Fender Bender came out on top of a competitive 2026 Carolina Boat Builders Tournament, finishing with 450 billfish points and taking First Place Overall along with the tournament’s Winner Take All honors.
The 62-foot Spencer finished the event with one blue marlin and three sailfish releases, earning $64,750 in tournament winnings.
It wasn’t an uncontested run to the top.
Waymaker, an 86-foot Merritt, also finished with 450 points after releasing six white marlin. Waymaker took second place and $21,000, with Annah Petty earning Top Lady Angler honors.
Trophy Hunter, a 57-foot BC, rounded out the top three with 400 points after releasing one blue marlin and one sailfish. Trophy Hunter also captured the Day 3 Daily and finished with $50,000 in winnings.
2026 Carolina Boat Builders Tournament Top Three
- Fender Bender — 450 points — 1 blue marlin / 3 sailfish
- Waymaker — 450 points — 6 white marlin
- Trophy Hunter — 400 points — 1 blue marlin / 1 sailfish
The tournament fleet accounted for 49 billfish releases over the final two fishing days, including nine blue marlin, 13 white marlin and 27 sailfish.
More Than a Fishing Tournament
The Carolina Boat Builders Tournament is organized by the Dare County Boat Builders Foundation and celebrates the Outer Banks’ long connection to custom boatbuilding and offshore fishing.
Proceeds from the event support scholarships and educational programs for students in Dare County. The foundation reports awarding more than $1.5 million in scholarships to Dare County students since 2019.
That combination of competitive offshore fishing, North Carolina boatbuilding heritage and community support continues to make the Carolina Boat Builders Tournament a unique stop on the summer billfish calendar.
PointClickFish will continue following the North Carolina billfish tournament season with tournament coverage, results, videos and updates.
