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Leg One of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series wasted no time reminding the big-game world why Operation Sailfish has become one of the most anticipated stops on the South Florida circuit. For the fourth straight year, the event broke participation records, packing Sailfish Marina Resort with a 68-boat fleet, a $612,500 purse, and the promise of championship dog tags waiting at the end of the week.
Across two days of competition, teams battled shifting conditions and a tough sailfish bite, ultimately combining for 183 releases. Every point mattered, every call-in carried weight—and when the dust settled, the opener delivered the kind of dramatic finish that defines a marquee event.
The tournament began January 14 with a Captain’s Meeting at Sailfish Marina Resort, highlighted by a color-guard presentation from Operation Homefront cadets that set a meaningful tone for the week. That mission carried into Take A Hero Fishing Day, where 46 veterans fished alongside competing teams in support of Operation Homefront—a tradition that continues to define the heart of Operation Sailfish.
When lines went in on January 16, the energy amongst the fleet was high, but the bite was tough. By day’s end, 107 sailfish releases were on the board, and several teams made early statements.
Priceless, captained by Jorge Sanchez, set the bar with six releases to seize the Day One lead and sweep both Tier One and Tier Two Daily Calcuttas. Close behind, Native Son / Steel Got It, led by Art Sapp, matched the release count and stayed firmly within striking distance.
REMIX capitalized on the early bite under Capt. JC Cleare, stacking five quick releases aboard their Contender 44ST and cashing in on the Early Bite bonus. Double Take and Taylor Jean rounded out the top five, keeping the leaderboard compressed heading into the final day.
While sailfish dominated the spotlight, the scales told their own story. Tree Money delivered a 53.4-pound aggregate to take top honors in the Day One meatfish calcutta.
Conditions tightened on January 17, and so did the leaderboard. The fleet scratched for opportunities as the bite slowed, producing only 76 releases.
Reel Deal, captained by Koby Dobbelaer, put themselves back in the hunt with a strong Day Two push after opening the day in fifth place. Living Water / Makin’ Time and Fish Tales also made steady moves, while Reel Lucky grabbed the Early Bite bonus with three quick morning releases.
As lines-out approached, Reel Deal and Priceless were locked at nine releases apiece, with Viva quietly holding third and keeping pressure on the leaders.
Then, with just two minutes remaining, Dobbelaer called in a late hookup on Reel Deal. The fleet waited. More than thirty minutes later, the call finally came through—release confirmed. The walk-off fish vaulted Reel Deal into first place overall, followed by Priceless in second and Viva in third.
Reel Deal closed out Operation Sailfish with champion dog tags, a sweep of multiple calcuttas, and tournament-high earnings of $256,340.
The Quest for the Crest series now turns its attention to Leg Two of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series, with the Sailfish Challenge set to take place February 18–22, 2026, in Pompano Beach, Florida.
