The fourth annual Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament wrapped up on April 26 after two days of offshore angling in the Florida Keys. The tournament saw 17 boats and 94 anglers vying for top honors fishing in an expanded tournament grounds from Key West to Islamorada, culminating in an awards banquet and fundraising benefit held at Aquarium Encounters in Marathon. Day one of the tournament totaled 34 sailfish caught and released, with another 18 successfully released in a slower second day of fishing.
Cash prizes paid out to winners, including the 2025 tournament champion Team Killbox, totaled more than $100,000. Proceeds from the tournament, directed by Katie Lewis, benefit the nonprofit Mission Fishin’, which provides free on-water excursions for families with children with disabilities or special needs, along with local schools and Special Olympics teams in the Marathon area.
Photos by MIKEY FINIGUERRA/MFin Media
THE WINNERS’ CIRCLE
1st Overall: Killbox (9 released)
2nd Overall: Main One (5 released)
3rd Overall: Rhumline-Land and Sea Market (5 released)
Top Male Angler: Mark Busch (Main One/3 released)
Top Female Angler: Jill Paglia (Executive Decision/2 released)
Top Junior Angler: Luca Picariello (Silent Hunter/2 released)
Most Tagged Sailfish: Yeti or Not (3)
