THREE LITTLE BIRDS WINS 12TH ANNUAL FINAL SAIL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 2025
FINAL SAIL SETTLES IN AT ITS NEW HOME IN COCONUT GROVE
Now in its second year in Miami’s Historic Coconut Grove, the 12th Annual Final Sail has cemented its place as a crown jewel in The Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series. What began last year as a bold move to reimagine Leg 3 in a new setting has now matured into a full-fledged tradition, one defined by electric energy, historic scenery, and a hot sailfish bite.
Backed once again by presenting sponsor Raymarine and Yamaha, the official outboard sponsor of the series, Final Sail delivered on its promise to elevate the game, anchored by a $100,000 guaranteed payout and an impressive overall purse of $513,175. With 42 elite teams returning to the battlefield, the Atlantic Sailfish showed up in numbers, making the grand finale everything it was built for.
FINAL SAIL EVENT RECAP
The 12th Annual Final Sail launched its weeklong celebration on April 2nd at Shake-a-Leg Miami Adaptive Sports Center in Coconut Grove. Against the vibrant backdrop of Miami’s waterfront, teams gathered for the captains’ meeting, marking the official start of one of competitive sailfishing’s most anticipated events.
Attendees enjoyed an electric evening of camaraderie and cocktails, courtesy of tournament partners Islamorada Brewery & Distillery, Papa’s Pilar, Josh Wines, Landshark Lager, and new sponsor Serpentes Tequila, served by the Hooters Girls of South Florida. Bodega Taqueria and Kabuki Soba fueled anglers’ appetites with bold flavors, while premier sponsors Raymarine, SIMMS Fishing Gear, and Network Innovations joined beneficiary Shake-a-Leg Miami Foundation in building the buzz ahead of the competition.
The two days of fishing on April 4–5 delivered high-stakes action on the water, as elite teams fought for top spots on the leaderboard. Each day, teams returned to a festive dockside scene with spirits flowing from Serpentes Tequila and Islamorada Vodka.
The grand finale unfolded Saturday night at the waterfront Bayshore Club Miami, where top performers were honored in an awards ceremony befitting the series’ prestige. Tournament top teams received custom trophies from Bentley’s Art, while the Quest for the Crest Champions, Jolene, were awarded the coveted SIMMS Burgundy Jackets and luxury timepieces from Cartier and Patek Philippe, courtesy of Altier Jewelers, were awarded to the Top Captain and Top Female Angler of the series.. The night concluded with Final Sail’s heartfelt commitment to its new home, as a $6,075 donation was presented to the Shake-a-Leg Miami Foundation, furthering the tournament’s mission to give back.
THE FINALE RECAP
DAY ONE
Final Sail fired out of the gates with a strong opening day. A consistent bite across the fleet led to an impressive 209 sailfish releases by lines out.
Setting the pace early were the newcomers aboard Three Little Birds, led by Captain Tyler Walsh. Their 12 releases secured the top spot on Day One and a $7,425 Tier One Daily payout. Right behind them was Traveler 5, captained by Ben Sharpe, with 10 releases, good for the Early Bite win and a combined Tier One and Tier Two Daily payout of $41,795. Not far behind, the Yamaha-powered team Res Ipsa Liquidur aboard their Contender 44st, delivered 10 releases of their own, locking in an $18,630 payday between both daily calcutta tiers.
Other standout performances included Seraphim with nine releases, led by Captain Richard Peeples, and Irish Twin, captained by Jesse Meerhoff, who edged out competitors with eight releases based on time.
In the meatfish division, Native Son, aboard their Seavee 390Z led by Captain Art Sapp, weighed in a 52.9-pound aggregate, netting the Dynamite Daily and a $4,410 reward.
DAY ONE STANDINGS
Day One Leaderboard
1st – Three Little Birds – 12 Points
2nd – Traveler 5 – 10 Points
3rd – Res Ipsa Liquidur – 10 Points
4th – Seraphim – 9 Points
5th – Irish Twin – 8 Points
Tier One Daily – 50/30/20 Split
1st – Three Little Birds – 12 Points – $7,425 Payout
2nd – Traveler 5 – 10 Points – $4,445 Payout
3rd – Res Ipsa Liquidur – 10 Points – $2,970 Payout
Tier Two Daily – 70/30 Split
1st – Traveler 5 – 10 Points – $36,540 Payout
2nd – Res Ipsa Liquidur – 10 Points – $15,660 Payout
Dynamite Daily – Meatfish 70/30 Split
1st – Native Son – Aggregate – 52.9 Points – $4,410 Payout
2nd – Sandman – Aggregate – 16.9 Points – $1,890 Payout
DAY TWO
Day Two delivered even more action with 226 sailfish released, a fierce flurry that shook up the leaderboard and set the stage for a dramatic finish.
Finger Mullet, led by Captain Eduardo Gonzales, stole the show. Their Yamaha-powered SeaVee 390Z went on an early tear with eight releases before noon and six more in the afternoon. The team’s 14-release performance on Day Two pushed their tournament total to 19 points, good for second overall, top honors in the Semi-Pro Division, and additional winnings for the heaviest cobia at 46.7lbs, the Grand Daddy, and 3rd place meatfish aggregate. Their weekend total: $14,350.
Two Conchs, led by Captain Cameron Null, also came out swinging. With 11 releases on Day Two, they reached 14 total, landing them second in the Small Boat Division and highlighting Emanuel Souza’s standout 13-fish performance, earning him Top Angler. Their payout totaled $1,200.
Meanwhile, Vitamin Sea, led by Captain Matt Kniskern, delivered one of the event’s most lucrative runs. They posted 11 releases on Day Two to bring their total to 18, finishing fourth overall, first in Tier One and Tier Two Day Two Dailies, first in the Raymarine/Yamaha-Powered $100K Guarantee, and several calcuttas for a $123,865 payday.
Liquidated and Reel Deal rounded out the top Day Two teams with 10 releases each. Liquidated, led by Captain Danny Clinton, aboard their Seavee 390Z, finished with 14 total and netted $26,595. Reel Deal, captained by Koby Dobbelaer, closed with 15 releases and walked away with $3,770.
Other standout performances included Osh-it, led by Captain Jim Juller with 8 releases on day two to bring their weekend total to 18, finishing 3rd overall, first place in the Highroller’s Club, and the Sporty Calcutta, as well as several other calcuttas for a $106,900 payday.
In the meatfish division, Hank The Buffalo, captained by Frank Langdon, claimed the Day Two Dynamite Daily with a 39.4-pound haul worth $4,410.
DAY TWO STANDINGS
Day Two Leaderboard
1st – Finger Mullet – 14 Points
2nd – Two Conchs– 11 Points
3rd – Vitamin Sea – 11 Points
4th – Liquidated – 10 Points
5th – Reel Deal – 10 Points
Tier One Daily – 50/30/20 Split
1st – Vitamin Sea – 11 Points – $7,425 Payout
2nd – Liquidated – 10 Points – $4,445 Payout
3rd – Reel Deal – 10 Points – $2,970 Payout
Tier Two Daily – 70/30 Split
1st – Vitamin Sea – 11 Points – $36,540 Payout
2nd – Liquidated – 10 Points – $15,660 Payout
Dynamite Daily – Meatfish 70/30 Split
1st – Hank The Buffalo – Aggregate – 39.4 Points – $4,410 Payout
2nd – Native Son – Aggregate – 38.7 Points – $1,890 Payout
TOP TEAMS
Overall Leaderboard
1st – Three Little Birds – 20 Points
2nd – Finger Mullet – 19 Points
3rd – OSH-IT – 18 Points
4th – Vitamin Sea – 18 Points
5th – Seraphim – 17 Points
Highest Earnings
1st – Vitamin Sea – $123,865
2nd – Osh-it – $106,900
3rd – Three Little Birds – $48,300
4th – Seraphim – $47,700
5th – Traveler 5 – $41,795
THREE LITTLE BIRDS SOAR TO VICTORY AT FINAL SAIL
In just their first appearance on the Quest for the Crest circuit, the team aboard Three Little Birds made an unforgettable statement at the 12th Annual Final Sail. Led by Captain Tyler Walsh, the newcomers came out firing on day one with an impressive 12 sailfish releases, quickly putting the fleet on notice. But they didn’t stop there.
Backed by steady execution and smart moves on the water, Three Little Birds added eight more releases on day two to seal the deal with 20 total points, earning them the Final Sail Championship title as well as top honors on the Leader’s Board, the Self Centered, and Charity Calcutta categories. Their two-day performance brought home a $32,325 payout and a permanent place in Final Sail history.
Congratulations to Three Little Birds, the title of the 12th Annual Final Sail Champions is now yours to hold forever.
ABOUT THE QUEST FOR THE CREST SAILFISH SERIES PRESENTED BY RAYMARINE
The Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series Presented by Raymarine 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.
For media inquiries, images, and additional information, please contact:
Chris Caravello
Phone: 954-725-4010
Email: Chris@bluewatermovements.com
