Royal Jamaica Yacht Club, Mayberry set ambitious course

The Royal Jamaica Yacht Club (RJYC) is set to make waves in the sport-fishing community with the launch of the Mayberry/RJYC Marlin Tournament 2026.

Tournament organiser Brandon Samms has outlined an ambitious vision to transform the annual event, which has its berth in the at Palisadoes, into a premier fixture on Jamaica’s sport-fishing calendar, with the goal of rivalling the established tournaments in Montego Bay and Port Antonio.

Speaking about the tournament’s evolution, Samms emphasised a strategic shift aimed at elevating the Kingston-based event.

“We at the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club tournament are looking to improve our offerings,” Samms stated.

“Normally, because we’re in Kingston, it’s more focused on just the fishing, which is not as great as the north coast. But our new title sponsor, Mayberry, and their head, Chris Berry, believe that the fishing in Kingston is better than most people believe.”

The partnership with Mayberry Investments Limited marks a significant turning point for the tournament.

According to Samms, Berry is an avid angler who is passionate about promoting sport fishing in a fun and engaging way for both veteran fishers and younger participants.

Stepping stone

“This year will be the stepping stone. Next year will be bigger and better, and we hope to rival those of our peers in Montego Bay and Port Antonio,” Samms added.

The 2026 tournament is scheduled to run from Thursday, November 19, to Sunday, November 22, with the primary fishing days set for Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21. The invitational event is open to RJYC members and invited boats.

Organisers are targeting a fleet of between 10 and 20 boats, with entry set at $80,000 per vessel.

The prize fund, structured using a Calcutta-style format, starts with a guaranteed $1.8 million and is projected to grow to approximately $2.6 million if the full complement of 20 boats takes part.

Competition is expected to be keen, with all boats departing from and returning to the RJYC dock each day.

Anglers must return across the markers by 5 p.m., while the weigh station will close strictly at 5:30 p.m. The tournament will be governed by International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules, and billfish releases will be verified through video evidence.

A strong list of partners has already signed on to support the revamped event.

Mayberry leads the sponsorship line-up and is joined by SOPI, Assurance Brokers, Juici, Phoenix Printery, Pure National, Yamaja Engines Ltd, CFMoto Jamaica, Garmin Marine and renowned artist Carey Chen.

Organisers have also promised additional announcements in the coming months.

In a move intended to promote transparency and accountability, the RJYC has committed to publishing a comprehensive post-tournament report. The document will detail all funds raised and spent, catch statistics, and photographs of the winners, providing sponsors and participants with a complete overview of the event’s performance.

As organisers seek to establish Kingston as a major destination for sport fishing, dates for the 2027 edition are expected to be announced during this year’s awards dinner. Plans are expected to include a larger event featuring visiting crews and expanded partnerships.