Florida’s Palm Beach “Richest Sailfish Tournament” Begins Dec. 11
OutdoorHub 11.26.13
On December 11th Sailfish Marina will be inundated with the best sailfish teams in the country when the tournament fleet returns for the second annual Operation Sailfish competition. The two-day battle against Sailfish begins on Friday, Dec. 13th and continues through Saturday the 14th. Competing for a purse in excess of $500,000, these teams will have to prove their mastery of sailfish tactics and hope for just a little bit of luck. In 2012, team Advanced Roofing released 23 sailfish and took home a check for $172,625! Overall, 400 sailfish were released in 2012. Will the record be broken in 2013?
Placing in Operation Sailfish isn’t just about winning the cash. This tournament is the first leg in the reputable Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series. During each leg of the series, teams will be assigned points based on where they finish. Claiming the highest scores will put those teams in line for the most iconic achievement in competitive Sailfishing — the Quest for the Crest Jacket. Team Blue Time took home the accolade in 2012. This four leg series runs from December through April extending from West Palm Beach to Key Largo.
Besides the motivation to establish a lead in the chase for the jacket, Altier Jewelers, the official jeweler of the Quest for the Crest, has another incentive for the teams. The first place team will receive 6 custom jewelry style dog tags! The military style dog tags commemorate the patriotic undertones of the tournament. Once again, Operation Sailfish will be infused with a military theme to show our support for the men and women who fight or have fought for our country.
In honor of the men and women who have served our country, a new twist has been added to the 2013 Operation Sailfish event. Operation Homefront, a national 501c(3) military based charity and beneficiary of Operation Sailfish, will invite select military heroes out for a day of Sailfishing on Dec 12th together with some of the teams that will be competing in the tournament. Military flags will fly in honor of our country, their service to it and every sailfish that they release during the day of fishing!
The kick-off party and captains meeting will be held December 11th at 6pm at the Buccaneer, which is next door to Sailfish Marina. The opening ceremony, including the presenting of the colors and the singing of the national anthem will follow soon after. In addition, the William T. Dwyer High School marching band will conduct a patriotic performance in honor of out military following the final day of fishing on Saturday.
Credentials are required for access to all event activities. After November 21st, registration is $4,500 per team (plus tax). For more information on Operation Sailfish visit www.operationsailfish.com or call (954) 725-4010. To reserve a room or slip at Sailfish Marina call the marina office at (561) 844-1724.
