All Eyes on the Prize: The 22nd Annual Sailfish Challenge Launches February 19th, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 2025
Sailfish Challenge, Leg Two of the 2025 Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series
The stage is set for the 22nd Annual Sailfish Challenge, hosted by Galuppi’s Restaurant & Sports Bar in Pompano Beach from February 19 – 23, 2025, with proceeds benefiting The Billfish Foundation. As the second leg of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series Presented By Raymarine, this highly anticipated event offers competing teams a shot at a cash purse estimated to exceed $600,000. In true Sailfish Challenge style, the tournament’s unique three-inlet format allows teams to fish from Miami’s Government Cut, Pompano Beach’s Hillsboro Inlet, and West Palm’s Lake Worth Inlet. This strategic flexibility gives teams the edge to track the bite north or south and still make check-in at the end of the day.
But the 3-inlet format isn’t the only highlight of the Challenge. The tournament also features the beloved ‘Coin Challenge,’ where teams are randomly grouped by color to battle for the highest number of sailfish releases. The victorious color group wins commemorative coins, with one lucky angler from the group taking home the Grand Prize—a three-day, two-night stay at Margaritaville Resort in Hollywood Beach, courtesy of Landshark Lager!
The excitement kicks off on Wednesday, February 19th, with the captains’ meeting, featuring a live performance by the Adam David Trio Band on the big stage at Galuppi’s. With complimentary cocktails, dinner, and a silent auction, teams, sponsors, and vendors will gather for a night of camaraderie before the two-day competition heats up on February 21st and 22nd. The tournament week wraps up with a celebratory awards brunch on Sunday, February 23rd back at Galuppi’s.
The Billfish Foundation
Fish Bluewater is honored to partner with The Billfish Foundation in their unwavering commitment to billfish conservation worldwide, particularly through initiatives like the Sailfish Challenge.
Founded in 1986 by the late Winthrop P. Rockefeller, Dr. Eric Prince, and a dedicated group of 50 founding members, The Billfish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of billfish species globally. Their flagship initiative, the Traditional Tagging Program, launched in 1990 and has since evolved into the largest international billfish tagging program in existence.
Originally focused on research and education, The Billfish Foundation expanded its mission in 1990 to advocate for responsible fisheries management, recognizing that engaging decision-makers with robust scientific data is vital for effective billfish conservation.
Each year, the Sailfish Challenge winner earns a unique opportunity to participate in The Billfish Foundation’s Tag and Release Program through an exclusive satellite tagging expedition. Led by foundation scientists, this expedition allows the winning team to have a satellite tag named in their honor and work alongside experts in deploying the tag. This collaboration not only enables tracking and data collection but also fosters the exchange of valuable insights within the fishing community and among tournament anglers, enhancing the understanding and advancement of billfish conservation efforts.
To learn more about The Billfish Foundation’s conservation initiatives, please visit billfish.org.
GEMLUX: HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST (GAFF) SHOT CONTEST
When it comes to landing the big one, the GEMLUX Collapsible Carbon Fiber Gaff sets the standard. Built with cutting-edge carbon fiber construction, it delivers the strength and durability serious anglers rely on, paired with the storage convenience and lightweight construction every fisherman appreciates.
This year’s Sailfish Challenge is adding a twist for competing teams—a chance to showcase your best gaff shots and win big. Simply capture your gaff shot during the tournament. The top four gaff shot videos will be featured on @fishbluewater, where fans and followers will vote for their favorite. The team with the most votes will win a GEMLUX Collapsible Carbon Fiber Gaff.
Voting begins on February 27th, with winners announced on March 8th. Follow @fishbluewater on social media for contest updates!
Chasing Burgundy
The pursuit of the coveted SIMMS Fishing Burgundy Jacket is heating up as the competition intensifies. Let’s dive into the current standings and see how our top teams and anglers are faring in the series.
Quest Series Standings
1st – Jolene – 31 Points
2nd – Owe Deere – 29 Points
3rd – Old No. 7 – 28 Points
4th – Reel Easy – 27 Points
5th – True Grit – 26 Points
6th – Mallard Sportfishing – 25 Points
7th – Trophy Wife – 24 Points
Top Female
1st – Kay McCann – 3 Points
2nd – Karen Branick – 2 Points
3rd – Shelby Callison – 2 Points
4th – Sandra MacMillan – 2 Points
5th – Sasha Barnett – 2 Points
6th – Chelsey LeeAnn – 1 Points
7th – Sarah Melia – 1 Points
Top Male
1st – Jesse Bednar – 6 Points
2nd – Billy Vanderhorn – 6 Points
3rd – Robbie Clawges – 6 Points
4th – Daniel Enriquez – 6 Points
5th – Jeffrey Owen – 6 Points
6th – Doug Mienkiewicz – 5 Points
7th – Dave Kairalla – 5 Points
Battle of the Brackets Sponsored By Shimano – Round 3
Goombay Smash VS. Jolene
Sandman VS. Carolina Reel Men
Fish On VS. True Grit
Seraphim VS. Trophy Wife
Tournament Entry Tips
Don’t miss out on securing your place in this premier tournament! Early registration for Sailfish Challenge is available at a discounted rate of $1,200 per boat until February 5th, 2025. After that, the fee rises to $1,700, so act fast to lock in your spot. Along with the coveted first-place title, there are multiple opportunities to cash in across general and optional entry divisions. Here are some key tips to get the most out of your entry:
General Entry Divisions
Final Sail $100,000 Guarantee: No fine print, no hidden catches—thanks to the incredible support from Raymarine and Yamaha, we’ve added an exclusive $100,000 bonus to the last leg of the series, Final Sail. This grand finale payout is on top of the standard prize money and is available only to teams that compete in all three legs of the series. Even if you miss one leg, just registering makes you eligible for this fantastic prize at Final Sail.
Meatfish Madness: Don’t overlook the meatfish categories in the Quest series! With three divisions—Meatfish Aggregate, Heaviest Fish for Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish, Cobia, and Tuna, and the showstopper Heaviest Fish Overall—plus three meatfish Calcuttas, you could walk away with over $50,000, even without catching a single sailfish. Take a cue from Reel-E-Sea, who scored a big payday back in 2023 with a 69.9 lb Wahoo and some impressive Kingfish. You don’t have to land bills to rake in bills!
Optional Entry Calcuttas
Fish For Charity Calcutta: Here’s your chance to give back while fishing. The Fish For Charity Calcutta supports The Billfish Foundation, offering a 50/50 split between the top-scoring team and this important cause. With an entry fee of $500 per boat, it’s a win-win for both the teams and charity.
Release Round-Up: The Quest for the Crest’s exclusive, winner-take-all category, Release Round-Up, is always a fan favorite. Played over four rounds across two days of competition, the stakes are high. If your team advances through all four rounds, you could win big. In 2020, Miss Annie walked away with an incredible $371,700 jackpot. Who will be next? Entry for this Calcutta is $1,000 per boat.
Sailfish Challenge 2025 Schedule of Events
All events for the week will be held at Galuppi’s Restaurant & Sports Bar:
1103 N Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Kick-Off Party/Captain’s Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 19th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Galuppi’s Restaurant & Sports Bar
Fishing Day 1
Date: Friday, February 21st, 2025
Lines In: 8:00 AM
Lines Out: 4:00 PM
Deadline to Submit Media: 6:00 PM
Locations: Sailfish Marina, Hillsboro Inlet, and Miami Beach Marina
Fishing Day 2
Lines In: 8:00 AM
Lines Out: 4:00 PM
Deadline to Submit Media: 6:00 PM
Locations: Sailfish Marina, Hillsboro Inlet, and Miami Beach Marina
Awards Ceremony
Date: Sunday, February 23rd, 2025
Time: Brunch & Awards Presentations 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Galuppi’s Restaurant & Sports Bar
About the Quest for the Quest 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
