PRICELESS: 23RD ANNUAL SAILFISH CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 2026
THREE INLETS, TWO DAYS, ONE CHAMPION: STRATEGY AND CONSISTENCY DEFINE THE LEADERBOARD
Widely regarded as the turning point of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series presented by Raymarine, Sailfish Challenge is where teams either cement their run for the SIMMS Burgundy Jacket or watch it slip away. In fitting fashion, the 23rd Annual Sailfish Challenge delivered a true “South Florida Classic.”
Prime conditions and consistent bites, with fish spread out across the boundary, highlighted the defining characteristics of the tournament’s signature three-inlet format, rewarding the most audacious and battle-tested teams in the fleet. By the end of two days, 358 sailfish had been released by a tournament-record fleet of 62 boats, all chasing their piece of a $545,450 purse.
SAILFISH CHALLENGE EVENT RECAP
The 23rd Annual Sailfish Challenge officially kicked off on February 18th with the Captain’s Meeting at Galuppi’s Restaurant & Sports Bar in Pompano Beach. Competing teams gathered for an evening of camaraderie ahead of two days of competition. Guests enjoyed complimentary cocktails from Islamorada Brewery & Distillery and Josh Wines, live music from The Holidazed, and dinner from Galuppi’s. Series sponsors, including Raymarine, Land & Sea Professionals, APH Marine Construction, and Yamaha Outboards, were in attendance, along with tournament beneficiary The Billfish Foundation, setting the stage for one of the season’s premier events.
The week concluded on February 22nd with the awards ceremony at Galuppi’s, where the tournament’s best were honored. In addition to crowning winners, the tournament reinforced its commitment to conservation by presenting a $5,850 donation to The Billfish Foundation, further solidifying the Sailfish Challenge as a tournament that blends competition with a passion for protecting the sport’s future.
THE CHALLENGE RECAP
DAY ONE
Day One delivered classic February ‘South Florida’ conditions with steady action from lines-in to lines-out, and no room for error for teams vying for top spots on the leaderboard. The bite came in consistent waves throughout the day, rewarding teams that stayed patient and capitalized on their opportunities with 208 sailfish releases recorded across the fleet.
Valhalla 55, led by Capt. Alex Hausman set the tone early and woke up the leaderboard with nine releases before noon for a strong fourth-place showing. Close behind in fifth was Old No. 7, led by Capt. Jamie Ralph, who found seven sailfish throughout the day. In third place, Yamaha-powered team Goin’ Raptor, captained by Paul Sabayrac aboard their 39’ Contender, tallied 10 releases, good enough to secure third in the Day One Tier One Daily and a $4,500 daily payday.
Coming in second on Day One, Off The Wall, led by John Anderson and captained by Ray Rosher on their Contender 44ST came out strong with 10 releases before noon and added three more in the afternoon to finish with 13 points. Their early push earned them the Day One Early Bite and second-place finishes in both the Day One Tier One and Tier Two Daily Calcuttas, totaling $26,650 for the day.
And in first place, after a quiet two-fish morning, Sandman, led by Capt. John Dudas climbed to the top of the leaderboard with a consistent series of singles and doubles, pushing them to 13 releases by lines-out, tying Off The Wall on points, but taking first place by time of last release. Their effort secured the Day One Late Bite along with first-place finishes in the Day One Tier One and Tier Two Daily Calcuttas, resulting in a $56,350 daily payday.
At the scales in the meatfish division, Out4Ya / Gill Media, led by Ted Woolridge aboard their 39’ SeaVee, weighed a 129.3-pound aggregate to win the Dynamite Daily Meatfish Calcutta and secured a $8,820 daily payday.
DAY ONE STANDINGS
Day One Leaderboard
1st – Sandman – 13 Points
2nd – Off The Wall – 13 Points
3rd – Goin’ Raptor – 10 Points
4th – Valhalla 55 – 9 Points
5th – Old No.7 – 7 Points
Tier One Daily – 50/30/20 Split
1st – Sandman – 13 Points – $11,250 Payout
2nd – Off The Wall – 13 Points – $6,750 Payout
3rd – Goin’ Raptor – 10 Points – $4,500 Payout
Tier Two Daily – 70/30 Split
1st – Sandman – 13 Points – $44,100 Payout
2nd – Off The Wall – 13 Points – $18,900 Payout
Dynamite Daily – Meatfish 70/30 Split
1st – Out4Ya/ Gill Media – Aggregate – 129.3 Points – $8,820 Payout
2nd – Reel Em In III – Aggregate – 124.8 Points – $3,780 Payout
DAY TWO
Although the bite shifted from the steady rhythm of Day One, the competition’s intensity remained high. Teams fishing the south end began producing numbers, reshuffling the leaderboard and positioning several new contenders within striking distance heading into the final stretch. By lines-out, 150 sailfish releases had been recorded.
Sir Reel and Goombay Smash rounded out the Day Two leaderboard. In fifth place, Sir Reel, led by Capt. Skip Dana delivered one of the day’s most notable climbs. Starting 26th overall with four releases on Day One, the team added six more on Day Two, finishing with 10 releases and securing 9th place on the overall leaderboard. In fourth place, Yamaha-powered team, Goombay Smash, captained by Nicolas Vidal, committed to fishing the south end aboard their 35’ Contender and capitalized with seven releases. Beginning the day in 21st place, they closed the weekend with 11 total releases, finishing 7th overall. Their performance earned 1st place finishes in both the Semi-Pro and Small Boat Divisions, as well as the Small Boat Stash Calcutta, for a $7,700 weekend payout.
Next up, in third place on the Day Two leaderboard, 2026 Operation Sailfish Champions, Reel Deal, led by Capt. Koby Dobbelaer surged early with six releases before noon and added one more in the afternoon. They closed the weekend with 11 points and finished 6th overall, securing 3rd in the Day Two Tier One Daily for a $4,500 weekend payout.
And in second place on the Day Two leaderboard, Yamaha-powered team Sandrita, captained by Tucker Ersek, produced the most dramatic move of the day. Entering Day Two in 47th place with one release, the team recorded eight releases before noon and added two more in the afternoon. Sandra Fish accounted for four of those releases, earning Top Female Angler honors. Sandrita closed with 11 total points, finishing 5th overall based on time of last release. Their strong Day Two performance secured them the Early Bite category and second place in the Day Two Tier One and Tier Two Daily Calcuttas, for a $28,650 weekend payout.
As sailfish activity tapered on Day Two, the meatfish teams went to work. Yamaha-powered team Team Gamechanger, captained by Nathan Stuart, brought a stout kingfish catch to the scales, weighing a 138.6-pound bag on Day Two. They edged out Reel Em In III, captained by Nick Frasca aboard their 39’ Contender, by a tenth of a pound. Combined with a standout 46.1-pound king from Day One, Team Gamechanger’s consistency carried them to top honors in The Grand Daddy and Heaviest Kingfish, third in the Meatfish Aggregate, and wins in multiple optional categories, including Big Fish Bonanza, The Big Three, and Day Two Dynamite Daily for a weekend payout of $35,145.
DAY TWO STANDINGS
Day Two Leaderboard
1st – Priceless – 13 Points
2nd – Sandrita – 10 Points
3rd – Reel Deal – 7 Points
4th – Goombay Smash – 7 Points
5th – Sir Reel – 6 Points
Tier One Daily – 50/30/20 Split
1st – Priceless – 13 Points – $11,250 Payout
2nd – Sandrita – 10 Points – $6,750 Payout
3rd – Reel Deal – 7 Points – $4,500 Payout
Tier Two Daily – 70/30 Split
1st – Priceless – 13 Points – $44,100 Payout
2nd – Sandrita – 10 Points – $18,900 Payout
Dynamite Daily – Meatfish 70/30 Split
1st – Team Gamechanger – Aggregate – 138.6 Points – $8,820 Payout
2nd – Reel Em In III – Aggregate – 138.5 Points – $3,780 Payout
TOP TEAMS
Overall Leaderboard
1st – Priceless – 19 Points
2nd – Off The Wall – 17 Points
3rd – Sandman – 17 Points
4th – Goin’ Raptor – 14 Points
5th – Sandrita – 11 Points
Highest Earnings
1st – Priceless – $245,710
2nd – Sandman – $123,400
3rd – Off The Wall – $56,990
4th – Team Gamechanger – $35,145
5th – Sandrita – $28,650
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED: FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD AS PRICELESS SECURES VICTORY IN AUDACIOUS FASHION AS 23RD ANNUAL SAILFISH CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
At the end of Day One, teams faced mixed reports from the fleet across the tournament’s expansive 100-mile boundary. While many of the Day One leaders found success on the north end, the south end had yet to deliver results despite promising reports of floppers spotted by teams in Miami. The stage had been set for Day Two, as decisions for teams across the fleet were to either trust their instincts or commit to chasing intel from fresh reports heading into the final stretch.
This exact scenario is why Sailfish Challenge is regarded as one of the most difficult tournaments to win in the series. With three inlets in play and series title implications on the line, the strategic decisions made here can not only make or break the weekend but, more importantly, carry championship-level consequences.
In comes the audacious crew on Priceless, a team that’s been hot all season along the South Florida sailfish tournament trail. Coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Silver Sailfish Derby and Operation Sailfish, Leg One of the Series, where Reel Deal stole the win from the crew on a walk-off release thirty minutes after lines out. It was time for Priceless to answer the call.
Finishing in seventh with six releases on Day One after fishing the north end of the boundary out of Sailfish Marina, Priceless was in the mix, but not where they wanted to be. With their campaign for the Burgundy Jacket hanging in the balance, they loaded up the bait pens, cleared the slip at Sailfish Marina, headed south, and as the story goes, fortune favored the bold.
With Capt. Jorge Sanchez at the helm and a seasoned crew of anglers onboard, including Zeb de Tuya, Noah Wildstein, Johnny Vilorio, Esteban ‘Che’ Bruna, Alex Alvarez, Marcello Pares, Matthew Rodriguez, Raymond Romero, Jeffrey Fiorentino, Bernie Perez, Jordan Gruber, and the tournament’s Master Angler, Eddy Pulles they steadily climbed the standings on Day Two, recording 10 additional releases to find themselves in third place with 16 points, trailing Off The Wall and Sandman, at 17 points each.
With one fish on the line and a minute to go until lines-out, Capt. Jorge Sanchez called in two more hook-ups to the radio room, and at 4:01 p.m., successfully released all three for a walk-off finish that pushed them to 19 total releases and first place overall. That miracle down south earned them first place on the overall leaderboard along with Day Two Late Bite honors, Tier One and Tier Two Daily categories, and victories in the Leaderboard, High Rollers Club, Big Easy, and Release Round-Up calcuttas for a weekend payout that reached $245,710.
Congratulations on completing the challenge; Priceless’s 2026 Sailfish Challenge Champions title is set in stone. Well done!
QUEST FOR THE CREST SERIES STANDINGS THROUGH LEG TWO
1st – Priceless– 60 Points
2nd – Reel Deal – 56 Points
3rd – Sandman – 47 Points
4th – Vitamin Sea – 42 Points
5th – Living Water/Makin Time – 40 Points
6th – Sir Reel – 38 Points
7th – Native Son/Steel Got It – 38 Points
TWO DOWN, ONE TO GO: FINAL SAIL, LEG THREE OF THE QUEST FOR THE CREST PRESENTED BY RAYMARINE
The countdown is on for the grand finale of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series Presented by Raymarine, the 13th Annual Final Sail. Taking place April 8-11, 2026, this high-stakes showdown unfolds in the heart of Miami’s Coconut Grove, where the bite is hot, and the competition is fierce. Hosted by Courtyard by Marriott Coconut Grove, Shake-A-Leg Marina, Bayshore Club Miami, Miami Beach Marina, and Grove Harbor Marina, Final Sail isn’t just a tournament, it’s a celebration of the sport, the season, and the teams who have battled their way to the ultimate test.
Landing in Miami at peak sailfish season, Final Sail is famed for world-class fishing, an electric atmosphere, and one of the sport’s most lucrative payouts. With a $100,000 Guaranteed Bonus Purse—exclusively available to teams registered for all three legs of the series—anglers will be pushing the limits for their shot at glory, thanks to the continued support of Raymarine and Yamaha.
Now is the time to lock in your spot for one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport. Early registration is open at a discounted rate of $1,200 per boat until March 25, 2026. After that, entry increases to $1,700.
Visit www.finalsail.com to learn more.
ABOUT THE QUEST FOR THE CREST SAILFISH SERIES
The Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series stands as the ultimate battleground for the world’s top billfishing teams. This prestigious 3-leg series boasts an estimated purse of over $1.7 million, attracting fierce competitors from across the globe. But the true prize—the one that every team covets—isn’t about the money. It’s about The Crest.
The Crest represents the highest honor in the world of tournament sailfishing, a symbol of unmatched excellence. This coveted award, embodied by the iconic burgundy jacket, is reserved for the team that rises above all others in skill, strategy, and stamina. To don the jacket is to hold the title of world champion. It is not just a prize; it is a legacy earned through sheer dominance over an elite field. Only the best of the best can claim this privilege on their quest for the ultimate crown in billfishing.
ABOUT FISH BLUEWATER
Based in the heart of South Florida, the sportfishing capital of the world, Fish Bluewater is a premier sports marketing company with over three decades of expertise. For 30 years, we’ve been at the forefront of the competitive fishing scene, developing some of the most successful tournaments in the industry. Our deep-rooted knowledge of tournament fishing, paired with cutting-edge event marketing strategies, has allowed us to deliver unparalleled experiences for both anglers and sponsors alike.
With a portfolio of seven highly sought-after tournaments, each hosted at iconic venues across South Florida, Fish Bluewater continues to set the standard in competitive sportfishing events. Our commitment to excellence ensures that every tournament we produce is more than just a competition—it’s a premium experience that celebrates the passion and spirit of the sport.
For media inquiries, images, and additional information, please contact:
Chris Caravello
Phone: 954-725-4010
Email: Chris@bluewatermovements.com
