The InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup is the world’s foremost competition for professional sportfishermen. As the only quantifiable metric for comparing tournament success among captains, winning the InTheBite Captain of the Year Award is a significant achievement in the sportfishing world.

The Cup is composed of five divisions that span the globe:

East Coast
Florida
Gulf Coast
Hawaii
International

This prestigious competition includes 90 sanctioned tournaments, providing a comprehensive measure of success across the sportfishing landscape.

Scoring System

1st Place: 500 points
2nd Place: 300 points
3rd Place: 100 points
Heaviest Marlin: 500 points
Overall Championship: 250 points

Note: A minimum of 12 boats per tournament is required for points to be awarded.

Captain of the Year Phillip Fender left and the boats owner right

team supreme with a winning tournament check during the award ceremony

2025 East Coast Standings:

Capt. Phillip Fender / Claytime / 1,450 pts.

Charleston Billfish Invitational, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
SC Blue Marlin Invitational, 1st Place, 500 pts.
South Carolina’s Governor’s Cup Series Champion, 250 pts.

Capt. Cordes Lucas / Bull Pen / 900 pts.

HMY Lowcountry Cup Billfish Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Carolina Billfish Classic, 3rd Place, 100 pts.

Capt. Sean Dooley / Viking 74 / 800 pts.

Charleston Billfish Invitational, 1st Place, 500 pts.
HMY Lowcountry Cup Billfish Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.

Capt. Blane Birch / Taylor Jean / 800 pts.

HUK Big Fish Classic, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
White Marlin Open, 1st Place White Marlin Release, 500 pts.

Capt. Tyler Dufresne / Lights Out / 800 pts.

HUK Big Fsh Classic, 1st Place, 500 pts.
White Marlin Open, 2nd Place White Marlin Release, 300 pts.

Capt. Brent Gaskill / Builder’s Choice / 650 pts.

Swansboro Rotary Memorial Day Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Past East Coast Division Champions
2024: Capt Cordes Lucas // Buddy Rowe // 1750 pts.
2023: Capt. Geno Sauers // Trash Man // 1,650 pts.
2022: Capt. Jay Weaver // Blue Sky // 1,450 pts.
2021: Capt. Miles Herring // Glazed // 1,000 pts.
2020: Capt. Russell Sinclair // Wave Paver // 1,000 pts.
2019: Capt. Ryan Knapp // Top Dog // 1,000 pts.
2018: Capt. Alan Neiford // Mister Pete // 1,750 pts.
2017: Capt. Chucky Moore // Gryphon // 1,050 pts.
2016: Capt. Harvey Shiflet // Anticipation // 1,000 pts.
2015: Capt. Gary Richardson // Reel Passion // 2,250 pts.
2014: Capt. Mike King // Stream Weaver // 1,100 pts.

2025 Florida Standings:

Capt. Dave Dalfo / Fish Camp / 1,000 pts.

Pelican Yacht Club Billfish Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Gold Cup Team Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Drew Rhonehouse / Jolene / 750 pts.

Operation Sailfish / 1st Place, 500 pts.
Quest for the Crest Series Champion, 250 pts.

Capt. Marty Lewis / Main One, Main Attraction, 600 pts.

Islamorada Fishing Club’s Sailfish Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.

Capt. Randy Yates / Mallard / 600 pts.

Silver Sailish Derby, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Bucanneer Cup, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Andrew Dotterweich / Fish On / 500 pts.

Silver Sailish Derby, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Robert Collins / Back in Business / 500 pts.

Islamorada Fishing Club’s Sailfish Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Brian Cone / Trophy Hunter / 500 pts.

Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Art Sapp / Native Son / 500 pts.

Sailfish Challenge, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. JC Cleare / Remix / 500 pts.

Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Casey Hunt / Right Choice / 500 pts.

Viking Key West Challenge, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Past Florida Division Champions
2024: Capt John Dudas // Sandman // 1500 pts.
2023: Capt. JC Cleare // Remix // 1,050 pts.
2022: Capt. Quinton Dieterle // Contender One // 1,050 pts.
2021: Capt. Nick Carullo // Priceless, Showtime, Remix // 1,350 pts.
2020: Capt. John Dudas // Sandman // 1,000 pts.
2019: Capt. Nick Carullo // Showtime // 1,250 pts.
2018: Capt. John Dudas // Sandman // 1,200 pts.
2017: Capt. Glenn Cameron // Floridian // 1,100 pts.
2016: Capt. Scott Fawcett // Off the Chain // 1,300 pts.
2015: Capt. Jim Mulcahy // BAR South // 850 pts.
2014: Capt. Wink Doerzbacher // Showtime! // 1,950 pts.

2025 Gulf Coast Standings:

Capt. Chase Lake / Team Supreme / 2,200 pts.

Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Orange Beach Billfish Classic, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
MBGFC Gulf Coast Masters, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Pensacola International Billfish Tournament, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Jimmy Crochet / Rising Sons / 1,400 pts.

Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic, Heaviest Marlin 618.5 lbs., 500 pts.
New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament, Heaviest Marlin, 500 pts.

Capt. Landon Bell / All-In Southern Charm / 1,150 pts.

Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, 1st Place Heaviest Marlin 654.6 lbs., 500 pts.
Bay Point Open, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Florida Panhandle Billfish Series Champion, 250 pts.
MBGFC Invitational Labor Day Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.

Capt. Jason Hallmark / Devotion / 1,050 pts.

Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Blue Marlin Grand Championship, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Past Gulf Coast Division Champions
2024: Capt Chase Lake // Team Supreme // 3450 pts.
2023: Capt. Chase Lake // Team Supreme // 2,750 pts.
2022: Capt. Landon Bell // Southern Charm // 1,800 pts.
2021: Capt. Patrick Ivy // Breathe Easy // 1,500 pts.
2020: Capt. Jeff Shoults // Mollie // 2,100 pts.
2019: Capt. Jason Buck // Done Deal // 2,100 pts.
2018: Capt. Jason Buck // Done Deal // 2,150 pts.
2017: Capt. Jason Buck // Done Deal // 1,400 pts.
2016: Capt. Devin Potts // Sea Mixer // 1,100 pts.
2015: Capt. Robbie Doggett // Relentless Pursuit // 1,750 pts.
2014: Capt. Jason Buck // Done Deal // 1,950 pts.

several guys on the bridge of the Builders Choice sportfishing boat

Captain of the Year Nick Durham Hawaii Division

2025 International Standings:

Capt. Brent Gaskill / Builder’s Choice / 1,350 pts.

Bermuda Billfish Blast, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Bermuda Big Game Classic, 1st Place Heaviest Marlin 650 lbs., 500 pts.
Sea Horse Billfish Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Bermuda Triple Crown Series Champion, 250 pts.

Capt. Tony Carrizosa / Team Galati / 1,300 pts.

Los Suenos Triple Crown Series, Leg 1, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
The International Masters Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Los Suenos Triple Crown Series, Leg 2, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Noah McVicker / Billfisher / 1,250 pts.

Los Suenos Triple Crown Series, Leg 1, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Los Suenos Triple Crown Series, Leg 3, 1st Place, 500
Los Suenos Triple Crown Series Champion, 250 pts.

Capt. Eric Solderholm / Team Harvey / 1,050 pts.

Scrub Island Invitational, Leg 1, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Scrub Island Invitational, Leg 2, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Scrub Island Series Champion, 250 pts.

Capt. Brett Eller / Overtime / 1,000 pts.

Pelagic Triple Crown, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Cory Gillespie / Lunatico / 900

The Shootout, Production vs. Custom, 3rd Place, 100 pts.

The Shootout, Production vs. Custom, Heaviest Marlin 468.8 lbs., 500 pts.
Scrub Island Invitational, Leg 1, 2nd Place, 300 pts.

Capt. Kim Manning / Magic Touch / 800 pts.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Bisbee’s Black & Blue. 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Rudy Arguedas / Pura Vida / 700 pts.

The International Masters Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Los Suenos Triple Crown Series, Leg 2, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Los Suenos Triple Crown Series, Leg 3, 2nd Place, 300 pts.

Capt. Ed Dwyer / Bear Trap / 500 pts.

Custom Shootout, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Tom Francis / Ultimate Lady / 500 pts.

World Cup, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. James Brennan / Game Plan / 500 pts.

Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Sean Dooley / Viking 74 / 500 pts.

The Shootout, Production vs. Custom, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Past International Division Champions
2024: Capt. Rob Mahoney // Miss AC // 1550 pts.
2023: Capt. Tony Carrizosa // Team Galati // 1,350 pts.
2022: Capt. Pete Zook // Sea Striker // 1,050 pts.
2021: Capt. Tony Carrizosa // Team Galati // 750 pts.
2020: Capt. Edward “Cookie” Murray // Auspicious // 1,350 pts.
2019: Capt. Jason Parker // Reel Steel // 1,550 pts.
2018: Capt. Greg DiStefano // El Suertudo // 900 pts.
2017: Capt. Russell Sinclair // Wave Paver // 2,150 pts.
2016: Capt. Victor Julio Lopez // Tranquilo // 2,100 pts.
2015: Capt. Russell Sinclair // Wave Paver // 1,950 pts.
2014: Capt. Rob Moore // Fa-La-Me // 1,650 pts.

2025 Standings

Capt. Nick Durham / Tantrum / 2,950 pts.

Lazy Marlin Hunt, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Rock N Reel Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Fire Cracker Open, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Kona Throw Down, 1st Place Heaviest Marlin 715 lbs., 500 pts.
Kona Throw Down, 3rd Place Heaviest Marlin 417 lbs., 100 pts.
Skins Marlin Derby, 1st Place Heaviest Marlin 566.5 lbs., 500 pts.
Hawaii Lure Maker’s Challenge, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Big Island Marlin Tournament, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
It’s a Wrap, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Hawaiian Marlin Tournament Series Champion, 250 pts.

Capt. Carlton Taniyama / Five Star / 1,400 pts.

Lazy Marlin Hunt, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Kona Kick Off, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Marlin Magic Lure Tournament, 1st Place Heaviest Marlin 463 lbs., 500 pts.
Big Island Marlin Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.

Capt. Jack Leverone / Huntress / 1,300 pts.

Fire Cracker Open, 1t Place, 500 pts.
Kona Throw Down, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Hawaii Lure Maker’s Challenge, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. Tracy Epstien / Last Chance / 1,200 pts.

Kona Kick Off, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Fire Cracker Open, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Kona Throw Down, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Skins Marlin Derby, 2nd Place, 300 pts.

Capt. Teddy Hoogs / Bwana / 1,000 pts.

Marlin Magic Lure Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Big Island Marlin Tournament, 1st Place, 500 pts.

Capt. James Bach / Maverick / 800 pts.

Rock N Reel Tournament, 1st Place Heaviest Marlin 631.5 lbs., 500 pts.
Marlin Magic Lure Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.

Capt. Bryan Tony / Snafu / 700 pts.

Lazy Marlin Hunt, 1st Place, 500 pts.
Marlin Magic Lure Tournament, 3rd Place, 100 pts.
Skins Marlin Derby, 3rd Place, 100 pts.

Capt. Kevin Hibbard / 2nd Offense / 600 pts.

Rock N Reel Tournament, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
It’s a Wrap, 2nd Place, 300 pts.
Past Hawaii Division Champions
2024 Capt. Carlton Taniyama // Five Star // 2950 pts.
2023: Capt. Teddy Hoogs // Bwana // 2,550 pts.
2022: Capt. Teddy Hoogs // Bwana // 2,200 pts.
2021: Capt. Shane O’Brien // Wild Hooker // 3,500 pts.
2020: Capt. Shane O’Brien // Wild Hooker // 2,150 pts.
2019: Capt. Teddy Hoogs // Bwana // 1,900 pts.
2018: Capt. Rob Ellyn // Lightspeed // 1,250 pts.
2017: Capt. “Stymie” Epstein // Huntress // 1,000 pts.
2016: Capt. Kerwin Masunaga // Rod Bender // 1,850 pts.
2015: Capt. Kerwin Masunaga // Rod Bender // 1,100 pts.
2014: Capt. Rob Ellyn // Light Speed // 1,000 pts.

Overview Divisions: East Coast / Florida / Gulf Coast / International / Hawaii

Sanctioned Tournaments Rules Past Standings 2024 / 2023 / 2022 / 2021 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / Past Winners

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