Advertisement

Sandman Wins Sailfish Challenge

The popular team continues its success in South Florida
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Sandman‘s 17 sailfish releases in two days would win them nearly $190,000 in prize money. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com

The Sailfish Challenge, the third leg of the popular Quest for the Crest tournament series, has a multi-inlet format, allowing teams to fish from a boundary south of Miami to just north of Jupiter, Florida. This gives the participants the opportunity to find the best bite in the South Florida region. Day One’s lead fell to the team aboard Ice Box/High Gear, a 37-foot SeaVee fishing out of Hillsboro Inlet. They found the sails snapping off Boynton and released a total of 13 for the day, giving them a commanding early lead.

Sandra MacMillan, Capt. John Louie Dudas and the Sandman team released nine sailfish off Miami to land in second place for the day, while Good Call had seven releases for their day off Palm Beach. Clearly, the fish were spread throughout the tournament boundaries, giving everyone a shot at the lead.

Having won the Quest for the Crest last season, the duo of MacMillan and Dudas stayed hot on Day Two, releasing another eight sailfish win the event and pocket a grand total of $189,380 in prize money.

Advertisement

Ice Box/High Gear managed just two more sailfish on Day Two but still held on to second place and $16,675. The team on Priceless charged ahead on Day Two in their 39-foot Contender, releasing eight sailfish to jump into third place overall and claim a $63,265 payout.

Free Bird finished in fourth place in the Sailfish Challenge with 11 sailfish releases; they remain in first place in the overall 2018 Quest for the Crest series with 85 points. Sandman is currently second with 82 points, and Weez in the Keys is third with 76 points. The series title will be decided in the Final Sail tournament in Key West, Florida, which is slated for April 17-21, 2018.

2018 sailfish challenge tournament
The team is all smiles once their victory was announced. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Sandra MacMillan and Capt. John Louie Dudas are a winning duo on Sandman. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Ice Box/High Gear finished in second place with 15 sailfish releases, including 13 on the first day alone. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Priceless made the most of their tournament and finished in third place overall. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Freebird placed fourth in the Sailfish Challenge and maintained a slim lead in the overall Quest for the Crest series. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Scott Robins and the Weez in the Keys team held onto third place in the overall Quest for the Crest standings. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Native Son passes the iconic lighthouse at Hillsboro Inlet. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Charging through the inlet with release flags flying. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Finster returns to Miami Beach Marina. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Kona Blue drops off their scorecards. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Skipjac returns through Hillsboro Inlet after a day offshore. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
2018 sailfish challenge tournament
Tyler Walsh, fishing on Lisa L/The Fishing Experience, was the top junior angler. Courtesy Endless Imagery / endlessimagery.com
Advertisement

Free Email Newsletters

Sign up for free Marlin Group emails to receive expert big-game content along with key tournament updates and to get advanced notice of new expeditions as they’re introduced.

Advertisement