Table of contents for March/April 2026 in Marlin

Every angler has a favorite place to fish. A home port. A trusted stretch of ocean that feels familiar the moment the throttles come back and the baits go in. But what if that was the only place you could fish for the rest of your life? No matter how special the fishery or how sentimental I felt toward it, I think that would be torture, especially knowing what’s out there. The beauty of this sport is there’s so much—always another horizon, another fishery, another stretch of water that hasn’t yet been touched. That restlessness runs deep for me. Even as a kid, beach vacations baffled me. Watching people sit in chairs reading for hours, content to let the day drift by—I could never quite wrap my head around it.…

Shiny reels, abalone-shell-faced lures and cutting-edge sonar might steal the spotlight, but when it’s time to do work offshore, key tools and competent operators in the cockpit are what matter most. This gear section is dedicated to the true tools of the trade, featuring new essentials and some often-overlooked items that are used day in and day out. From crimpers and cutters to needles, belts and gloves, these are the tools that quietly earn their keep. They may not be glamorous, but they’re something far more important: essential. BO JENYNS OBADU WIRING GLOVES Crafted by accomplished big-game angler Bo Jenyns, Obadu wiring gloves draw from his deep roots on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and a career spent targeting some of the largest fish on the planet. That experience translates into…

Some records arrive with fanfare. Others surface quietly, in fog so thick, you can barely see past the bow. And every so often, a record comes together in a way no one could script, pairing decades of experience with beginner’s luck, and patience with raw endurance—all in a fishery still revealing just how much it has changed. That was the case off Virginia Beach this January, when High Hopes, captained by Capt. David Wright, returned to Rudee Inlet towing an Atlantic bluefin tuna that would ultimately tip the scales at 832 pounds—a new Virginia state record. At the other end of the rod was 23-year-old Mike Rogerson, a project engineer from Virginia Beach who had never fought a fish remotely close to that size—and nearly hadn’t been on the trip…

The Mediterranean Sea is the deep blue heart of a region rich in the history of fish, fishing and fishermen. Twenty-two countries across three continents border its shores, creating a diverse region stretching from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Levant in the east. Historical records dating back more than 3,000 years confirm that bluefin tuna have been hunted here since at least Phoenician times, around 1200 BC, likely using some of the earliest organized tuna-net systems. Vast in scale, the Mediterranean covers nearly 970,000 square miles, includes more than 3,300 islands, and reaches depths of over 5,100 meters. Its highly varied seabed—marked by ridges, canyons and seamounts—creates prime bluewater habitat throughout the basin. Two billfish species are common: Mediterranean spearfish and broadbill swordfish. White marlin are reported…

NOW WE’RE FISHING Lines are set, baits are swimming cleanly, and the cockpit is squared away. Everyone slides into their respective positions with eyes locked on the spread. Thomas Spencer captures the moment in the cockpit immediately after the trap is sprung, when the hardest part begins: patience. The seas roll, rods bounce, headsets crackle, and nobody blinks, scanning the peaks and troughs of the angry ocean. It’s the quiet before chaos. All that’s left now is the bite.…

Can you picture a world without tournaments in our sport? Whether you love them or hate them, there’s no denying that tournaments form the beating heart of big-game fishing. They provide the platform where elite crews and weekend warriors alike test themselves against the ocean and one another; where dockside friendships are forged; where millions of dollars are won and generously raised; where research is advanced; and where the spectacle of our sport is shared with the outside world. At their best, these events fuse fierce competition with the tight-knit bonds of community. As The Marlin Group expands its role as the chronicler—and champion—of bluewater sport fishing, we are excited to announce the launch of the new Marlin Tournament of the Year Award, the latest honor to be added to…

SILVER SAILFISH DERBY January 7-10 TOP TEAMS FIRST PLACE: Native Son, Capt. Art Sapp, 8 sailfish releases SECOND PLACE: Priceless, Capt. Jorge Sanchez, 7 sailfish releases THIRD PLACE (TIE): No Choos/Reel Intense & Goombay Smash, 6 sailfish releases TOP ANGLERS FIRST PLACE: Matthew Rodriguez, 5 sailfish releases SECOND PLACE: Keith McDonald, 4 sailfish releases THIRD PLACE (TIE): Darrell Davidson & Darren Newhart, 3 sailfish releases TOP JUNIOR ANGLER: Logan Hall TOP LADY ANGLER: Morgan Smith TOURNAMENT INFORMATION TOTAL PARTICIPATION: 50 boats CATCH INFORMATION: 106 sailfish released OPERATION SAILFISH January 14–17 TOP TEAMS FIRST PLACE: Reel Deal, Capt. Koby Dobbelaer, 10 sailfish releases SECOND PLACE: Priceless, Capt. Jorge Sanchez, 9 sailfish releases THIRD PLACE: Viva, 8 sailfish releases TOP ANGLERS TOP MALE ANGLER: Capt. Jorge Sanchez, Priceless, 4 sailfish releases TOP FEMALE ANGLER: Sandra MacMillan, Sandman, 2…

Do you ever walk down the dock and look at boat transoms? I always look to see the names and if they have any artwork, but I also check to see where they are registered. Years ago, it was always the owner’s hometown or where the boat spent most of its time. If you lived in Manteo, North Carolina, and the boat stayed there, that’s what it would say. But that isn’t always the case these days. Back in the 1980s, we started seeing more boats registered in Delaware. That’s for several reasons. The most prominent was because Delaware doesn’t have a sales tax. Back then, many states required sales tax ranging from 4 percent to 8 percent. On a $2 million boat, that could add up to $80,000 or…

WHITE LIGHTNING Its electric blues, violets and iridescent greens make you wonder why such a radiant fish was ever saddled with so plain a name as “white marlin.” Harry Hindmarsh freezes the instant where elegance meets acrobatics, those winglike pectorals flared wide and their rounded tips—the calling card that separates this aerial artist from its brawnier sibling. Sleek, impossibly graceful, and all too often overshadowed, the white marlin earns its reverence here as an exquisite study in speed and symmetry, and one of the ocean’s most refined predators.…

Each year, two of big-game fishing’s most influential non-profits pause their important work to recognize the people who push the industry forward, both for what they’ve accomplished in the past season and for the careers that shaped the sport itself. The Billfish Foundation’s Tag & Release Awards spotlight anglers, captains and crews who led the way in conservationminded fishing over the past year, while the International Game Fish Association’s Tommy Gifford Awards honor a lifetime of excellence behind the helm. Different missions with a shared impact, both celebrations recognize the individuals who move the needle in big-game fishing and inspire the next generation to aim higher. If your calendar allows, make a point to stop in, raise a glass, and support a worthy cause while celebrating the men and women…

After many seasons offshore, you learn about all the little details that truly matter and make a difference. You become obsessive about these small factors that all help you consistently put a great day of fishing together. Once a fish shows up in the spread and commits, there’s one piece of the system that immediately takes center stage: your leader and its connection points. In my earlier years freelancing on different boats in multiple locations, I saw more fish lost due to the leader or its connections than anything else. This didn’t happen because the material was bad, but because the setup and the connection choices didn’t match the situation. There is a proper leader type for every situation, and certainly no “one size fits all” when it comes to…

So, you want to own a competitive sport-fishing team? You’d better make sure you have plenty of money—and more importantly, manage it well. As the founder and CFO at Barclay Breland, a wealth-management firm located in South Florida, we see firsthand what it takes to fund and sustain these operations. Competitive sport fishing isn’t just a passion project; it’s a recurring cash-flow commitment that demands planning, discipline and the right expectations. This article is subjective in more ways than you can imagine, but the goal here is simplicity, not precision. In every category, there will be teams that spend far more and others that spend far less. Think of this as a framework for conversation around capital deployment, liquidity and ongoing operating costs—because owning a competitive program isn’t about whether…

Freshly splashed and bound for the Florida Keys, Lady Kimberly is the newest 46 Fly Bridge Gameboat model to leave Release Boatworks. Designed by naval architect Erwin Gerards, the build reflects a performance-first approach to modern sport-fishing design. I recently spent a morning aboard with Release Boatworks owner Jim Turner off Stuart, Florida. A relaxed walk-through quickly turned into a deeper discussion that kept circling back to the same theme: Build a highly capable fishing tool, keep the fundamentals pure, and refine everything that affects how the boat performs offshore. COCKPIT AND BRIDGE The numbers back up the feeling of space within the cockpit. The boat’s 15-foot-9-inch beam and 150 square feet offer a broad, open working arena that never feels pinched. Featuring a transom livewell, Lady Kimberly is uncluttered…

I really wasn’t sure how I was going to step aboard the new Pursuit S 388 when I first saw it at the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The boat was absolutely packed with people. Yet despite the hustle and bustle and near claustrophobic breakdown, I walked away thoroughly impressed. Growing up, I fished on an older Pursuit Offshore model but had never stepped foot on one of its center-consoles. So, when the opportunity to sea-trial this new model away from the boatshow crowds arose in January, I was excited at the opportunity to broaden my horizons. South Florida rarely delivers true winter mornings, but this one did: low-40-degree air temps and small craft advisories offshore. So, instead of blasting into the open ocean, we idled out and spent…

If you’ve ever walked down the dock or attended an industry event with Michelle Gaylord (previously Makmann), you know what it’s like to stroll beside a celebrity. Everyone seems to know her. The difference is that Gaylord has never chased attention; she earned it through years of exceptional work, consistency, and showing up whenever and wherever the sport demanded. As Marlin’s newly appointed Atlantic tournament director—a role readers will learn more about later in this issue—she remains what she’s always been: the quiet, powerful fixture that’s never far from the action. Cheers, Michelle! M What first drew you to the water? I was always a water kid. I grew up [going] between California and Florida, so it was beach days, snorkeling, fishing off bridges—anything ocean-related grabbed me. Even when my…

The IGFA recently announced the six recipients of its prestigious 2026 Tommy Gifford Award, one of the sport’s highest honors. Named for legendary captain Tommy Gifford (1896-1970), the award recognizes careers defined by innovation, professionalism and mentorship. Selected by the IGFA Legendary Captains and Crew Committee chaired by Capt. Skip Smith, the honor celebrates not momentary success, but a lifetime devoted to raising the bar. FRANK ARDINE (1903-1979) pioneered South Florida sailfishing, mentoring generations while dominating daily catch totals long before modern electronics. TIM CARLILE, a Florida Keys icon, joins other rare inshore honorees for his more than six decades spent mastering bonefish, tarpon and permit while championing conservation and education. EDDIE HERBERT built a globe-trotting career highlighted by his long run with Reel Tight, helping define professional big-game operations from…

Hon-maguro or “true tuna” refers to the Pacific or Atlantic bluefin tuna, considered the highest quality, most prized species of tuna for sushi and sashimi. Japan is an island nation surrounded by the sea. Fishing is woven deeply into its traditions, culture and cuisine. From coastal villages to modern mega-cities, the sea is revered for its beauty and respected for its power and bounty. Fishing is rooted in discipline and respect, and reflects the values of Japan’s samurai traditions, where patience and precision are admired over spectacle. The pursuit of tuna in Japan is governed by tradition, strict rules and ever-changing regulations. So, I was beyond excited to be invited to fish the fabled Tsugaru Strait in northern Japan for Oma bluefin tuna. This is a mythical place spoken of…

Two exciting developments are setting the tone for an electric tournament season ahead: a seasoned insider stepping into the Atlantic tournament director role, and the Offshore World Championship rolling out bold changes to its competitive formula. From the Atlantic basin to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, The Marlin Group is gearing up for an incredible 2026 tournament season. MICHELLE GAYLORD NAMED ATLANTIC TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR The Marlin Group has appointed Michelle Gaylord as its new Atlantic tournament director, formalizing a role she has effectively been shaping for more than a decade across the brand’s premier events. A fixture on docks and leaderboards from Bermuda to Central America, Gaylord brings deep institutional knowledge, technical expertise, and a rare behind-the-lens perspective to the position. Her résumé spans some of the most respected events in…

English writers William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope weren’t sailfish fanatics. But they did help cultivate the expression, “Time flies when you’re having fun,” and that certainly applies to the winter sailfish season in South Florida. The 2026 Buccaneer Cup, which celebrated its 63rd anniversary in January, is one of the premier events in sailfishing, with Debaitable emerging as this year’s top team. Based at the Buccaneer Marina in Palm Beach Shores, the Cup gives teams the option of choosing which pair of days to fish out of the three scheduled. Live or dead bait is allowed, with live bait scoring 200 points, while dead-bait releases are worth 300. Blue marlin score 400 points, regardless. Teams can only fish six rods, and only artificial or dead-bait teasers or dredges are allowed.…

While much of today’s custom sport-fishing market continues its steady march toward ever-larger platforms, Michael Rybovich & Sons has taken a deliberate step in the opposite direction. Scout marks the storied builder’s return to the 40-foot class, a size Rybovich has not produced under its modern name—and not at all under the Rybovich lineage—in more than 25 years. COCKPIT AND HELM DECK Stepping aboard into the cockpit immediately highlights what defines the Rybovich reputation: flawless teak workmanship. The cockpit sole, covering boards, and even the helm console are executed with precision, every joint clean and deliberate. Stepping up to the helm deck, the layout opens into a highly adaptable entertaining space. Ample seating wraps the deck, with removable backrests that allow the aft seating to function as either a rear-facing…

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the saying goes. In my experience, that sure holds true when it comes to keeping the boat in top shape and trouble-free during the fishing season. With so many complex and varied systems on board, it takes a concerted effort to keep them running smoothly, with the goal of reaching or eliminating failures altogether. To stay ahead of the curve, I liken it to giving the boat a survey, checking every system top to bottom from bow to stern. I’ve seen plenty of owners focus on the pretty stuff—the interior soft goods and outward appearance—while scrimping or flat out ignoring the critical mechanical components that will shut down the operation at the least opportune time—typically, when family or guests are…