Article Courtesy: bluewatermovements.com | Originally Published: 2/2025 | Please click here for original article.
SAILFISH CHALLENGE SETS U.S. RECORD FOR THE MOST BILLFISH RELEASED IN A TOURNAMENT
The 22nd annual Sailfish Challenge delivered a record-breaking performance in Leg Two of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series, presented by Raymarine. Across two action-packed days, teams released an astonishing 1,467 sailfish, between a fleet of 61 boats, all vying for a piece of the $550,400 purse, setting a new U.S. tournament record for most releases. The tournament also rewrote history books on day one, with an unprecedented 912 sailfish released—the highest single-day total ever recorded in a tournament in the states.
SAILFISH CHALLENGE EVENT RECAP
The 22nd Annual Sailfish Challenge kicked off in style on February 19th with the Captain’s Meeting at Galuppi’s Restaurant & Sports Bar in Pompano Beach. Competing teams gathered for an evening of camaraderie, enjoying complimentary cocktails from Islamorada Brewery & Distillery, Papa’s Pilar, Josh Wines, and Landshark Lager, and a live musical performance from 2025 ‘The Voice’ contestant, Adam David, paired with a feast from Galuppi’s. Series sponsors—including Raymarine, Land & Sea Professionals, APH Marine Construction, and Cody’s Fish—were on hand, alongside tournament beneficiary The Billfish Foundation, setting the stage for an unforgettable competition.
February 21st and 22nd brought two intense competition days on the water, with teams battling for top honors in one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments. The week wrapped up in celebratory fashion on February 23rd, as the tournament’s best were honored at the grand awards ceremony at Galuppi’s. The event not only crowned champions but also reinforced its commitment to conservation, presenting The Billfish Foundation with a $5,175 donation—further solidifying the Sailfish Challenge as a tournament that blends fierce competition with a passion for protecting the sport’s future.
THE CHALLENGE RECAP
DAY ONE
The 22nd Annual Sailfish Challenge erupted into high gear on Day One, delivering non-stop action from the very start. By noon, an astonishing 447 sailfish had already been released, setting the tone for a historic day. As lines came out of the water, the final tally reached an unprecedented 912 releases, solidifying this event as one for the record books.
Pompano Beach’s hometown favorite, Native Son, wasted no time in making their mark. Aboard their Sea Vee 390z, outfitted with Raymarine’s state-of-the-art electronics, Captain Art Sapp and his team dominated early, releasing an impressive 33 fish before noon. They maintained their relentless pace throughout the day, finishing with 48 total releases—a performance that secured the Day One Early Bite Award, first place in both Tier One and Tier Two Daily Calcuttas, and an impressive $58,420 payday.
Hot on their heels was Sandman, captained by John Dudas. After securing their first release just after 10 AM, the team steadily climbed the leaderboard, releasing 12 sailfish by noon and 37 total by the end of the day. Their late surge earned them the Day One Late Bite Award and second place in both Tier One and Tier Two Daily Calcuttas, adding $27,460 to their winnings.
In third place Yamaha-Powered team, Res Ipsa Liquidur, captained by KC Spaulding, also made their presence known. Fishing aboard their Contender 44ST, they logged 30 releases, securing third place in the Tier One Daily Calcutta and $4,320 in winnings.
The Day One leaderboard rounded out with ‘23 and ‘24 Quest for the Crest Hall of Fame teams. Remix, captained by JC Cleare, and Liquidated, captained by Danny Clinton, fought tooth and nail for top positions. Remix, running a Contender 44ST equipped with Raymarine’s cutting-edge technology, finished in 4th with 29 releases, while Liquidated’s Sea Vee 390z closed out the day in 5th with 28 releases.
But the sailfish weren’t the only stars of the show. The meatfish division delivered big rewards, with Carolina Reel Men, led by Captain Sean O’Donnell, weighing in a 51.2-pound total, including a 26.7-pound tuna. Their haul secured first place in the Dynamite Daily Meatfish Calcutta and a $7,930 payout.
DAY ONE STANDINGS
Day One Leaderboard
1st – Native Son – 48 Points
2nd – Sandman – 37 Points
3rd – Res Ipsa Liquidur – 30 Points
4th – Remix – 29 Points
5th – Liquidated – 28 Points
Tier One Daily – 50/30/20 Split
1st – Native Son – 48 Points – $10,800 Payout
2nd – Sandman – 37 Points – $6,480 Payout
3rd – Res Ipsa Liquidur – 30 Points – $4,320 Payout
Tier Two Daily – 70/30 Split
1st – Native Son – 48 Points – $46,620 Payout
2nd – Sandman – 37 Points – $19,980 Payout
Dynamite Daily – Meatfish 70/30 Split
1st – Carolina Reel Men – Aggregate – 51.2 Points – $6,930 Payout
2nd – Reel Monkey – Aggregate – 44.1 Points – $2,970 Payout
DAY TWO
While the relentless bite of Day One set the stage for a record-breaking weekend, Day Two brought a shift in tempo—but not in intensity. With 555 sailfish releases logged by lines-out, the competition remained fierce as fresh contenders surged to the top, setting up a dramatic finale.
Starting the day at ninth place on the overall leaderboard, Living Water / Makin’ Time, led by Captain Alex Burgess, made their debut on the Quest for the Crest leaderboard. Fishing aboard their brand-new Sea Vee 450z, the team hammered down 12 releases by noon, clinching the Day Two Early Bite Award. They kept the momentum rolling through the afternoon, stacking up 15 more releases to bring their tournament total to 53 sailfish. Their dominant performance secured second place overall, a first-place finish in both Tier One and Tier Two Daily Calcuttas, and top honors in the Release Round-Up – Winner Take All Calcutta. Adding in second-place finishes in both the Leader’s Board and The Big Easy Calcuttas, the team walked away with an impressive $164,000 payout.
Also making an aggressive push on Day Two, Catch 23 / Sequentis, captained by Stetson Turney, delivered a consistent and calculated performance. With 20 releases added to their Day One total, they wrapped up the weekend with 48 releases, securing fourth place overall. Their persistence paid off, landing them second place in both Tier One and Tier Two Daily Calcuttas and a $28,960 payday.
The Day Two leaderboard saw Remix and Beast rounding out the top five, each finishing with 17 releases for the day. Remix, captained by JC Cleare closed out the weekend in fifth overall with 46 releases, for a weekend payout of $2,000. Meanwhile, Beast, led by Captain John Belansen, finished the weekend with 32 releases, securing first place in the Semi-Pro Division and taking home $2,500.
As the Sailfish bites lightened up, the meatfish bags got heavier. Leading the charge was Slob City, a 39’ Contender captained by Carl Torresson, with an impressive 138.7-pound haul of kingfish on Day Two. This performance earned them the top spot in the Meat Fish Aggregate and The Dynamite Daily Calcutta for a weekend payout of $9,430.
DAY TWO STANDINGS
Day One Leaderboard
1st – Living Water / Makin’ Time – 27 Points
2nd – Catch 23 / Sequentis – 20 Points
3rd – Native Son – 17 Points
4th – Remix – 17 Points
5th – Beast – 17 Points
Tier One Daily – 50/30/20 Split
1st – Living Water / Makin’ Time – 27 Points – $10,800 Payout
2nd – Catch 23 / Sequentis – 20 Points – $6,480 Payout
3rd – Native Son – 17 Points – $4,320 Payout
Tier Two Daily – 70/30 Split
1st – Living Water / Makin’ Time – 27 Points – $46,620 Payout
2nd – Catch 23 / Sequentis – 20 Points – $19,980 Payout
Dynamite Daily – Meatfish 70/30 Split
1st – Slob City – Aggregate – 138.7 Points – $6,930 Payout
2nd – Caught Slippin – Aggregate – 69.7 Points – $2,970 Payout
TOP TEAMS
Overall Leaderboard
1st – Native Son – 65 Points
2nd – Living Water / Makin’ Time – 53 Points
3rd – Sandman – 52 Points
4th – Catch 23 / Sequentis – 48 Points
5th – Remix – 46 Points
Highest Earnings
1st – Native Son – $213,175
2nd – Living Water / Makin’ Time – $164,000
3rd – Sandman – $58,420
4th – Catch 23 / Sequentis – $28,960
5th – Reel Em In III – $26,325
