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The 2025 Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series (HMTS) came to a close last weekend with the aptly named It’s a Wrap tournament—the eighth and final leg of the 2025 season. While slow September fishing in Kona kept fleet numbers modest, with just 12 boats competing in the series finale, the stakes were no less significant as Kona’s tight-knit community gathered to bring down the curtain on the 2025 season.
When the dust settled, Tantrum once again proved why they were the fleet’s benchmark throughout 2025. Capt. Nick Durham guided the 41-foot G&S and his seasoned crew to 330 points from two blue marlin releases, winning on time, and taking home $38,540.
Just behind them, Second Offense, a 43-foot Allied captained by Kevin Hibbard, kept the pressure on until the very end, also tallying 330 points to secure second place and a payout of $25,035. Rounding out the leaderboard was Huntress, led by Capt. Jack Leverone, with 167 points from one blue marlin release and a quality ahi to claim third and a check for $9,725.
The Tale of Tantrum
For Capt. Durham and the crew of Tantrum, consisting of lead angler Jeff Stafford, Lee Findley, Nick Watson, and guest crew member John Lagrone, the It’s a Wrap victory was more than just a single win—it was the exclamation point on a season defined by grit, consistency, and a knack for capitalizing when it mattered most.
Their campaign began with strong showings early in the series before exploding onto the leaderboard in July. At the Kona Throw Down, angler Jeffrey Stafford weighed an impressive 715-pound blue marlin, then followed it up with a 417-pounder, catapulting the team to the top of the standings of both the HMTS and the Marlin Global Challenge. Barely catching their breath, Tantrum rolled straight into the Skins Marlin Derby, where Stafford’s 566.5-pound blue marlin helped the team rack up nearly 900 points and claim another jackpot haul. They added steady performances at the Lure Maker’s Challenge and Big Island Marlin Tournament, keeping their lead intact before sealing the deal with their victory at It’s a Wrap. Overall, Tantrum earned an astonishing $879,810 in total payouts from their 2025 HMTS season.
The numbers tell the story best: Tantrum finished the 2025 HMTS season with 5,628.5 points—more than 2,200 points ahead of their nearest rival. It was a landslide victory, cementing their place in the record books as one of the most dominant teams in the history of the series.
Upward Trajectory
Beyond the scoreboard, 2025 marked a turning point for the HMTS. Under The Marlin Group’s new ownership, the series benefited from increased visibility, enhanced sponsorship, and thoughtful additions to the overall experience. Participation was up, payouts were larger, and the team shirts, sponsor give-a-ways, and vibrant social events featuring live music and fresh local food gave the tournaments a new polish while still honoring Kona’s traditions.
Yet the story of the season was also shaped by the fishery itself. Fishing turned slow toward the final September portion of the series, leaving the fleet grinding for every bite. What could have been a deflating stretch instead became a reminder of what makes Kona—and the HMTS—so special. The camaraderie of the captains, crews, and anglers kept the spirit alive. The docks buzzed with laughter, shared meals, and stories, proving once again that this community is as much about people as it is about fish.
“Congratulations to this incredible fleet — from the Lazy Marlin Hunt to It’s A Wrap, you’ve fished hard, upheld tradition, and kept Kona’s marlin fishing legacy alive,” said Lacey Hagler, Tournament Director, as she addressed the crowd at the awards ceremony. “You should all be proud of a great season, and thank you for showing me the true ‘aloha’ spirit every step of the way in our inaugural season here in Kona.”
As the curtains closed on 2025, the HMTS not only crowned a deserving champion in Tantrum but also showcased the resilience and vibrancy of Kona’s big-game fishing fleet. In every way that mattered, the series took a meaningful step forward—setting the stage for even bigger things in 2026.
Final 2025 HMTS Top Boat Standings
- Tantrum – 5,628.5 points (Capt. Nick Durham, Mates Lee Findley & Nick Watson)
- Five Star – 3,400 points (Capt. Carlton Taniyama, Mates Bronson Cablay & Kama DeSilva)
- Last Chance – 3,005 points (Capt. Tracey Epstein, Mates Russ Nitta, Jesse Dixon, & Fisher Nitta)
- APEX – 2,911.5 points (Capt. Cyrus Widhalm, Mates Cole Crocker & Chris Hudson)
- Huntress – 2,907 points (Capt. Jack Leverone, Mates Randy Parker & Dylan Moebus)
- Snafu – 2,550 points (Capt. Bryan Toney, Mates Jah Nogues & Jessey Rudolph)
- Bwana – 2,115 points (Capt. Teddy Hoogs, Mates Bobby Cherry & Logan MCollum)
- Maverick – 1,815 points (Capt. James Bach, Mates Tiger Hundley & Ryan Ohalloran)
- Strong Persuader – 1,815 points (Capt. Shane O’Brien, Mates Charles Bowman & Mark Schubert)
- Pursuit – 1,528.5 points (Capt. Jason Holtz, Mates Chris Choy & Li’i Purdy)
Final 2025 HMTS Top Angler Standings
- Jeff Stafford – Tantrum – 6,963.5 points
- Bono Hauanio – Five Star – 4,000 points
- Chad Beaudry – Last Chance – 3,670 points
- Patrick Wieland – Huntress – 3,175 points
- Parke Berolzheimer – SNAFU/Kona Blue – 1,950 points
- Kevin Shiraki – Pursuit – 1,398.5 points
- Craig Lindner – Bwana– 1,290 points
- Jay Parker – 2nd Offense– 1,025 points
- Edgar Artecona – Lightspeed– 925 points
- Grady Mulbery – Marlin Magic– 825 points
