest boats and anglers in the region, making it an exceptional opportunity to compete, connect, and contribute.

 

Question on the 2026 HMY Lowcountry Cup? Visit our event page here, or please contact our Events Director, Carmela Ferreira, at cferreira@HMY.com or Desiree Freeman at dfreeman@hmy.com.

If you're new and want to see what our tournament is all about, you can watch the 2025 HMY Lowcountry Cup event recap here.

If you are looking for updates on more to come for the 2026 HMY Lowcountry Cup, follow us on Facebook and Instagram here: 

• Instagram: @hmylowcountrycup  

• Facebook: HMY Lowcountry Cup