The Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series is returning to Sailfish Marina Resort for its annual event, Operation Sailfish. This year’s competition will take place from January 11th to 15th, 2023 and will see teams from around the country battling it out off the coast of Palm Beach for a cash prize of over $800,000, as well as exclusive sterling silver champions’ dog tags and bragging rights.
The week’s events will commence on Wednesday, January 11th with a captains’ meeting and an opening ceremony featuring a USA Military Salute from the Operation Homefront color guard. Participating teams will then be treated to complimentary cocktails, dinner, a silent auction, and entertainment by DJ Select, along with tournament sponsors and vendors, at a night of festivities before the competition begins. The two-day competition will take place on Friday, January 13th and Saturday, January 14th, followed by a Sunday Brunch awards ceremony on January 15th. The closing ceremony, during which the flag will be retired and final respects will be paid to the great men and women of the US military, will conclude the event.
Take A Hero Fishing Day
On January 12th, 2023, Operation Sailfish will be hosting “Take a Hero Fishing Day” in partnership with Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization dedicated to building strong, stable, and secure military families. This special day is an opportunity to honor the men and women of the United States military who have served our country.
Active duty military personnel and veterans will have the chance to participate in a fun day of fishing, paired with teams from the tournament. The day will culminate in a cocktail party and awards ceremony, where top heroes will be recognized with their own trophies. In the past, “Take a Hero Fishing Day” has featured memorable experiences like 92-year-old veteran Jack Melnick’s fishing trip with Old No.7, during which he earned the title of Master Angler.
Heroes can apply to participate or be nominated by anglers to join their boat for the day. Please note that spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about Operation Homefront and their mission, please visit their website at https://operationhomefront.org/
Maximize Your Earnings with These Tournament Entry Tips
Participants in Operation Sailfish have the opportunity to register their boats for the tournament at an early bird rate of $1200 through January 3rd, 2023. After this date, the late registration fee will be $1700. In addition to the chance to win the first-place title, there will be a range of general and optional entry categories and Calcuttas that provide opportunities for anglers to earn cash prizes. It is advisable for participants to familiarize themselves with these options in order to maximize their potential earnings.
Win Big with These General Entry Division Opportunities
Meatfish teams should not overlook the opportunity to compete in Operation Sailfish. With three meatfish divisions – Meatfish Aggregate, Heaviest Fish Divisions for Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish, Cobia, and Tuna, and The Grand Daddy: Heaviest Fish Overall – as well as three meatfish Calcuttas, teams have the chance to win over $50,000 without catching a single sailfish.
For those without their own boat, there is no need to miss out on the fun. Operation Sailfish has created a pure charter boat division to promote the charter boat industry and give these boats the chance to compete on equal footing with other charter boats in the tournament. The new Charter Boat division offers a 100% payout, and there is also a 70/30 Charter Boat Calcutta available. Tournament-hungry anglers can call their favorite charter captain with a valid NOAA charter or head boat permit and join in on the action. Be sure to check the rules for eligibility requirements.
Enhance Your Earnings with These Optional Entry Calcutta Opportunities
In addition to the general and charter boat entry categories, Operation Sailfish also offers several optional entry Calcuttas to enhance participants’ earning potential. One such Calcutta is the Fish for Charity category, which benefits the tournament’s charitable partner, Operation Homefront. The entry fee for this Calcutta is $500 per boat, with the prize money being split evenly between the high point team and the charity.
Another popular Calcutta is the Quest for the Quest Series Exclusive Winner Take All: Release Round Up. This optional entry category is divided into four rounds over two days of fishing, and teams that advance through all four rounds have the chance to win big in the Release Round Up Jackpot. In 2020, the team on Miss Annie won the jackpot with a payout of $371,700. The entry fee for the Round Up is $1,000 per boat.
For more information about the Quest for the Crest and Operation Sailfish, please contact the organizers at 945-725-4010 or info@bluewatermovements.com, or visit the event websites at www.bluewatermovements.com or www.operationsailfish.com.
Event Schedule for Operation Sailfish 2023
All events for the week will be held at Sailfish Marina: 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL, 33404
Kick-Off Party/Captain’s Meeting
When: Wednesday, January 11th, 2023
Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Take A hero Fishing Day
When: Thursday, January 12th, 2023
Lines In – Lines Out: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Cocktail Reception: 3:00pm
Awards Ceremony: 3:30pm
Fishing Day 1
When: Friday, January 13th, 2023
Lines In – Lines Out: 8:00am – 4:00pm
GEMLUX Happy Hour: 5:30pm
Deadline to Submit Media: 6:00pm
Fishing Day 2
When: Saturday, January 14th, 2023
Lines In – Lines Out: 8:00am – 4:00pm
C&L Insurance Happy Hour: 5:30pm
Deadline to Submit Media: 6:00pm
Awards Ceremony
When: Saturday, January 14th, 2023
Brunch: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Awards Presentations: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Closing Ceremony: 1:00pm
Learn More About the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series:
The Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series is a prestigious event that brings together some of the top billfishing teams in the sport. Teams participating in this three-leg series will compete for an estimated purse of over $1.7 million. While cash prizes are certainly a coveted part of the competition, the ultimate goal for many teams is to earn The Crest – the highest accolade in tournament sailfishing. The Crest is not a cash prize, but rather a symbol of dominance in the sport, presented in the form of a burgundy jacket. Earning the privilege to wear The Crest requires a team to prove themselves as the most dominant among their peers. It is a quest to crown a true world champion.
Learn More About Bluewater Movements:
Bluewater Movements, Inc. is a sports marketing company based in South Florida, a region known for its world-class sport fishing. With over 27 years of experience in the industry, the team at Bluewater Movements has developed some of the most successful competitive fishing events. Combining their knowledge of tournament fishing with their expertise in event marketing, Bluewater Movements has created a premium experience for tournament anglers and sponsors alike. Their portfolio includes seven highly popular fishing tournaments held at various venues across South Florida.
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