The 83 anglers in last weekend’s Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament enjoyed a welcome change from the 2022 tournament’s 30 mph wind gusts and four- to eight-foot seas as the contest’s 2023 iteration treated them to calm seas, a light breeze and sunny skies.
On April 21 and 22, the goal was simple: race to catch and safely release as many sailfish as possible over 15 hours of competition, with an option to apply research tags supplied by Gray Taxidermy to caught fish. By the end of the tournament’s second day, only two fish separated the top three podium positions, with three boats reporting hooked fish a mere minute before tournament officials called “lines out” at 3 p.m.
Tales of the ones that got away were told at an awards banquet on Saturday night hosted by Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters and catered by Brutus Seafood Restaurant and Market. Winners received trophies from Gray Taxidermy along with artwork by Eddie Forbes Art, with top teams earning cash prizes.
Now in its second year, proceeds from the tournament will benefit Mission Fishin’, an organization dedicated to providing memorable fishing trips and other marine adventures for special needs children, foster children and their families who would not otherwise be afforded these opportunities. Tournament director Katie Lewis confirmed that the contest will return in 2024. More information is at marathonsailfish.com.
Executive Decision’s Jill Paglia earns the tournament’s Top Female Angler title. 
Team Killbox races to its next spot. 
Luca Picariello keeps an eye out for his next target. 
Team Big Game earns top honors for the most tagged fish in the tournament. 
With 500 points from five caught fish, Team Vice Versa claims the tournament’s top prize. 
Team Big Game takes second place with 400 points. 
Team No Slack claims third place with 300 points. 
Big Game Sportfishing looks for their next catch. 
With only a light breeze throughout the weekend, Team Blue Magic uses a helium balloon to get its kites flying. 
Capt. Ariel Medero works the helm for Team Big Game. 
Capt. Marty Lewis, right, maneuvers the Main One into position at first light. 
The sun breaks the horizon on day one of the Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament.
Team Winners
ViceVersa – 500 points – Capt. Sam Milazzo, mate Tyler Rodriguez, anglers Justin Miller, Marc Toledo, Scott Stoky, Doug Mientkiewicz, Brandon Simmons and Trevor Finns.
Big Game – 400 points – Capt. Ariel Medero, mate Robert “Reggie” Hiro, anglers Doug and Lorri Cwanek, Brandon Biffell and Trace Goodwin.
No Slack – 300 points – Capt. James “Bucko” Platt, mate Ely Hernandez, anglers Melissa Bennet, Jared Dieguez, Kavon Mehranipornejad and James Platt III.
Top Male Angler – Tyler Rodriguez/ViceVersa
Top Female Angler – Jill Paglia/Executive Decision
Top Junior Angler – Corbin Buckley/Killbox
