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The 23rd Annual Sailfish Challenge once again showcased why Palm Beach sits at the heart of competitive sailfishing. As part of the Bluewater Movements Quest for the Crest series, the two-day event delivered shifting conditions, strategic adjustments and a leaderboard that remained fluid until the final minute of fishing.
Day One unfolded with classic winter sailfish conditions, and the fleet spread across both ends of the boundary searching for consistency. Off The Wall and Sandman emerged as early pace-setters, capitalizing on steady action to position themselves atop the standings. Behind them, a tight pack of contenders hovered within striking distance. Among them was Priceless, fresh off back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Silver Sailfish Derby and Operation Sailfish. Fishing the north end, the team recorded six releases to finish seventh after the opening day—well within reach, but with work to do.
Day Two brought adjustments across the fleet. Some boats returned to productive water; others gambled on relocation. Priceless made one of the more notable moves, shifting south after clearing Sailfish Marina at first light with fresh baits and a renewed push.
Under the direction of Capt. Jorge Sanchez and backed by a seasoned crew, Priceless steadily climbed the leaderboard throughout the day. Meanwhile, Off The Wall and Sandman continued to add to their totals, keeping the pressure squarely on the rest of the field. As lines-out approached, both teams were tied at 17 releases, with Priceless sitting just one fish back at 16.
With one fish already hooked and less than a minute remaining, Priceless called in two additional bites. In a composed but urgent sequence, the crew executed cleanly, and at 4:01 p.m.—one minute past lines-out—successfully completed three releases. The late surge pushed them to 19 total releases and into first place overall, while also securing Day Two Late Bite honors and multiple calcutta wins.
When the final numbers were tallied, Priceless, captained by Jorge Sanchez, claimed first place with 19 releases and a total weekend payout of $245,710. Finishing just behind them was Off The Wall, whose 17-release performance over two days secured second place and a strong payday after leading or co-leading much of the event. Close on their heels was Sandman, also with 17 releases, rounding out the top three after remaining firmly in contention from the opening morning through the final minutes.
In the end, the 23rd Annual Sailfish Challenge was a reminder of what defines this fishery: precision, adaptability and the understanding that in the South Florida sailfish circuit, no lead is safe until the clock runs out.
