Celebrating a Remarkable Victory
Captain Teddy Hoogs, captain of the 46-foot Gamefisherman Bwana, has won InTheBite’s Captain of the Year award for the third time. This is the most times a captain has won the Hawaiian Division since its inaugural season in 2014. This is an impressive feat, considering the Hawaiian competition fishing out of Kona consists of some of the world’s finest blue marlin fishermen. Congratulations to Teddy, owner and veteran angler Craig Lindner, and his excellent crew, consisting of Logan McCollum, Bobby Cherry, and Carl Shepard.
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Unprecedented Achievement in Hawaiian Waters
The humble, well-liked captain won the Hawaii division in 2019, 2022 and 2023. Hoogs topped the 2023 leaderboard by scoring 2,550 points.
Overcoming Challenges: A Testament to Skill
Worth noting is, due to a cracked head on his starboard engine, Hoogs was restricted to only going eight knots during the first half of the tournament season and he still placed in seven of the 11 tournaments. Hoogs said it was reminiscent of fishing with his father, the legendary Capt. Peter Hoogs, on the original Pamela, a single screw Hawaiian Sampan.
A Captain’s Journey: Inspired by Family and Team
Hoogs is a highly competent captain with remarkable fishing skills, but he will be the first to tell you he credits his success to the help and support of others, beginning with his father, who started him on his blue water journey when Teddy was a small child. He also credits Craig Lindner, Bwana’s owner, for affording him wonderful opportunities, and his crew, who are like brothers to him. He’s a dedicated family man who knows he wouldn’t have any of it without the support of his wife and two children.
Hoogs has worked and fished with Lindner for over thirteen years. “Craig is first class,” Hoogs said. “Working with him is just a dream, I am so grateful for the opportunity Craig gives us the opportunity to compete with Kona’s finest! He takes fishing very seriously and truly enjoys the hunt, the competition and challenge. He has instilled discipline in our program by being consistent and steadfast, traits that set the tone for my crew and me. It has been such a joy working for him through the years and being a part of such a wonderful team.”
The Synergy of Teamwork and Dedication
To what does Hoogs attributes his fishing success? “Positive crew, preparation and staying focused,” he said. “Being adaptable to the ever-changing fishing conditions, and staging for the next day’s bite. We try not to overthink what we’re trying to accomplish and stay the course. My crew and I never count ourselves out of the game and have learned our luck can change any second. I’m a firm believer in a positive and open mindset.”
The Bwana: A Gamefisherman’s Dream
Hoogs credits the Bwana too, “The custom 46-foot Gamefisherman built by Michael Matlack, is a one-of-a-kind build that is absolute perfection for fishing tournaments and chasing big fish,” he said. “Gamefisherman’s sleek, low-profile design handles ever-changing sea conditions, it has a clean wake and it’s highly maneuverable. Matlack nailed this design!”
The Power of Positivity and Experience
The veteran captain knows the power of great team mojo. “Logan, Carl and Bobby are all highly experienced fisherman in their own right which definitely plays into our success,” Hoogs said. “Equally important in my opinion is the level of positivity and team dedication my crew brings on the boat come tournament time. I can’t thank them enough for their hard work, friendship and the many fond memories fishing together. Consistency is key and the fact we have all fished together for many years no doubt helps our success.”
Family: The Unsung Heroes of Sportfishing
And finally, the most important part of Teddy’s team – his family. Any fishing captain or crew member knows the strain that a busy tournament or charter season can put on a family. “It’s smiles at the dock from my number one supporters,” he said. “They are the best, my wife Amy, daughter Lilli and son Landon. When summer approaches, my family knows I will be busy for a few months. My wife and kids give me the utmost support, which allows me to devote much of my energy towards fishing during tournament season.” That energy seems to be paying off.
A Humble Acknowledgment of a Prestigious Award
“Winning the COTY is truly an incredible honor,” Hoogs said. “InTheBite’s COTY award is something I and many captains strive for, and enjoy keeping track of each season. I would like to thank InTheBite for showcasing the top captains around the globe with this achievement each year.”
2023 Bwana Scoring Events = 2550 Points
Lazy Marlin Open: 2nd Place – 300 pts. | Heaviest Marlin 568 lbs. – 500 pts.
Kona Kick Off: 3rd Place – 100 pts.
Firecracker Open: 1st Place Heaviest Marlin 440.5 lbs. – 500 pts.
Kona Throw Down: 3rd Place Heaviest Marlin 566.5 lbs. – 100 pts.
Skins Marlin Derby: 3rd Place – 100 pts.
Lure Maker Challenge: 2nd Place – 300 pts.
Big Island Marlin Tournament: 2nd Place – 300 pts. | 3rd Place Heaviest Marlin 542 lbs. – 100 pts.
Hawaiian Marlin Tournament Series: Champion – 250 pts.
The InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup stands as the premier global competition for professional sportfishing captains. Unique in its approach, this competition is the only one in the world that offers a measurable way to compare the tournament achievements of sportfishing captains. Competitors vie for the highly coveted InTheBite Captain of the Year Award across five divisions: East Coast, Florida, Gulf Coast, Hawaii, and International. The Cup encompasses 90 sanctioned tournaments with a scoring system that awards points based on tournament placements and marlin catches. Points are awarded as follows: 1st Place earns 500 points, 2nd Place 300 points, and 3rd Place 100 points, with additional points for the Heaviest Marlin. The Hawaii Division uniquely awards points for 2nd and 3rd Place Heaviest Marlin as well. Achieving success in the InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup signifies a major milestone in a captain’s professional career.
