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The 13th Annual Final Sail once again proved why it stands as one of South Florida’s most electric finishes. Set in Coconut Grove as the climactic third leg of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series, this year’s finale delivered tight leaderboard swings and strong fishing to create a fitting close to the 2026 Quest.
After two days of intense competition and more than 200 sailfish releases, it was Carolina Reel Men, led by Capt. Sean O’Donnell, that stole the spotlight in the finale itself. Sitting just outside striking distance after Day One, the team erupted on Day Two—stacking early releases and capitalizing on a momentum-shifting quad hookup to surge to 22 total fish. The performance locked up the overall win, a sweep of key calcuttas and an impressive $140,020 payday.
Close behind, True Grit, under Capt. Ryland Dickey, delivered one of the most consistent showings of the tournament. After edging out Day One with seven early releases, the team added 11 more on Day Two to finish with 18. Their steady execution across both days translated into a runner-up finish and $91,925 in total winnings.
Rounding out the podium, Vitamin Sea, captained by Matt Kniskern, stayed firmly in the hunt all weekend. Their 16-fish total, highlighted by a strong Day Two push, secured third overall and more than $32,000 in earnings.
But while Carolina Reel Men owned the moment in Coconut Grove, the bigger picture belonged to Reel Deal. With the conclusion of Final Sail marking the end of the third and final leg, it was Reel Deal that emerged atop the Quest for the Crest standings, earning the ultimate prize—the coveted burgundy jackets and the title of series champions.
It’s a fitting distinction in a format that rewards not just a single standout performance, but consistency across an elite, season-long field. Final Sail may crown the weekend’s winner—but the Crest belongs to the team that proves it over time.
