Palm Beach's Richest Sailfish Tournament Returns on Dec 11!
On December 11th Sailfish Marina will be inundated with the best sailfish teams in the country when the tournament fleet returns for the 2nd Annual Operation Sailfish competition. The two-day battle against Sailfish begins on Friday, Dec. 13th and continues through Saturday the 14th. With 40 boats already pre-registered, the tournament purse is expected to surpass the $500,000 mark. In 2012, team Sailsmen released 23 sailfish and took home a check for $172,625! 
Overall, 400 sailfish were released in 2012. Will the record be broken in 2013?
Overall, 400 sailfish were released in 2012. Will the record be broken in 2013?
Placing in Operation Sailfish isn’t just about winning the cash. This tournament is the first leg in the reputable Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series. During each leg of the series, teams will be assigned points based on where they finish. Claiming the highest scores will put those teams in line for the most iconic achievement in competitive sailfishing -- the Quest for the Crest Jacket. Team Blue Time took home the accolade in 2012. This four leg series runs from December through April extending from West Palm Beach to Key Largo.
Besides the motivation to establish a lead in the chase for the jacket, Altier Jewelers of Boca Raton, the official jeweler of the Quest for the Crest, has another incentive for the teams. The first place team will receive 6 custom jewelry style dog tags! The military style dog tags commemorate the patriotic undertones of the tournament and our support for the men and women who fight or have fought for our country. In addition to the dog tags, Altier Jewelers is also offering a $25,000 Patek Philippe Aquanauttime piece to the top captain in the Quest for the Crest Series!
In honor of the men and women who have served our country, a new twist has been added to the 2013 Operation Sailfish event. Operation Homefront, a national 501c(3) military based charity and beneficiary from Operation Sailfish, will invite select military heroes out for a day of sailfishing on Dec 12th together with some of the teams that will be competing in the tournament. Military flags will fly in honor of our country, their service to it and every sailfish that they release during the day of fishing!
The kick-off party and captains meeting will be held December 11th at 6pm at the Buccaneer, which is next door to Sailfish Marina. The opening ceremony, including the presentation of the colors and the singing of the national anthem will follow soon after. In addition, the William T. Dwyer High School marching band will conduct a patriotic performance in honor of our military following the final day of fishing on Saturday. If you want to follow the action in real time, log on to www.operationsailfish.com and click on 'live scoring' to see the leader board in real time!
Credentials are required for access to all event activities. Early entry for the tournament concluded on November 21. Late registration is $4,500 per team (plus tax). For more information on Operation Sailfish visit www.operationsailfish.com or call (954) 725-4010.
What's on Tap during Operation Sailfish:
- Daily dock parties on Dec 13 & 14 from 4p-7p following fishing.
- Enjoy cold Newcastle beers and delicious cocktails from Tito's Vodka and Botran Rum.
- Browse for stunning jewelry pieces from Altier Jewelers.
- Wednesday, Dec 11 & Thursday, Dec 12: Tour the new SeaVee 43' Fisharound
- Meet featured artist Peter Agardy and receive an autographed tournament poster.
- Marvel at breathtaking fine art wood sculptures by Dustin Cole.
- Stop by the Kluch clothing trailer and pick up some fresh swag from the official apparel sponsor for Operation Sailfish.
The highly acclaimed Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series kicks off its 2nd year in December! With an anticipated purse of more than $2 million dollars, the competition will be fierce. Money aside, the main motivation for teams in the Quest is to earn the right to don the most iconic emblem on the Sailfish circuit - the Quest for the Crest Jacket. Team Blue Time claimed the honor in the inaugural series last year and earned their title as the ‘world’s best’sailfishing team for the 2012/13 season.
