Ludington Lakeshore Classic Fishing Tournament registration open.

Ludington Lakeshore Classic Fishing Tournament registration open.

LUDINGTON — The Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Ludington Offshore Classic Fishing Tournament will return for its 20th year July 11-17. The tournament will include divisions for professionals, amateurs, ladies and youth. Registration is now open. The Offshore Classic Pro Division will pay $15,000 to the winner, and the Amateur Division will pay $7,500 (Payouts based on number of boat entries.)

The 2021 Ludington Offshore Classic saw over $86,000 in cash and prizes awarded among the top fishermen. While Thursday’s Ruboy Classic event was canceled due to inclement weather, the remainder of the tournament went off without a hitch, starting with the Big Boys event on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Elsie K was the big winner, winning $23,800. On day one, the crew brought in 11 fish for a total of 95 pounds, while day two was even better with 12 fish for a total of 134.5 pounds.

“It was definitely a good payout for sure,” said Elsie K captain, Gabe Graham. “This was our third win this summer with one coming in Wilson, New York at the Wilson Harbor Invitational on Lake Ontario and another in Manistee at the Budweiser Pro/Am. It is definitely a rush to win against some of the best captains on the lake. Ludington is a great place to fish and a great town. It’s a very well-run tournament and great payouts.”

Blue Fairways, a well-known name at the Ludington harbor, was the top boat in the Offshore Classic Pro Division, which earned it a $10,000 prize. The crew reeled in 12 fish on day one for a 159.9-pound box, and 12 fish on day two for a 188.55-pound box. 

“To win a tournament one needs to fish great but also have some luck,” said Greg Magee of the Blue Fairways crew. “The team put an amazing program together, and we continued to hit fish all day – having one of those epic second days all tournament fishermen dream of.”

This win was extra special, since Blue Fairways had previously won the women’s tournament, youth tournament, Ruboy Thursday and Big Boys, but had only finished in 2nd place three times in the Offshore Classic before their 2021 win.

“We felt very fortunate and blessed to win against the strongest field of fishermen on Lake Michigan,” said Magee.

2022 Events

Following a captains’ meeting on July 11, fishing begins at 6 a.m. July 12, with two days of competition in the Big Boys category. Big fish and big payouts are the name of the game during this high-stakes contest. 

The Ludington Legends Memorial Tournament  will be held Thursday, July 14. Boats at least 18-feet long are welcome to join in the fun and weigh their five best fish for the day. This minimal-rules event is designed to pay homage to departed fishermen who have given much to the local fishing community.

The ladies and kids will have their fun on Friday, July 15. Cash awards and a trophy are up for grabs in the Ladies Pro/Am Tournament. Ladies will weigh their five best fish, with no more than three of any one species being weighed. The Ladies Big Fish will pay out $500 in each division. The youth tournament welcomes kids 17 and younger to participate and weigh their largest fish for prizes. 

Pro/Am anglers  will take to the lake on Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17.  This event has been revamped to  offer over and above our traditional 100% payouts. The logistics will be much like the 2021 tournament with weigh-ins conducted in a drive-through fashion, and secret cooler and awards ceremonies held under the pavilion at Waterfront Park.  

“We invite fishermen and their families back to Ludington every year,” said Brandy Miller, president/CEO of the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce. “We think it’s a wonderful place for making memories not only on the lake, but also at our beaches, parks, museums and restaurants. This tournament is second to none on the Lake Michigan coastline.”

Register for the Ludington Offshore Classic at LudingtonTournament.com. 

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