FEBRUARY 18-22, 2026
APRIL 8-11, 2026
Quest or the Crest SCORING
SYSTEM
Presented in jacket form, the Crest is the most prestigious award in competitive sailfishing. It symbolizes achievement at the highest level in the sport. To don this coat of arms a team will have to perform at a high level across all legs in the series. The scoring format assigns a score based on where a team finishes in each tournament. A linear scoring system emphasizes performance and consistency, the benchmark of a true champion in any sport. The scoring format for the series is as follows:
If there is a tie based on the scoring system, the tiebreaker will be determined based on the total number of sailfish released by each team in the series. Who will be the next team to join this exclusive club of champions?
Series Sponsors
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FOR WHAT’S IN THE WATER
contenderboats.com
POWERED BY
ELIGIBLE EXCLUSIVELY TO BOATS THAT ENTER ALL THREE LEGS OF THE QUEST FOR THE CREST
No Gimmicks. No BS. This payout is in addition To the prize money offered in the general prize structure for Final Sail.
COME & GET IT!
JOLENE 2025 Series Champions
The Jolene team has been fi shing together for five years now, and winning the Quest was the culmination of all the hard work and dedication we’ve put in over the years, with a little luck on our side to make it happen. For me personally, winning the Quest series was by far the most challenging achievement in my fi shing career thus far.
– Captain Drew Rhonehouse
Champion’s story on next page
JOLENE 2025 Champions Story
Operation Sailfish
Having won Operation Sailfish back in 2022, we always look forward to heading up to Palm Beach for the event. Our usual routine is to bring the boat up from Key Largo on Tuesday before the tournament, spending the next two days fishing to get a feel for the conditions. This time, I had some solid intel that there had been a decent bite on Juno Ledge in the weeks leading up, so that’s where we focused our practice.
Pre-fishing paid off, and we had some good bites and felt confident in the area we’d been working, so that’s where we set up on Day One. About 15 minutes after lines in, Jordan Wolk spotted a free jumper to the south. We wound everything up and made the run to try and line up with the fish. With some luck on our side, we hit the fish on the head, so to speak, and hooked up on a double as we put the spread back out. That move kicked off our morning rally, landing seven of ten fish in the first two hours. After that, we picked off a couple of singles before heavy rain set in for a solid couple of hours. Once it cleared, we managed to get tight just before lines out, landing a double that brought us to 11 fish and secured a spot in the top ten after Day One.
On Day Two, we picked up three doubles by noon, putting us in first place with 17 releases. Then the wind swung hard to the west, and the bite all but shut down for the afternoon. We would’ve loved a couple more fish to pad our lead, but 17 held strong, and we closed out the day with our second set of dog tags and the victory.
Sailfish Challenge
Sailfish Challenge is exactly that: a challenge. With three inlets to choose from and such a large boundary, it’s always a mental Rubik’s cube deciding where to fish for this tournament. Most of the fish still seemed to be north of Hillsboro, so we made the call to head up to Palm Beach and fish out of Sailfish Marina.
On Day One, we pounded our way up toward Jupiter before lines in and fished there for about an hour, picking off one sailfish in less-than-ideal conditions. By 9am, word spread that Native Son was on a biomass of fish, so we picked up and ran south. We reached Boynton Inlet around 10:15. By then, Native Son already had 24 releases. At that point, we knew the fish were tailing, and when that happens, there’s no telling how many you can rack up
It was a true storybook ending for Team Jolene and a year we’ll never forget. 68 fish over six tournament days and the Burgundy Jackets to prove it!
in a short time, so we capitalized on the opportunity. As soon as we put the spread out, it was nonstop action for the next six hours. When the dust settled, we wrapped up Day One with 26 releases.
On Day Two, the current had died dramatically, but we managed to get on a small batch of fish early on and picked up six releases. After that flurry, most of the fleet jogged north while some boats ran all the way back down to Miami as the morning went on. Around 1pm, still stuck on six fish, we ran back down to the Martini Glass and found ourselves all alone. In the final few hours, we went 9 for 12 and wrapped up Day Two with 15 releases, finishing the tournament with 41 releases and 6th place overall.
Final Sail
Final Sail couldn’t come fast enough for us. We were holding a solid lead for the series, but it felt like a lifetime since we’d been stacking up releases in the Challenge. This Final Sail turned out to have the roughest conditions by far, compared to the conditions we saw in Legs One and Two, with southeast winds at 20 knots and strong current, which made for some seriously sporty conditions.
On Day One, we fished down below Fowey, picking away at a handful of fish, and released five sails by lines out. We were still leading the series at the end of the day, but our margin was starting to slip. While we obviously wanted to win Final Sail, chasing the series title had us looking at the scoreboard a little differently than most teams.
On Day Two, the plan was to get on the board early to protect our series lead, and we did just that with a couple of singles before 9:30. But as the morning wore on, the bites we were looking for never came. Around noon, we made a move north and ended up near Cape Florida, only to find grass everywhere and a blown out edge. We bounced around and missed three fish over the next couple of hours, watching our lead slip away.
With an hour of fishing left, we ran just south of Fowey and found a beautiful edge that had formed up. My wife, Brittany, kicked off our rally with a single at 3:30, then hooked a bluefin on the next drift, which we broke off right away. At 3:50, with ten minutes before lines out, we were down but not out. I looked down at the left short, did a double take, and saw two fish lying just below the herring with their sails up. The first one ate, and we were on a mission to get the release. I was convinced that fish would put us over the top, so when we touched the leader, the whole boat lit up with excitement. (Time of release 3:53)
After the release, I spun the boat to clear the spread, and as the right short skipped across the prop wash, the second fish, and our final release, came up and piled on the bait. We landed that fish at 3:55, five minutes before lines out, and sealed the deal as series champions.
It was a true storybook ending for Team Jolene and a year we’ll never forget. 68 fish over six tournament days and the Burgundy Jackets to prove it!
– Captain Drew Rhonehouse, Team Jolene
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SERIES AWARDS
WORLD CHAMPIONS
ELITE PERFORMANCE WORTHY OF ELITE RECOGNITION.
We are honored to be able to present the series champions with these amazing awards.
SIMMS Gear, official apparel sponsor of the Quest for the Crest, is honored to bestow the most prestigious award in competitive fishing to the world champions of sailfishing. The Crest symbolizes achievement at the highest level. Who will be the next to don the newest SIMMS Gear, emblem of sailfishing grandeur and the next to inscribe their name in the Quest Hall of Fame?
MASTER ANGLER
WHEN THEY ARE UP TO BAT, THEY DON’T STRIKE OUT. It’s a hard earned title and the master angler of the Quest series will be awarded with a beautiful piece to commemorate their achievement.
Presented by:
TOP CENTER CONSOLE
Presented by:
The top center console in the Quest for the Crest will receive a set of inline carbon fiber outriggers from GEMLUX, #1 manufacturer of marine hardware and carbon fiber fishing gear in the industry!
SERIES AWARDS
His & Hers Watches
Presented by:
His
AN ICONIC ACHIEVEMENT WORTHY OF AN ICONIC AWARD.
Courtesy of Altier Jewelers, the official jeweler of the Quest for the Crest, the top captain of the series will receive a Cartier watch to celebrate what is arguably the most prestigious award for a captain in the sport.
LADIES, DO WE HAVE SOMETHING AMAZING IN STORE FOR YOU!
It’s one of the most sought-after time pieces on the planet. Handcrafted by the foremost manufacturer of watches around the world. Patek Phillipe is the essence of artistry and elegance like none other in its category. As the emergence of female anglers becomes more prevalent in the sport, it only seemed fitting to look for a distinguishable way to celebrate that and encourage more females to do the same.
Courtesy of Altier Jewelers, the official jeweler of the Quest for the Crest, a Patek Phillipe Twenty~4 will be awarded to the Top Female Angler of the Quest for the Crest Series. Show the guys how it’s done ladies.
Drew Rhonehouse
Top Captain 2025
Team Jolene
Top Lady Anglers
Sandra MacMillan & Sarah Melia
A COMPLETE RAYMARINE ELECTRONICS PACKAGE
install valued at $40,000!
EVERY SAILFISH RELEASE RECORDED IN THE QUEST FOR THE CREST SAILFISH SERIES QUALIFIES AS ONE ENTRY FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN.
SOME DAYS REQUIRE MORE COMMITMENT THAN OTHERS SCAN
Registration Info
How To Register
Series Rules
GENERAL RULES
1. Registration: Visit fish.bluewatermovements.com to register online. Teams that wish to pay by check may do so by mailing the check to: Bluewater Movements, Inc., PO Box 50114, Lighthouse Point, FL 33074. Early entry for each event closes on the following dates:
Operation Sailfi sh: 1/2/26
Sailfi sh Challenge: 2/4/26
Final Sail: 3/25/26
All registration and calcutta payments must be complete by the conclusion of the kickoff party for each fishing tournament. For questions regarding registration call (954) 725-4010.
2. Entry Forms: Registration must be completed by the captain or owner with appropriate fees and registration information. Officials in each event reserve the right to refuse application or entry into the tournaments at their discretion with or without cause. General entry fees are not refundable for any reason.
3. Eligible Species: Sailfish, White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish, Tuna and Cobia.
4. Maximum Anglers: There is no limit on anglers. Additional crew members or mates may accompany the team if desired. Any teams with angler changes or substitutions should notify the committee prior to the start of fishing for each event.
5. Maximum Lines: All boats are permitted to fish up to seven lines in the water during each tournament.
6. Tackle: All fish must be caught on rod and reel. Wire lines are permitted. No electric reels except kite rods, dredges and downriggers. All teams must use a non-offset circle hook in the tournaments. The length of the leader may not exceed 15 feet. The combined length of the double line and the leader may not exceed 20 feet in length. 2 artificial or natural dredges are permitted in the tournaments. Dredges do not factor into your line count. Stinger rigs are permitted provided the hook is a circle hook.
7. Bait & Bait Fishing: Fishing with live bait is permitted in the tournaments; however, live chumming is not permitted. Frozen block chum is acceptable. No dead baits (whole or chunk) may be used for chumming. All boats in the tournaments are prohibited from having any boats outside the tournaments to chum on their behalf. Bait fishing is permitted at any time during the tournaments however, teams cannot fish for sailfish or meatfish at the same time they are bait fishing.
8. Hook & Catch: A hook and hand scenario is permitted in all Quest for the Crest tournaments. A hooked fish may be fought by multiple members of a team with no limit on the number of times a rod is passed from one angler to another. The use of a rod holder to hook and fight a fish is permitted.
9. Tournament Channel: The tournament channel may vary by tournament. The official channel will be announced at the captain’s meeting for each event. The tournament channel is reserved for specific announcements and the report of angler releases. All discussions among competitors should be conducted on alternate channels.
10. Boundaries:
Operation Sailfish: North: 27.15 South: 26.15 East: 79.22
Sailfish Challenge: North: 27.04 South: 25.28 East: 79.35
Final Sail: North: 26.16 South: 25.15 East: 79.37
11. Prize Structure: The general prize structure is based upon a participating field of 60 boats in each event.
12. Check-Out: There is not a land based checkout location for the tournaments. Prior to the start of fishing each day, all teams must video the time and their GPS coordinates to confi rm that they are within the stated boundaries for the tournament. Video must show time, date and GPS location. Boats may not deploy any lines in the water until they are within the stated boundaries.
13. Lines In/Lines Out:
Operation Sailfish: 8:00am & 4:00pm on January 16 - 17, 2026
Sailfish Challenge: 8:00am & 4:00pm on February 20 - 21, 2026
Final Sail: 8:00am & 4:00pm on April 10 - 11, 2026
14. Check-In:
Operation Sailfish: Media and release cards must be turned in at Sailfish Marina by 6pm each day.
Sailfish Challenge: Media and release cards must be turned in at Miami Beach Marina, Hillsboro Inlet Finger Docks or Sailfish Marina by 6pm each day.
Final Sail: Media & release cards must be turned in at Miami Beach Marina and Grove Harbour Marina by 6pm on Friday and 5:30pm on Saturday.
15. Changing Boats: The series points for the Quest reside with the registered boat and the owner of that boat. If a registered boat elects not to participate in the next leg of the series and other members of the team wish to continue forward on a new boat with those points, they may do so provided at least 3 of the original team members are on board the new boat and approval in writing has been provided by the owner of the original boat. However, points may not be transferred to another boat already competing in the series.
16. Weather: In the event that weather conditions arise deemed unsafe for the average registered boat, by the tournament officials, the tournament schedule at each event may be altered to accommodate the best weather & fishing conditions available to participating teams. Any schedule adjustment due to inclement weather will be made at the sole discretion of the tournament committee. Best effort will be made to achieve a 2 day fishing format on the scheduled weekend of the tournaments. In the circumstance, as determined by the committee, where 2 days of fishing may be unachievable, the tournament may be reduced to a one day format. Captains, anglers and all other members of registered boats must determine in their own judgment whether to fish under the given conditions based on factors including but not limited to the seaworthiness of their boat and their own seamanship.
17. Competition Day: Best effort will be made to ensure the full fishing schedule is met for each tournament in the series. At least 4 hours of tournament fishing must occur on any given day in order for the points from that day to be factored into the overall score and standings for each team. Should inclement weather or any other force majeure condition occur that limits the tournament to only 1 day of fishing during a tournament, the daily calcutta money allocated for the cancelled day will be returned to the teams that are registered for the affected calcutta. All other general prize and calcutta money will be paid according to standard procedure based on the standings from the modified fishing schedule.
18. Protests: All protests must be submitted in writing along with $500 cash or check to the tournament officials within two hours of the conclusion of the day of fishing. Protests should be made based on first hand eyewitness information. All decisions of the tournament officials regarding protests are final. All participants agree and acknowledge by their participation that this protest shall be the sole remedy for any and all disputes arising from the competition. In addition, all participants expressly waive their right to trial.
Series Rules
19. Polygraph: By entering any tournament in the series, all captains, anglers and occupants of their boats voluntarily consent to submit to a polygraph examination as deemed necessary by tournament officials. All decisions of the polygraph examiner will be fi nal. Any captain, angler or occupant of a registered boat who refuses to take a polygraph or provides untruthful answers as determined by the examiner will be disqualified from the tournament without further notice. Such a disqualification will eliminate payment or provision of any prize money, awards and/or refund of entrance fees.
20. Tournament Discretion: The tournament director reserves the right to implement his or her discretion at any time during the tournaments as it may apply to the rules or any other circumstance that should arise during the course of an event in the series.
21. Release: All registered captains, anglers and occupants of their boats consent that tournament officials may use without payment or restriction, any photographs or video in which he or she appears for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to resale, advertising and promotional material.
22. Hold Harmless: It is expressly understood that all registered participants and non-registered occupants of their boats enter into the events in the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series voluntarily and at their own risk. Further, each registered and non-registered participant on behalf of other family members and/or executors agrees to release and hold harmless Bluewater Movements Inc, its officers, directors, owners, members, representatives, agents, employees, independent contractors, volunteers, promoters, advertisers, sponsors, partners, joint ventures, affiliates, assigns, polygraph examiner, the city and county where the events are held and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of any event in the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series (collectively, “Released and Indemnified Parties”) from any and all claims, losses, damages, demands, causes of action, suits and liabilities of every kind arising out of, related to, or resulting from the tournament, activity or event, including but not limited to all events in the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series, including without limitation, any claim for loss, damage or destruction of property, or injury (including death), regardless of whether such loss arises in whole or in part from the negligence of any Released and Indemnified Party. This release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as possible under applicable law, and if any portion of this release is held invalid or unenforceable, the balance shall continue in full force and legal effect. Jurisdiction over the tournament shall be exclusively that of the tournament director. All parties agree to be bound by the tournament director’s decisions without exception.
23. Agreement: By registering for a tournament, the captain and/or owner agrees that all anglers and occupants of their boat will abide by all tournament rules.
COMPETITION RULES
24. Scoring: Billfish Points - Registered anglers will receive 1 point for each eligible billfish released in the tournament. All team prize categories will be awarded based on the team’s overall point standings. In the event of a tie, winners will be determined by the team or individual that releases their last fish first. Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish, Tuna & Cobia Points - These species must weigh a minimum of 10 pounds to be eligible in the tournaments. Each fish meeting weight requirements will be given a score of one point per pound. These points will not be included with points awarded for billfish releases when determining the top team standings. For available prize money in the meatfish division, see the general and optional entry prize structure for each event. Mutilated fish will be disqualified. All decisions of the weighmaster are fi nal. (4) Meatfish eligible to be weighed per day.
25. Semi-Pro Category: There is a semi-pro prize category in each leg of the series. To qualify for this prize money, the following criteria must be met. Criteria 1: Two or fewer paid crew members on board (including captains, mates, and anglers). Criteria 2: There can not be anyone on board that has placed in the top 8 of a Quest for the Crest tournament within the past 8 years.
26. Billfi sh Release Criteria: All billfi sh in each event must be properly released in order for a point to be scored to the registered angler and his or her team. The requirements for a release are as follows: (1) The double line and leader must leave the tip of the rod once a strike occurs, unless they have already exited the tip of the rod. (2) At the conclusion of the fi ght the fi sh must be brought close enough to the boat for a mate or crewmember to touch the leader, not the double line. (3) In a continuous sequence, video footage must clearly identify the fi sh as well as the leader touch by a crew member. (4) Evidence on video of the leader being cut at the time of release. (5) The proper color card and confi rmation # should be displayed on video to mark the completion of a catch.
27. Video Requirement: Every billfi sh released in the tournament must be verified by video footage clearly identifying the release. Each team is responsible for providing their own video camera and the appropriate media to record video footage that documents the releases on their boat. Video media will not be provided to teams by the tournament committee. Acceptable video formats are SD cards only. The fi rst video clip to be shot by all teams should be of time, date and GPS location at the start of fi shing. If you fill your fi rst video and need to switch to a 2nd video during fi shing please contact the radio room for an establishing shot to begin your video. A secondary video source is highly recommended.
28. Continuous Video Sequence: To ensure the authenticity of the releases, each team will be required to maintain a continuous video sequence from the time video evidence of the fi sh is established up to the time that the leader touch and cut is verified on video. If a break in the footage should occur, the team must reestablish video evidence of the fi sh again with a continuous video sequence up to the leader touch and leader cut.
29. Break Image: Once a release has occurred, the captain must contact the radio room for a confi rmation # and instructions on which color card to shoot in order to complete the release on video. If a team is hooked up to multiple fi sh, a crewmember should state that on camera with video evidence to support it. In the case of a multiple, if necessary, one color card can be used for the break image, provided the video evidence can clearly distinguish multiple sailfi sh and anglers fi ghting those fi sh and the necessary criteria referenced above for qualification of the release on video.
30. Release & Catch Verification: All billfi sh releases must be reported to the tournament committee immediately following the release. Individuals calling in a release must include the boat number and angler name in their report. A release will be official once the radio controller responds to the respective angler with a confi rmation number and color. That confi rmation number and color should be recorded on the registered angler’s release card. Any boat unable to contact the committee should contact another boat for a relay. A tournament cell phone # will also be provided to teams at each Captain’s meeting. Boats that intend to fi sh in areas with poor cell phone coverage are still responsible for maintaining communication with the tournament committee on all releases.
31. Winnings: All winners are required to complete a W9 form prior to receiving any awards for each tournament. Awards and prize money will be withheld as required by law if a W9 form is not presented in advance of the awards presentations.
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JANUARY 14 - 18, 2026
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
HOSTED BY: TO BENEFIT:
– CAPT. DREW RHONEHOUSE, JOLENE
We didn’t win any daily money, but we were able to post good enough numbers on both days to win the whole thing. Consistency is the key to success, and to win this tournament a second time against the best in the business is truly a humbling experience. “Take a Hero Fishing” is also something we look forward to. It is a great way to kick o the tournament week, and we can’t wait to do it again in 2026!
Adams, Tyler Valles, Eric Fillyaw, Jordan Wolk, Tommy King, Dick Ruble, Rodney Armstrong, Sawyer Henderson
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PRE-REGISTRATION
EARLY ENTRY
$1,200 per team (plus tax) Ends: 1/2/26
LATE ENTRY
$1,700 per team (plus tax) After: 1/2/26
KICKOFF PARTY
ONLINE
(Primary Method) fish.bluewatermovements.com
BY MAIL, SEND CHECK TO Bluewater Movements, Inc. PO Box 50114 Lighthouse Point, FL 33074
*Must be postmarked by 1/2/26
WHERE // Sailfish Marina Resort 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL 33404
TIME // 7:00pm to 10:00 pm
CAPTAIN’S MEETING // 7:30pm
Late Registration // Vendor & Sponsor Displays Auction // Opening Ceremony & USA Military Salute
TAKE A HERO FISHING DAY
8:00am Lines In 2:00pm Lines Out
NO CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT KICKOFF PARTY. Cash, Visa, Mastercard, AmEx Only.
3:00pm Cocktail Reception 3:30pm Awards Ceremony
8:00am Lines In 4:00pm Lines Out 5:30pm HAPPY HOUR (Saturday)
6:00pm Deadline to turn in release cards & media
AWARDS CEREMONY
10:00AM - 12:00PM
WHERE Sailfish Marina Resort 98 Lake Drive
Palm Beach Shores, FL 33404
SCHEDULE
10:00am Breakfast
11:00am Awards Ceremony 11:30am Closing Ceremony
All Registration and Calcutta payments must be made by close of kicko party. FOR UPDATES FOLLOW US: facebook.com/fishbluewater @fishbluewater
Help us support our military heroes with a memorable day of fishing and a celebration of their service to our country!
THURSDAY
Sailfish Division
TEAM DIVISION
TOP TEAM $18,000 & CHAMPION’S DOG TAGS
2nd Place
$10,000 & Trophy
3rd Place $4,500 & Trophy
4th Place
5th Place
$2,500 & Trophy
$2,000 & Trophy
HEAVIEST FISH DIVISION
Optional Entry
Small Boat Stash
(Eligible to boats 37’ and under) Entry fee is $500 per boat. Prize money is based on 9 registered boats.
Sporty Calcutta
$21,600 (Inboard powered sportfish boats only) Entry
Leader’s Board
The Big Easy
Self Centered
WINNER TAKE ALL \\ $10,350
(center consoles only)
Entry fee for this division is $500 per boat. Prize money is based upon 23 registered boats.
Release Round Up
WINNER TAKE ALL
$28,800
This optional entry category is divided into 4 rounds over 2 days of fishing. Numbers ranging from 1 to 5 will be drawn from the sealed container during each round of fishing. That number will determine the minimum number of sailfish that must be released to move on to the next round. Drawn numbers can only be used once. A team must advance through all 4 rounds in order to win the pot. In the final round, should multiple boats release the required number of fish, the team that releases the most fish in that round will win. Ties determined by whichever team released last fish first. If no winner, pot rolls over to next leg of the Quest series. Entry fee is $1,000 per boat.
Tier 1 Daily
Tier 2 Daily
*For all calcuttas, prize money will increase or decrease based on number of boats entered. Amounts shown are estimated based on past participation.
Eligible species are dolphin, wahoo, tuna, kingfish, and cobia. Entry fee is $1,000 per boat. Prize money is based upon 28 boats. A maximum of 4 fish may be weighed in each day.
for the
Awarded for the heaviest three fish weighed in the tournament. Eligible species are dolphin, wahoo, tuna, kingfish, and cobia. Entry fee is $500 per boat. Prize money is based upon 35 registered boats.
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FEBRUARY 18-22, 2026
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
Bene tting
Hosted By
SAILFISH CHALLENGE
A US Record is Set
Once
in a Blue Moon…
…near-perfect conditions align during the peak of billfi sh season to ignite a bite that fi shermen will remember for a lifetime. On an even rarer occasion, when the planets align and that blue moon bite falls on tournament day, it’s a thing of every angler’s dream.
January 2012, during the West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s 75th Anniversary of the Silver Sailfish Derby, marked the last convergence of near-perfect conditions on tournament day. My memory of that weekend is as sharp today as it was then. I recall chatting with Captain Jamie Ralph about the front pushing through on the night of the kickoff party. We tried our best to manage expectations about how real the bite could be, but with the weather forecast predicting cold temps, a hard north wind, and a strong north current, we both knew that all signs pointed to a bite like the ones we’ve dreamt about. Those dreams became reality when 46 teams released 659 fish on Day 1 and a total of 1,174 over the three-day tournament, a new U.S. record.
The Silver Sailfish Derby held that honor for 13 years, but no record lasts forever, and each one sets the stage for a greater one to
make history. On February 20, 2025, that stage had finally been set for a spectacle at sea. Weeks of southeasterly winds gave way to a strong front, bringing a stiff north wind, a favorable north current, and clean water the day before the 22nd Annual Sailfish Challenge, Leg 2 of the iconic Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series. With conditions expected to peak on Day, I couldn’t help but wonder if another ‘Derby Day’ moment was about to line up for the ‘Challenge’.
Only eight minutes into Day 1, we got our answer. Captain Art Sapp of team Native Son called in to record his team’s first release, and before we could end the call, he said, “I’ll call you right back. We’ve got a bunch more on. You’re gonna be busy today.” He wasn’t wrong. Within the first hour, Native Son had already released nine fish. By 10 AM, their tally had climbed to 21. While Native Son was racking up releases left and right, the rest of the fleet scrambled
to figure out where he was, because it was clear he was sitting on a biomass of fish feeding like carnivores.
Shortly after, the radio room exploded with calls. The fleet had finally found Captain Art off Delray Beach, and at that moment, we knew exactly what we were in for. From then on, nonstop calls poured in over committee cell phones, while other captains stacked up on hold over the VHF. Pure pandemonium was the only way to describe it. While it would have been nice to imagine how special it would be to experience a day like this on the water, there was simply no time for us to think about anything other than the short list of words spoken through the phones on repeat like a broken record.
“Go ahead for committee, please hold.” Go back to the first Call. “Go ahead for committee. Boat number? Angler name?”
Followed by, “Your confirmation number is…” and “Your color code is…”
Thankfully, my team and our system were built for exactly that scenario and looked and sounded a lot more like a reliable, welloiled machine than a broken record. And to the fleet’s credit, they became much more efficient getting their releases called in under the rapid fire pace that continued all day long.
When the dust finally settled on Day 1, Native Son stood tall with 48 releases, followed by Sandman with 37 and Res Ipsa Liquor with 30. The numbers were staggering: 912 sailfish released in a single day, a blistering pace equaling a release every thirty seconds.
The scene at the inlet was like stepping into history as it was being written. Watching one by one as boats rolled in with riggers strung high, flags whipping in the wind like victory banners. A living testament to the magnitude of what had just unfolded.
I couldn’t help but beam with pride for our teams, for my crew, and for the sport we all love. History had been made. A new singleday U.S. tournament record was in the books. Still, one question lingered. Would the bite hold?
After reviewing release footage from Day 1 into the early hours of the morning, I could only imagine how scarce sleep was for most crews as it was for us on the eve of Day 2. Tossing and turning, restless with anticipation of what might be waiting for them at first light. A subtle shift in the wind
sparked speculation over whether the bite would adjust with it. For Living Water/Makin Time, the answer was yes. After a late start on Day 1 that left them in 9th, Captain Alex Burgess rolled the dice and pushed north at daybreak. It was a bold move, and it hit big. 27 releases later, they owned the Day 2 daily.
While the bite off Delray tapered slightly on Day 2, the action to the north and south picked up. Captain Stetson Turney kept his Catch 23 crew on the fish up north, releasing 20 for 2nd on the day, while Native Son found their bite to the south off Miami, adding 17 more releases to secure 3rd.
When it was all over, with 65 releases, Native Son stood at the top of the leaderboard, while Living Water/Makin Time and Sandman surged into the mix with 53 and 52, respectively, to round out the top three. Day 2 added 555 releases to the tally, and combined with the 912 from Day 1, the total soared to 1,467. The most ever recorded in the history of any U.S. billfish tournament. The numbers were almost hard to comprehend. For 16 straight hours of fishing, the fleet averaged 1.5 releases every single minute.
Even now, words fall short of what I felt when I finally stopped to take it all in. It was pure euphoria, followed by deep gratitude for the chance to stand inside a moment that will live in the history of our sport and our industry. After three decades committed to raising competitive fishing to its rightful place as a recognized sport, I am filled with immense pride, not just for the record, but for my team. Their tireless work to produce the highest-quality events in the industry had been rewarded with a bite and a tournament that will go down in history.
A commemorative shirt has been created to celebrate the historic moment at the 2025 Sailfish Challenge. They will be available for purchase online and at the tournaments for anyone who wants a keepsake to honor a memory that will live on forever. I am eternally grateful to my entire Fish Bluewater team, our Sailfish Challenge crews, and the sponsor partners who helped make this an experience we’ll never forget. Here’s to seeing what 2026 has in store! – Jamie Bunn, Director co-authored by Chris Caravello
2025 Results
We’re honored to have been part of a record-setting tournament! The day went by so quickly that we didn’t know how well we were doing until the day was over. I never dreamed of being part of a tournament that was that amazing. – CAPT. ART SAPP, NATIVE SON
James DeMarco, Jim Steel, Mike Gulla, Steve Dougherty, Jim DeMarco, Bernard Paul-Hus, Jay Jones, and Chris Kniskern
Photo courtesy of Antonio Amaral
Event Schedule
EARLY ENTRY
$1,200 per team (plus tax) Ends: 2/4/26
LATE ENTRY
$1,700 per team (plus tax) After: 2/4/26
KICKOFF PARTY
ONLINE (Primary Method) fish.bluewatermovements.com
BY MAIL, SEND CHECK TO Bluewater Movements, Inc. PO Box 50114 Lighthouse Point, FL 33074
*Must be postmarked by 2/4/26
WHERE // Galuppi’s 1103 N. Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
TIME // 7:00pm to 10:00 pm
CAPTAIN’S MEETING // 7:30pm Late Registration / Vendor & Sponsor Displays Auction
Hosted by:
NO CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT KICKOFF PARTY. Cash, Visa, Mastercard, AmEx Only.
All Registration and Calcutta payments must be made by close of kicko party.
8:00am Lines In 4:00pm Lines Out 6:00pm Deadline to turn in release cards & media
11:30AM - 1:30PM
WHERE Galuppi’s
1103 N. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, FL 33062
SCHEDULE
11:30am Brunch 12:30pm Awards Presentations
FOR UPDATES FOLLOW US: facebook.com/fishbluewater @fishbluewater
2nd
3rd Place
4th
5th
SEMI PRO DIVISION
High Roller’s Club
Leader’s Board
Small Boat Stash
Sporty Calcutta
Self Centered
This optional entry category is divided into 4 rounds over 2 days of fishing. Numbers ranging from 1 to 5 will be drawn from the sealed container during each round of fishing. That number will determine the minimum number of sailfish that must be released to move on to the next round. Drawn numbers can only be used once. A team must advance through all 4 rounds in order to win the pot. In the fi nal round, should multiple boats release the required number of fish, the team that releases the most fish in that round will win. Ties determined by whichever team released last fish fi rst. If no winner, pot rolls over to next leg of the Quest series. Entry fee is $1,000 per boat.
Big Fish Bonanza
WINNER TAKE ALL \\ $15,750
Awarded for the single heaviest fish. Eligible species are dolphin, wahoo, tuna, kingfish and cobia. Entry fee is $500 per boat. Prize money is based upon 35 registered boats.
1st Place.
2nd Place
Dynamite Daily
per day
$2,970 per day
Eligible species are dolphin, wahoo, tuna, kingfish, and cobia. Entry fee is $1,000 per boat. Prize money is based upon 22 registered boats.
The Big Three
$3,645 3rd Heaviest Fish
$2,430
Awarded for the heaviest three fish weighed in the tournament. Eligible species are dolphin, wahoo, tuna, kingfish, and cobia. Entry fee is $500 per boat. Prize money is based upon 27 registered boats.
TEAMS WILL BE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED BY COIN COLOR AND BATTLE TOGETHER TO SEE WHICH COLOR GROUP RELEASES THE MOST SAILFISH IN THE TOURNAMENT!
1ST PLACE COMMEMORATIVE COIN FOR WINNING TEAMS
GROUP COMPETITION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME IN THE COIN CHALLENGE!
APRIL 8-11, 2026
COCONUT GROVE, FL
TO BENEFIT:
1.
1.
– NOAH GAUDET, OWNER
“Fishing Final Sail and walking away with both the daily and overall win was an absolutely surreal experience. This was our very first tournament, and after setting the bar this high, we’re beyond excited to come back next year and fish the entire series. Fish Bluewater puts on an incredible tournament, and we’re truly grateful for their hospitality and for welcoming us into the community.”
Noah Gaudet, Drew Gaudet, Paul Abiri, Sam Netkin, Matthew Santo, Johnny Vilorio, Dylan Wheeler, Danny Perez
“Fishing in the rough conditions was tough but our team was able to stay focused on the baits, make our bites count and fish e ectively throughout the two days. Although many of the people on our team had never fished with each other, communication and teamwork was key to our success. It’s truly surreal and a honor to win a tournament with this much competition, and we are extremely excited for the upcoming season!”
– Tyler Walsh,
Captain
EARLY ENTRY
$1,200 per team (plus tax) Ends: 3/25/26
LATE ENTRY
$1,700 per team (plus tax) After: 3/25/26
KICKOFF PARTY
ONLINE (Primary Method) fish.bluewatermovements.com
BY MAIL, SEND CHECK TO Bluewater Movements, Inc. PO Box 50114 Lighthouse Point, FL 33074
*Must be postmarked by 3/25/26
WHERE // Shake a Leg Marina 2620 S Bayshore Dr, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
TIME // 7:00pm to 10:00 pm
CAPTAIN’S MEETING // 7:30pm
Late Registration / Food, Hospitality Bar Auction / Vendor & Sponsor Displays
NO CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT KICKOFF PARTY. Cash, Visa, Mastercard, AmEx Only.
All Registration and Calcutta payments must be made by close of kicko party.
FOR UPDATES FOLLOW US: facebook.com/fishbluewater @fishbluewater 8:00am Lines In 4:00pm Lines Out
- 6:00pm Deadline to turn in release cards and media Saturday - 5:30pm Deadline to turn in release cards and media
8:00PM - 11:00PM
WHERE Bayshore Club 3391 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133
SCHEDULE
8:00pm Cocktail Reception 9:00pm Dinner 10:00pm Awards Presentation
GET IN THE GAME
Open to any team fishing an established tournament in 2026
Massive winner-takes-all jackpot to the heaviest blue marlin
Honored as Achievement of the Year in MARLIN
Jackpot entry of only $2,000 per team
Ready to Join the Hunt?
TEAM DIVISION
TOP TEAM: $18,000 & TROPHY
2nd Place
3rd Place
4th Place
5th Place
$10,000 & Trophy
$4,500 & Trophy
$2,500 & Trophy
$2,000 & Trophy
* Based on number of boats entered in tournament
8:00am – 12:00pm
8:00am – 12:00pm
Find your groove in the 1st or 2nd half of each competition day and your team could earn some bonus prize money!
SEMI PRO DIVISION
1st Place
* See rules for eligibility requirements
SMALL BOAT DIVISION
1st Place
3rd Place
* Eligible to boats 37 feet and under
1st $50,000 2nd $30,000 3rd $20,000
Fish for Charity
Small Boat Stash
Sporty Calcutta
Leader’s Board
Entry fee for the Leader’s Board is $1,000 per boat. Prize money is based upon 29 registered boats.
Self Centered
WINNER TAKE ALL \\ $8,550
(center consoles only)
Entry fee for this division is $500 per boat. Prize money is based upon 19 registered boats.
Release Round Up
WINNER TAKE ALL
$70,200
This optional entry category is divided into 4 rounds over 2 days of fishing. Numbers ranging from 1 to 5 will be drawn from the sealed container during each round of fishing. That number will determine the minimum number of sailfish that must be released to move on to the next round. Drawn numbers can only be used once. A team must advance through all 4 rounds in order to win the pot. In the final round, should multiple boats release the required number of fish, the team that releases the most fish in that round will win. Ties determined by whichever team released last fish first. If no winner, pot rolls over to next leg of the Quest series. Entry fee is $1,000 per boat.
The Big Easy
Tier 1 Daily
Tier 2 Daily
*For all calcuttas, prize money will increase or decrease based on number of boats entered. Amounts shown are estimated based on past participation.
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