Sandman Makes a Grand Exit at the 11th Annual Final Sail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2024
The Dawn of a New Era for Final Sail
Miami, FL – The 11th Annual Final Sail transitions to its new home in Coconut Grove, Miami, marking the dawn of a new era in Leg 3 of The Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series. With the inaugural $100,000 guarantee generously supported by Raymarine and Yamaha Outboards, this milestone event heralds a fresh era of competition. While introducing new aspects and venues, the essence of the tournament remained unchanged as 35 teams set out in battle against the elusive Atlantic Sailfish, aiming to secure their share of the substantial $459,400 purse.
In addition to the tournament’s relocation and the sponsored prize guarantee, Final Sail reveals its latest charitable partner, Shake-A-Leg Miami, joining forces with the tournament’s long-time beneficiary, Fishing For Muscular Dystrophy (FFMD). Aligned in their mission of empowering individuals with disabilities through the healing power of the ocean to forge a harmonious alliance by raising awareness and funds for life-saving research. Throughout the tournament week, the community rallied together, resulting in a remarkable total of over $6,000 raised, poised to make a meaningful impact through the support of these noble causes.
Gand Events of the Grand Finale
The 11th annual Final Sail kicked off its week-long festivities with the captains’ meeting on April 10th at Shake-a-Leg Marina in the heart of Miami’s Coconut Grove. The evening was highlighted with music by DJ Select, food trucks from Fat Boyz Barbecue and El Salvaje Food Trailer, along with a special appearance by the Miami Dolphins mascot ‘T.D.’, keeping the crowd entertained throughout the evening. Competing teams were treated to complimentary cocktails from Islamorada Brewery & Distillery, Papa’s Pilar, and Landshark Lager during dinner, mingling with tournament sponsors and vendors, including the series presenting sponsor, Raymarine, as well as our:
- Featured Artist of Final Sail, Rio Saress
- Marine Hardware Sponsor, GEMLUX
- Official Apparel Sponsor, PELAGIC Gear
- Technology & Communications Sponsor, Network Innovations
- Satellite Weather & Fishmapping Sponsor, Sirius XM Marine
Saturday after fishing, competing teams were welcomed back to the docks with complimentary cocktails provided by our exclusive SeaKeeper Dealer, Land & Sea Professionals. Later that evening, the week of events culminated in a memorable tournament and series award ceremony at Bayshore Club, where the series champions were honored with prestigious prizes. Notable awards included a custom champion outdoor bar by Eddie Forbes, a custom world champions dock box from Mazarine Cases, and Cartier and Patek Philippe timepieces awarded to Danny Clinton and Sandra MacMillan, the top captain and top female angler of the series, courtesy of Altier Jewelers of Boca Raton. Finally, the highly-coveted PELAGIC Gear Burgundy Jackets were bestowed upon the series champions, Liquidated, marking their exceptional achievement in the world of sportfishing.
The Finale Recap
Day One
The fishing on day one saw 115 releases. Securing 1st place was Sandman, captained by John Dudas, with 10 points, clinching both early and late bites along with the tier one and tier two daily calcuttas, earning a total of $39,525 on the day. In 2nd place was Liquidated, captained by Danny Clinton, with eight releases earning 2nd in the tier one and tier two daily calcuttas for a payday of $17,415.
Wrapping up Day One, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th were Killbox, led by captain Cody Darbie; Gale Force/Team Invincible, captained by Trey Claus; and REMIX aboard the 44’ Contender, Captained by JC Cleare. All notched six releases each, finishing in their respective order based on the timing of their final release.
In the meatfish division, Hank the Buffalo, Captained by Frank Langdon, reeled in a 27.2-pound bag of kingfish, securing 1st Place in the Dynamite Daily and a prize of $4,095. Followed by Miss Michelle, led by Captain Will Kelleher, aboard their 39’ Contender outfitted with state-of-the-art electronics from Raymarine, landing a 16.4-lb kingfish, earning them 2nd Place in the Dynamite Daily and a prize of $1,755.
Day One Standings
Day One Leaderboard
1st – Sandman – 10 Points
2nd – Liquidated – 8 Points
3rd – Killbox – 6 Points
4th – Gale Force/Team Invincible – 6 Points
5th – REMIX – 6 Points
Tier One Daily – 50/30/20 Split
1st – Sandman – 10 Points – $6,525 Payout
2nd – Liquidated – 8 Points – $3,915 Payout
3rd – Killbox – 6 Points – $2,610 Payout
Tier Two Daily – 70/30 Split
1st – Sandman – 10 Points – $31,500 Payout
2nd – Liquidated – 8 Points – $13,500 Payout
Dynamite Daily – Meatfish 70/30 Split
1st – Hank The Buffalo – Aggregate – 27.2 Points – $4,095 Payout
2nd – Miss Michelle – Aggregate – 16.4 Points – $1,755 Payout
Day Two
After an outstanding day of fishing on day one, teams eagerly prepared for the last day of competition for the season, with fishing conditions forecasted to improve on day two. As lines-in was called over the radio at 8:00 AM, anticipation ran high, and the final push began. By lines-out at 4:00 PM, another impressive 164 sailfish had been released. The top five teams maximized every opportunity to advance their positions on the leaderboard in the final moments of the season.
Leading the charge on day two was none other than Capt. John Dudas of Sandman surging ahead steadily throughout the day, notching 11 releases, expanding their two-point lead from day one to five points by the end of the day, which were clocked in by Master Angler of Final Sail Robbie Ramirez for a total of 21 points. Allowing Sandman to clinch first place in the Leader’s Board, Raymarine/Yamaha Final Sail $100,000 Guarantee, Tier One and Tier Two Daily calcuttas, while making it through the final two rounds of the Release Round-Up, bringing their total tournament winnings to an astonishing $237,160 payout.
In second place, REMIX aboard the 44’ Contender, Captained by JC Cleare, stayed in the mix while taking a commanding charge in the afternoon with eight releases, bringing their day total to 10, to catapult the team into 2nd place from their 5th place standing on day one. Their showing on day two earned them a prize for Late Bite Saturday, 2nd in the Leader’s Board, Raymarine/Yamaha Final Sail $100,000 Guarantee, Tier One and Tier Two Daily calcuttas, bringing their total earnings to $88,695.
Completing the lineup in 3rd, 4th, and 5th place was Priceless, captained by Jorge Sanchez, with ten releases bringing their total points to 14, securing 3rd Place in the Overall Leaderboard, and 3rd Place in the Leader’s Board, Raymarine/Yamaha Final Sail $100,000 Guarantee and Tier One Daily Calcuttas bringing their total earnings to $30,470. Followed closely by Shitch Yea Catch N Reese, captained by James Barnett and Rodbenders Raw Bar & Grill, aboard their Yamaha-Powered 39’ Contender captained by Bob Orban, with nine releases each finishing in their respective order based on the timing of their final release.
In the meatfish division, Hank The Buffalo, led by Captain Frank Langdon, reeled in an 86.5-lb bag, securing 1st Place in the Dynamite Daily and the Meatfish Aggregate, bringing their total earnings to $23,465. Followed by Miss Michelle, led by Captain Will Kelleher, aboard their 39’ Contender outfitted with state-of-the-art electronics from Raymarine, landed an 11.8-lb kingfish, earning them 2nd Place in the Dynamite Dailyand and Meatfish Aggregate, bringing their total earnings to $3,510.
Day Two Stanings
Day Two Leaderboard
1st – Sandman – 11 Points
2nd – REMIX – 10 Points
3rd – Priceless – 10 Points
4th – Shitch Yea Catch N Reese – 9 Points
5th – Rodbenders Raw Bar & Grill – 8 Points
Tier One Daily – 50/30/20 Split
1st – Sandman – 11 Points – $6,525 Payout
2nd – REMIX – 10 Points – $3,915 Payout
3rd – Priceless – 10 Points – $2,610 Payout
Tier Two Daily – 70/30 Split
1st – Sandman – 11 Points – $31,500 Payout
2nd – REMIX – 10 Points – $13,500 Payout
Dynamite Daily – Meatfish 70/30 Split
1st – Hank The Buffalo – Aggregate – 86.5 Points – $4,095 Payout
2nd – Miss Michelle – Aggregate – 11.8 Points – $1,755 Payout
TOP TEAMS
Overall Leaderboard
1st – Sandman – 21 Points
2nd – REMIX – 16 Points
3rd – Priceless – 14 Points
4th – Gale Force/Team Invincible – 13 Points
5th – Liquidated – 12 Points
Highest Earnings
1st – Sandman – $237,160
2nd – REMIX – $88,695
3th – Liquidated – $39,465
4th – Priceless – $30,470
5th – Hank the Buffalo – $23,465
Closing the Curtains
Sandman’s Grand Finale
The 2024 sailfish season in South Florida has proven that no one does it better than John Dudas and the crew on Sandman. Their journey unfolded following a less-than-stellar performance at Operation Sailfish in January, setting the stage for a remarkable resurgence by the 2017 Series Champions. The turning point for the crew came during the Sailfish Challenge in February when the Sandman crew rallied to release four sailfish in the final 20 minutes of the tournament, catapulting them from 3rd to 1st place. The message was sent: “Don’t count out John Dudas.” Their momentum continued with another triumphant 1st place finish a week later. Finally, as the South Florida Sailfish season culminated with Final Sail, the tone had been set as the team finished the season with their third victory in three straight tournaments to solidify a well earned reputation as the best in the game!
Congratulations to Sandman, the title of 2024 Final Sail Champions is now yours to hold forever!
About the Quest for the Crest
This iconic series hosts some of the top billfishing teams in the sport. Teams in this 3-leg series are expected to compete for an estimated purse of over $1.8 million. However, the most coveted award – The Crest – doesn’t come in the form of a cash prize. The Crest represents the pinnacle of tournament sailfishing. It is viewed as the highest accolade bestowed upon a team. Presented in jacket form, competitors must emerge as the most dominant among an elite field in order to don the burgundy jacket. Privilege is earned, not given, on this quest to crown a world champion.
About Bluewater Movements
Bluewater Movements, Inc., is a sports marketing company based in South Florida, the sport fishing capital of the world. Throughout the past 30 years, our team has developed some of the most successful competitive fishing events in the industry. Our background in tournament fishing, coupled with our expertise in event marketing, has enabled a premium experience for tournament anglers and sponsors. Within our portfolio, there are seven wildly popular fishing tournaments, all hosted at various venues across South Florida.
For media inquiries, images, and additional information, please contact:
Chris Caravello
Phone: 954-725-4010
Email: Chris@bluewatermovements.com
