Meet the Crew Behind the New River Speckled Trout Classic
A sit-down with Josh Crumpler, owner of Crumpler Marina, and weighmaster Mike Mattice
On November 7, Crumpler Marina hosts the first event of the New River Fishing Tournament Series, backed by the city’s tourism board Visit Jacksonville NC. We caught up with the two men pulling it all together to talk about why they’re doing it, what anglers can expect, and who made it possible.
“Hosting a series of fishing tournaments is a great way to highlight what a resource we have here in Jacksonville and Onslow County.”
Josh Crumpler
Josh Crumpler, Owner, Crumpler Marina
Josh, you’ve put a lot into Crumpler Marina. Why does the New River need its own tournament series?
Jacksonville is one of the very few waterfront communities that doesn’t have a lot of organized events on the river and the waterfront. Hosting a series of fishing tournaments is a great way to highlight how nice a resource we have here in Jacksonville and Onslow County. And since we purchased Crumpler Marina, we’ve been making a lot of additions, repairs, and improvements that we’re proud of. We want people to come see them.
What do you want anglers to feel when they pull in on tournament morning?
First, that this is a organized and well-run event. We’ve got great sponsors, great prizes, and a fun atmosphere everyone can enjoy. Weather permitting, anglers should feel like they’re in for a great day on the New River, departing right from Crumpler Marina. And when they get back, the weigh-ins should be a blast for the families and spectators.
Jacksonville is a fishing town and a military town. How does this series bring those folks together?
That’s key to everything in Jacksonville. We’re a military town, and just about everyone here is touched by that relationship. We’d love to see our Marines out on the water with us. This first event came together on short notice, so next summer’s New River Redfish Roundup is where we’re really hoping to see a lot of active-duty Marines from the bases nearby enter the tournaments.
Mike Mattice, Weighmaster
Mike, what’s your background, and what got you excited about this?
I’m originally from New York, but after the Marine Corps we liked the area and stayed, and that was over 40 years ago. I love fishing. I’ve fished tournaments for more than 25 years and spent about 7 years helping run them. I’m excited to have something like this in Jacksonville again, especially with how good this marina is shaping up to look. It’s going to be a great event.
What makes the New River so special for speckled trout?
Most people don’t know it, but the New River is one of the best speckled trout fisheries in the country. It rivals the best of Florida and Texas, and it has produced trophy trout pushing 30 inches.
Walk our first timers through the weigh-in.
Each team weighs its three best fish, following North Carolina one angler regulations. Here’s a key thing to know: teams that live-release their fish after weighing get an extra quarter pound added to their total for every released fish. I’ll have my official measuring board on hand too. The scale opens at 2:00 PM, and every boat must be back, checked in and in the weigh line by 3:30 PM. Each team usually takes 3 to 5 minutes to weigh, take photos and answer a question or two.
“The fishing is so good on this river, there’s no reason for it not to grow every year.”
Mike Mattice, Weigh-Master
Josh & Mike Together
The city’s tourism board Visit Jacksonville NC and local businesses are behind you. What does that support mean?
Mike: It’s been a few years since the Rotary held tournaments at the wildlife ramp, so this is big for the city and for getting the word out about the speckled trout fishing on the New River. And the marina sits right where anglers can run either direction to their favorite spots.
Josh: Honestly, we probably couldn’t have pulled this tournament off this year without the Visit Jacksonville NC and our sponsors. Med First Primary & Urgent Care jumped on board as soon as we presented the idea, and that’s what got this thing up and running on such short notice. Ray Properties, who’s presenting the Captain’s Dinner, immediately said yes. And LaPointe’s Automotive Solutions, our weigh-in sponsor, came on board soon after. All three are deeply involved in the Jacksonville community, and we’re proud to have them with us.
Where do you see the series in five years?
Josh: With the support of Visit Jacksonville NC, this is an annual event. We think it’ll grow every year, with bigger fields and bigger purses as entries increase.
Mike: The fishing is so good on this river, there’s no reason it shouldn’t grow every year, with more anglers and more sponsors.
What would you say to an angler who’s on the fence?
Mike: It’s as much a fun family event as it is a serious tournament, and anyone who enters has a shot at
winning. Even if you’re not on the water, there’s plenty going on at the marina: giveaways and door
prizes, a bouncy house for the kids, a DJ, and great food.
Last word: who do you want to thank?
Josh: Our sponsors, who jumped on board with very little notice. Med First Primary & Urgent Care, right here in Jacksonville, is our title sponsor, with LaPointe’s Automotive Solutions and Ray Properties right there with them. Sea Tow, Marine Federal Credit Union, Thomas & Horne Oil Co. and Live Where You Love Realty have all stepped up too. A big draw for families and spectators is JoeDeddy’s Bar & Grill, which is steaming a few thousand oysters on tournament day and catering our Captain’s Dinner the night before.
The city’s tourism board liked the idea of a twice-a-year event, so the New River Redfish Roundup comes every July starting in 2027. My contractor is pushing hard to finish the renovations here at the marina in time to host the Captain’s Meeting, along with the new covered deck behind the retail shop. That deck will be a huge bonus for this tournament and for our Boat Club members when we start hosting social events next spring.
But the biggest thank-you goes to the anglers and teams coming out to support us and fish the tournament.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
| Sponsor Level | Sponsor |
|---|---|
| Title Sponsor | Med First Primary & Urgent Care |
| Weigh-In Sponsor | LaPointe’s Automotive Solutions |
| Captain’s Dinner Sponsor | Ray Properties |
| Boat Captain Sponsors | Sea Tow · Marina Federal Credit Union · Bayshore Animal Hospital · Marine Chevrolet |
| First Mate Sponsors | Thomas & Horne Oil Co. · Live Where You Love Realty · West Marine · Land N Sea · Playhouse Nightclub · JOEMC |
| Event Partners | JoeDeddy’s Bar & Grill · Visit Jacksonville NC |
| Tournament | New River Speckled Trout Classic: Saturday, Nov 7, 2026 (rain date Sunday, Nov 8) |
| Captain’s Dinner | Friday, Nov 6, at Crumpler Marina, catered by JoeDeddy’s |
| Tournament day | Oyster roast & BBQ · DJ · bouncy house · giveaways & door prizes |
| Weigh-in | 2:00–4:30 PM, presented by LaPointe’s Automotive Solutions |
| Early pricing (ends Fri, Oct 30) | $150 per boat · $50 per kayak · Youth 15 & under fish free |
| Register | crumplermarina.com/fishing-tournament/ |