Operation Sailfish Deploys for a Tactical Strike Mission at Sailfish Marina January 15-19, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2024
The Chase for Burgundy Begins
The Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series, presented by Raymarine, is back! The journey to claim the coveted burgundy jacket kicks off with Operation Sailfish, the first leg of the series, hosted at the iconic Sailfish Marina from January 15-19, 2025. Teams will compete in a two-day battle against sailfish on the high seas off West Palm Beach, competing for a substantial $800,000 prize purse, exclusive sterling silver champions’ dog tags, and a year’s worth of bragging rights that only victory can bring.
The week of events begins on Wednesday, January 15th, with the captains’ meeting and a grand Opening Ceremony featuring a patriotic salute by the Operation Homefront Color Guard. As the official proceedings unfold, competitors can relax and mingle on Sailfish Marina’s expanded south lawn, enjoying the camaraderie of fellow anglers, sponsors, and guests for a night of festivities before the fishing begins.
On Thursday, January 16, Operation Sailfish presents its signature event, Take a Hero Fishing. A tournament tradition, pairing tournament teams with U.S. veterans and active-duty military personnel for an unforgettable day on the water, honoring those who have served. Following the day’s fishing, includes an awards ceremony in the afternoon, and as the sun sets, Sailfish Marina comes alive with the ‘Spirit of America’ concert, featuring the Toby Keith tribute band ‘Beer For My Horses’ in harmony with Sailfish Marina’s iconic Sunset Celebration—an evening dedicated to camaraderie, patriotism, and gratitude.
On Friday, January 17th, and Saturday, January 18th, the battle for the champions’ dog tags takes center stage, followed by C&L Insurance and APH Marine Construction happy hours each evening. The culmination of the weekend takes place on Sunday, January 19th, during the awards brunch, where the top teams will be celebrated. A heartfelt closing ceremony, including a flag retirement and tribute to the U.S. military, will honor the brave service members, concluding the week’s events on a patriotic note.
To learn more about Operation Sailfish, visit our website at www.operationsailfish.com
To register for Operation Sailfish, visit our registration app at fish.bluewatermovements.com
Honoring Heroes on the Water: “Take a Hero Fishing” Day at Operation Sailfish
As one of the signature moments of Operation Sailfish, the tournament is proud to present its iconic “Take a Hero Fishing” day, a heartfelt tribute to the true American heroes—our U.S. military servicemen and women. Set for January 16th, 2025, this special event is held in partnership with Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization committed to building strong, stable, and secure military families who thrive in the very communities they have selflessly protected.
On this memorable day, active-duty military personnel and veterans will team up with tournament fishing teams for an exciting day on the water, sharing in the thrill of competition and camaraderie. The celebration continues back on land with a cocktail reception and awards ceremony, where these extraordinary heroes will be recognized for their service with custom trophies, generously provided by Land & Sea Professionals, a dedicated sponsor of the tournament and series. A ‘Spirit of America’ performance wraps the evening with the popular Toby Keith tribute band – Beer for My Horses.
For Florida-based US Veterans and active duty military personnel interested in participating in Operation Sailfish’s Take a Hero Fishing Day 2025, visit our registration link here.
To learn more about the impactful mission of Operation Homefront, visit their website at operationhomefront.org.
Tournament Entry Tips
Don’t miss out on securing your place in this premier tournament! Early registration for Operation Sailfish is available at a discounted rate of $1,200 per boat until January 2nd, 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 50/30/20 payout is on top of the standard prize money and is available only to teams that enter all three legs of the series. Even if you miss one leg, just registering makes you eligible for this epic 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 $54,000+ payday back in 2023 with a 69.9 lb Wahoo and some impressive Kingfish. You don’t have to release 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 Operation Homefront, 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.
Quest “TNT” Series Calcutta: To be in the running for this Calcutta’s payout, teams must register during the first leg of the series. This season-long Calcutta has a $1,500 entry fee per boat and promises an exciting reward at the season’s end.
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.
Operation Sailfish 2025 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 15th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Sailfish Marina 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL, 33404
Take A hero Fishing Day
Date: Thursday, January 16th, 2025
Time: Lines In 8:00 AM
Time: Lines Out 2:00 PM
Time: Cocktail Reception and Awards Ceremony 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Sailfish Marina 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL, 33404
Spirit Of America Concert Featuring Toby Keith Tribute Band, Beer For My Horses
Date: Thursday, January 16th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Sailfish Marina 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL, 33404
Fishing Day 1
Date: Friday, January 17th, 2025
Lines In: 8:00 AM
Lines Out: 4:00 PM
Deadline to Submit Media: 6:00 PM
C&L Insurance Happy Hour: 5:30 PM
Location: Sailfish Marina 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL, 33404
Fishing Day 2
Date: Saturday, January 18th, 2025
Lines In: 8:00 AM
Lines Out: 4:00 PM
Deadline to Submit Media: 6:00 PM
APH Marine Construction Happy Hour: 5:30 PM
Location: Sailfish Marina 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL, 33404
Awards Ceremony
Date: Saturday, January 19th, 2025
Time: Brunch & Awards Presentations 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Sailfish Marina 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL, 33404
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
