THE QUEST FOR THE CREST – PRESENTED BY RAYMARINE BEGINS: OPERATION SAILFISH RETURNS TO SAILFISH MARINA JANUARY 14 – 18, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 2025

THE CHASE FOR THE BURGUNDY JACKET BEGINS

South Florida’s premier sailfishing series returns as the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series, presented by Raymarine, gears up for another epic season. The pursuit of the coveted SIMMS Burgundy Jackets opens with Operation Sailfish, the first leg of the series, hosted at the iconic Sailfish Marina in West Palm Beach from January 14–18, 2026.

Teams will compete for more than $800,000 in prize money in a two-day battle against sailfish in one of the most revered fishing regions while seeking to claim the tournament’s exclusive Champions’ Dog Tags, and a year’s worth of bragging rights that come with starting the season on top.

OPERATION SAILFISH DEPLOYS AT SAILFISH MARINA

The week of events begins Wednesday evening, January 14, with the kickoff party and captains’ meeting featuring an opening ceremony, highlighted by a patriotic presentation from the Operation Homefront Color Guard. Teams, sponsors, and guests will gather on the south lawn of Sailfish Marina for an evening of camaraderie, live entertainment, and celebration before competition gets underway.

On Thursday morning, January 15, Operation Sailfish will host its signature Take a Hero Fishing event, honoring the men and women who have proudly served our country.

Tournament competition unfolds Friday and Saturday, January 16–17, as teams go head to head for leaderboard glory and big-time checks. Following Saturday’s lines-out, tournament teams and sponsors are invited to a co-sponsored happy hour hosted by C&L Insurance and APH Marine Construction at the Sailfish Marina Tiki Bar to unwind and trade stories from the water.

The week concludes Sunday morning, January 18, with an awards brunch recognizing top teams and anglers. A moving closing ceremony, including a flag retirement and military tribute, will formally cap off the event in true patriotic fashion.

To learn more about Operation Sailfish, visit www.operationsailfish.com.

HONORING OUR NATION’S HEROES ON THE WATER: TAKE A HERO FISHING

A signature tradition of Operation Sailfish, the tournament proudly hosts its annual Take a Hero Fishing day as a tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who have courageously served our country. Scheduled for January 16, 2025, this meaningful event is presented in partnership with Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military families and helping them build strong, stable lives in the communities they’ve served with honor.

During this special experience, active-duty service members and veterans will join tournament teams for a day offshore, sharing in the camaraderie and competitive spirit that define South Florida’s sailfishing community. The celebration continues dockside with a cocktail reception and awards ceremony, where our heroes are recognized with custom trophies presented by Land & Sea Professionals, a proud veteran-owned sponsor partner of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series.

Florida-based U.S. veterans and active-duty military personnel interested in participating in Take a Hero Fishing Day 2026 may register through our official sign-up link here.

To learn more about Operation Homefront and their mission to support America’s military families, visit operationhomefront.org.

TOURNAMENT ENTRY TIPS

Secure your place in one of South Florida’s most prestigious sailfish tournaments. Early registration for Operation Sailfish is now open at a discounted rate of $1,200 + tax per boat through January 2, 2026. After this date, the entry fee increases to $1,700 + tax. In addition to competing for the coveted first-place title, teams have the opportunity to earn significant cash payouts across both general and optional entry categories. Follow these key tips to maximize your tournament experience:

To register for Operation Sailfish, visit fish.bluewatermovements.com

GENERAL ENTRY CATEGORY TIPS

Meatfish Category: The Quest for the Crest isn’t only about sailfish; don’t overlook the value of the meatfish divisions. With categories for Meatfish Aggregate, Heaviest Fish Overall, and top placements in Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish, Cobia, and Tuna, teams have multiple opportunities to secure significant payouts. Add in three high-value meatfish Calcuttas, and the potential earnings stack up fast.

Reel-E-Sea proved that in 2023, earning more than $54,000 with a standout 69.9-lb Wahoo and a heavy bag of Kingfish. A reminder that in the Quest, you don’t have to catch bills to stack bills.

Small Boat and Semi-Pro Categories: Boat size or tournament resumes don’t matter in the Quest for the Crest when leaderboard contenders in the fleet can come from every angle. With categories including Small Boat Division for boats 37’ and under and Semi-Pro Division for crews looking to rise through the ranks, teams have multiple opportunities to secure big-time payouts.

Crews that fall in these categories and are willing to put extra skin in the game can open the door to even larger payouts by entering optional categories like the Winner-Take-All Self Centered Calcutta and the Small Boat Stash, where the money ramps up quickly and could potentially add close to $15,000 to a team’s winnings.

Prime example: Liquidated made their series debut as a Semi-Pro team in 2024 aboard a 36’ center console and went on to win the entire series, earning more than $277,855 throughout the season. Proof that dedication and commitment, not boat size or legacy, are the difference makers in the chase for burgundy.

OPTIONAL ENTRY CATEGORY TIPS

Fish For Charity Calcutta: Make every release count for a cause. The Fish For Charity Calcutta gives teams an opportunity to give back while they compete, with proceeds benefiting Operation Homefront. The pot is split 50/50 between the top-scoring team and the nonprofit’s mission to support U.S. military families. With a $500 entry fee per boat, it’s a true win-win for both the teams and the charity.

Release Round-Up: High stakes. High reward. The Release Round-Up is the Quest for the Crest’s exclusive winner-take-all Calcutta and a favorite among the fleet. Structured across four rounds over two days of fishing, only the sharpest and most consistent teams advance. Those who go the distance have a shot at a major payday, just ask Miss Annie, who claimed an impressive $371,700 jackpot in 2020. Entry for the Release Round-Up Calcutta is $1,000 per boat.

Quest “TNT” Series Calcutta: The Quest “TNT” Series Calcutta adds explosive energy to the season-long competition. To qualify, teams must register during the first leg of the series, securing their shot at a significant season-ending payout. With a $1,500 entry fee per boat, this season-long Calcutta keeps the stakes high and the competition sharp from the opening lines-in to lines-out at Final Sail.

Final Sail $100,000 Guarantee: No fine print. No gimmicks. Thanks to the tremendous support of Raymarine and Yamaha, the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series is raising the stakes for its grand finale. Leg three, Final Sail, now features a guaranteed $100,000 bonus payout, a 50/30/20 split awarded on top of the standard prize money.

This elite bonus is reserved for teams that register for all three legs of the series. Available only at Final Sail, entry for this guaranteed payout is $2,500.

OPERATION SAILFISH 2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

All events for the week will be held at Sailfish Marina:

98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL, 33404

Kick-Off Party/Captain’s Meeting

Date: Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM