b"Fish On Wins 88th Silver Sailfish Derbyby WPBFC President Tom 'Buzz' BzuraT he coldest weather Florida had experi- within grasp of the mate.Michael Buckland enced in nearly 2 years swept over theof Tequesta caught 7 of Hydrospheres fish. paradise peninsula in early January, falling onMichael would earn the title of Top Angler the exact day a sold out 50 boat fleet kickedOverall in the 2025 Derby for his accomplish-off the crown jewel of sportfishing, the Silverment.This honor is awarded with the Mrs. Sailfish Derby. Competitors were greeted withHenry R. Rea trophy, a magnificent silver temperatures in the low 40s, and gustingsailfish sculpture that dates back to the events North West winds stirring up a productive biteorigin in 1935 and is sponsored by Elizabeth offshore.These are ideal conditions for flyingRichebourg Rea of Connecticut. kites and presenting live baits when anglers areThe second and final day of the Derby would seeking to tangle with the magnificent wonderproduce 109 more fish across the fleet.Little that is the Atlantic Sailfish.Some of the fin- wind was present that morning as it switched est captains and crews were represented oncearound to the east after blowing mostly north again fishing off the Palm Beaches, bravingthe day before.A slight temperature increase seas 5 to 7 ft. with an occasional 9-footer inand change of wind direction presented new full foul weather gear, feeling sailfish seasonconditions offshore.Despite the changes, upon them.Several lead changes occurredseveral crews were able to pick up right where throughout the 2-Day tournament as multipleTop Boat winners in the 88th annualthey left off fishing just four lines, a rule rooted fish hooked up at the same time aided effortsSilver Sailfish Derby, Team 'Fish On' in the history of the tournament.Captain to quickly climb the leaderboard.When the celebrates dockside. Darrin Isaacs and the Twin Reels, a 64 Viking, 88th running of The Worlds Oldest Sailfish Tournament wasmade a splash both days among their sailfishing colleagues all said and done, Fish On finished on top. and would finish 2nd Place Overall.Twin Reels was The Silver Sailfish Derby has been hosted by the Westconsistent posting 5 releases Day 1, and 7 more Day Palm Beach Fishing Club (WPBFC) since 1935 and2 for a total of 12 sailfish. continues to be the organizations marquee event.A totalWith so many talented anglers and knowledgeable captains of 293 sailfish were released over the duration of the 2025 Derby.participating, earning Top Boat honors is not easily done.A flurry The tournament is headquartered out of Sailfish Marina in Palmof fish were caught in the final hour.Fish On, a 48 Viking, got Beach Shores, where the 54 Sculley, Mallard, is berthed.Within on the afternoon action.Captain Andrew Dotterweich and Captain Randy Yates at the helm the crew was off to a hot start.crew caught a double at 3:16 pm and another fish at 3:57 pm. TheMallardrecorded 10 sailfish releases by the conclusion ofIf teams are hooked up and report that fish to the tournament Day 1 landing them Top Daily Boat honors.They would ulti- radio committee before the 4 pm Lines-out call sounds over the mately finish 3rd Place Overall recording 1 additional release onVHF, theyre able to land that fish, and its an eligible release.Fish Day 2, bringing their tournament total to 11 releases. On did just that and landed their last fish at 4:11 pm creating an Captain Matt Collins and the Hydrosphere, a 57 Dean John- exciting finish.With 8 sailfish Day 1 and 6 more fish day 2, Fish son,finishedOn finished atop the fleet and made their mark as the winners of with 11 releasesthe 88th annual Silver Sailfish Derby with 14 releases total.Dotter-as well for a 4thweich earned Top Captain honors, an award presented in memory Place Overallof Captain Jack Morrow, a legendary captain and longtime finish, beat outWPBFC member. The Southern Ground team lead by Captain by the MallardTravis Ralph took ontime-of- TopDailyboat release of theirhonors for Day 2, lastsailfish,finishing up with a the tie break- total of7 releases.2nd Place Boat Overall, ing criteria forTheTopLady Team Twin Reels. Derby boats.WhileAngler trophy is the captain certainlysponsored by the deserves credit running the boat, having exceptional anglers isHamppFamily a must to successfully hook sailfish and wind the 15-foot leaderof New Jersey in3rd Place Overall, Team Mallard.J anuary7-10, 2026 5"