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Few places in the world carry the same weight in the big-game fishing community as Kona, Hawaii. The island’s waters are steeped in history, filled with stories of giant marlin, legendary personalities and a distinctly unique fishing culture. And in 2025, that legacy grew even stronger.
This season marked the beginning of a new era as The Marlin Group officially acquired the Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series (HMTS) from founder Capt. Jody Bright, ushering in fresh resources and global visibility while honoring the tradition that makes Kona unique. Participation throughout the entire 2025 series was up across the board, payouts climbed, and each event featured lively kickoff parties, awards ceremonies filled with camaraderie, and team shirts that quickly became collector’s items thanks to the artistry of Conch Republic, whose custom apparel captured the essence of Kona’s fishing culture.
The HMTS began in March with the Lazy Marlin Hunt, where 13 boats took to the water under challenging conditions. Snafu, captained by Bryan Toney, wasted no time setting the pace, releasing seven blue marlin for 1,155 points and the first victory of the year. Close behind were Tantrum and Five Star, both showing early form that would carry through the season and keep their names near the top of the leaderboard. The momentum carried into late June with the Kona Kick Off, the traditional summer opener that drew a fleet of 31 teams. Five Star, the 53-foot Spencer run by Capt. Carlton Taniyama, put on a commanding performance, releasing four blue marlin and one striped marlin to secure 710 points and the tournament’s largest payout of more than $71,000. Last Chance and 2nd Offense followed in close pursuit, proving early that this summer’s battles would be tightly contested.
Just a week later, fireworks filled both the sky and the scoreboard at the Firecracker Open, which coincided with the July 4th holiday and the global Blue Marlin World Cup. A dramatic three-way tie atop the leaderboard was decided by the clock, with Huntress, the 43-foot Merritt captained by Jack Leverone, claiming victory thanks to the earliest second release. Tantrum and Last Chance were right behind, their consistent performances adding to the mounting tension of the season.
That intensity only grew in July, when Tantrum began a run that defined the 2025 series. At the Kona Throw Down, Capt. Nick Durham and angler Jeffrey Stafford stunned the fleet with a 715-pounder and a 417-pounder, collecting $329,270 and surging to the top of the HMTS and the Marlin Global Challenge. Barely pausing to celebrate, Tantrum carried that momentum straight into the Skins Marlin Derby, where Stafford weighed a 566.5-pounder and the team amassed nearly 900 points. Their clean sweep of the points and jackpots brought in another $390,000 and cemented their reputation as the team to beat.
The season’s rhythm shifted slightly with the Lure Maker’s Challenge, a celebration of Hawaiian lure-making history that blends tradition with competition. Huntress once again showed their strength, releasing eight blue marlin to win first place and taking home more than $60,000 in prize money, while Kraken Lures, represented by Team Apex, made their mark as winners of the Branded Division. Tantrum remained relentless, adding seven more releases to their tally and widening their lead in the overall series standings.
By late August, the circuit turned its focus to the 38th Annual Big Island Marlin Tournament, one of Kona’s oldest and most storied events. Just days before the tournament, Tantrum electrified the docks with a grander blue marlin, sending a jolt of anticipation through the fleet. But when the competition ended, it was Bwana, captained by Teddy Hoogs, that stole the spotlight. For Hoogs, the victory was particularly special. His father, the legendary Capt. Peter Hoogs, helped found this tournament alongside Bright back in 1987. Their 330-point performance secured a meaningful win, placing their name on the perpetual trophy alongside legends of Kona’s past. Five Star mounted a strong Day 3 push to take second place, while Tantrum, consistent as ever, added another podium finish in third.
The 2025 season wrapped in September with the aptly named It’s a Wrap Tournament, the eighth and final leg of the HMTS. Twelve boats competed despite slow fishing, determined to finish strong. In the end, Tantrum rose to the occasion, going head-to-head with 2nd Offense as both teams posted 330 points. Tantrum won on time to secure the victory and stamp an exclamation mark on their season-long dominance. 2nd Offense claimed a hard-fought second, while Huntress rounded out the podium with 167 points.
For Durham and his team, the victory was more than just another trophy; it was the culmination of a year defined by determination and dominance. By winning the final event of the series, Tantrum not only secured the 2025 HMTS Championship but also underscored their reputation as one of the most formidable teams in Kona’s history.
From early spring to late summer and into fall, the 2025 HMTS delivered it all—giant marlin, strong competition, rich tradition and fresh energy. While fishing slowed in the back half of the series, the competition never lost its edge, and the atmosphere never lost its magic.
“It’s an absolute privilege to work with such a passionate fleet in a place as special as Kona,” reflects tournament director Lacey Hagler. “This season was a testament to what makes this fishery truly world-class—dedicated crews, formidable billfish, and a unique community that shows up year after year to keep the tradition alive. I’m proud of what we accomplished together in 2025 and deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it such a memorable year.”
In every measure—participation, payouts and prestige—this season was a success. With The Marlin Group’s stewardship, the HMTS has stepped confidently into a new era, blending the spirit of Kona’s heritage with the excitement of modern big-game fishing. Mahalo to all our friends in Kona, and we can’t wait to see you next year for the 2026 Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series.
2025 HMTS Final Standings
Top Boat Standings
- Tantrum: 5,628.5 points (Capt. Nick Durham, mates Lee Findley and Nick Watson)
- Five Star: 3,400 points (Capt. Carlton Taniyama, mates Bronson Cablay and Kama DeSilva)
- Last Chance: 3,005 points (Capt. Tracey Epstein, mates Russ Nitta, Jesse Dixon and Fisher Nitta)
- Apex: 2,911.5 points (Capt. Cyrus Widhalm, mates Cole Crocker and Chris Hudson)
- Huntress: 2,907 points (Capt. Jack Leverone, mates Randy Parker and Dylan Moebus)
- Snafu: 2,550 points (Capt. Bryan Toney, mates Jah Nogues and Jessey Rudolph)
- Bwana: 2,115 points (Capt. Teddy Hoogs, mates Bobby Cherry and Logan McCollum)
- Maverick: 1,815 points (Capt. James Bach, mates Tiger Hundley and Ryan O’Halloran)
- Strong Persuader: 1,815 points (Capt. Shane O’Brien, mates Charles Bowman and Mark Schubert)
- Pursuit: 1,528.5 points (Capt. Jason Holtz, mates Chris Choy and Li’i Purdy)
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
