Contingent of SFC Female Anglers to Compete at The Pescadora Billfish Championship
SFC's leading ladies take part in one of the largest and the most unique women's billfish tournaments in the world.
A strong contingent of Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) female anglers are in Costa Rica for one of the most celebrated events in women’s sportfishing: The Pescadora Billfish Championship.
Held at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, The Pescadora is widely recognized as the world’s most unique ladies-only billfishing tournament. Designed by women, for women, this groundbreaking event brings together anglers of all nationalities and experience levels for a competitive and party-packed weekend centered around skill, camaraderie, and a shared love of sportfishing.
Anglers will battle for the coveted title of World’s Top Lady Angler in two categories:
-Hook Your Own (IGFA rules)
-Hook & Hand
Those who have been following the SFC Competition Committee from the league’s annual meetings in December should know those two terms really well. Additionally, teams will compete for overall championship awards in what promises to be two action-packed days of competition.
The Pescadora is known not only for elite competition,but also for empowering participants to step outside their comfort zones, whether that means an angler releasing her first billfish, mastering stand-up gear, or learning new tackle techniques.
This year, the majority of SFC’s female anglers will be competing, representing their teams on an international stage.
Here’s the breakdown along with which boat(s) they are on:
East Coast Remix Angling Club
Sarah Melia-Cleare (Anticipation)
Lights Out Boston Angling Club
Jackie Hayes (Lights Out)
Casey Carmichael (Lights Out)
Louisiana Canyons Angling Club
Jaselyn Berthelot (Pelagic/Rising Sons)
New York Granders Angling Club
Shelby Callison (Tenacious)
Dusty Adinolfe (Tenacious)
Kelly Young (Tenacious)
Kodi Smith-Austin (PortAFino)
SFC’s Chief of Staff
Courtney Hueston (Lights Out)
The only female angler on an SFC main roster not expected to attend is Lori McDowell of Gulf Coast Cowboys Angling Club. As we learned over All-Star Week in December, that was McDowell’s first time not fishing alongside her family. No Dino McDowell, or Jordon and Dalton Benefield were at the Islands of Islamorada Resort. Hopefully the ladies can convince Lori to join them in 2027 with testimonials of their own experience.
Lights Out Boston has their own boat down in Quepos as one of the final events of its Pacific season before taking the long journey back on its own bottom to make the season opener in Key West, FL. Lights Out, the 62’ Viking was first loaded onto a cargo ship in September of last year in transit to Cabo San Lucas for October’s Zane Grey Championship Playoffs. Since that tournament ended, the boat has been everywhere from The Baja California Peninsula down to Costa Rica. Soon the boat will transit the Panama Canal en route to Isla Mujeres, Grand Cayman and eventually, Key West.
Beyond the competition, The Pescadora continues to make a meaningful impact. Each year, a portion of tournament proceeds is donated to local organizations in Costa Rica, reinforcing the event’s commitment to community and conservation.
SFC’s female anglers will be competing for global recognition while representing the growing strength and influence of women across the sport. Insider will be keeping an eye on the action, with updates to the leaderboard both here and on Instagram.
Best of luck to all the ladies competing and enjoy the Pura Vida that is fishing in Costa Rica.