Sources: SFC Champion Texas Lone Stars AC close to re-signing Freebird for 2026 Season
Deal should be finalized next week upon Capt. Johnson and Blackbird's return to the U.S.
SFC Insider is learning from league sources that the defending champion Texas Lone Stars Angling Club are nearing an agreement to re-sign Freebird, the Port Aransas-based sportfishing team led by Captain Spencer Johnon, boat owner and angler David Blackbird. The deal is rumored to return the full roster which includes mates Roberto Velazquez, Raul Perez and anglers Mark Blackbird, Bryan Richter and Sutton Schoonover.
Freebird is a 65’ Paul Mann Custom Sportfishing boat which was in drydock undergoing a full refit when the Texas Lone Stars came calling in early 2025 looking for a team to represent them in the first year of SFC’s closed angling club model of competition.
The Lone Stars competed on chartered and borrowed boats for the first few stops of the year before Freebird made its SFC debut at the Gulfport Mississippi Open, finishing in third place. It would be the last time the Lone Stars finished lower than second, including winning the Zane Grey Championship Playoffs to secure the first SFC Championship of the Angling Club era.
After communicating with Capt. Spencer Johnson earlier this morning, he mentioned that both he and David Blackbird are currently mule deer hunting in Mexico, and should be returning to the United States this week to finalize the deal. A statement from Lone Stars GM Justin Lamonica is expected upon signing.
Follow us to be the first to know about every Roster Move made in the leadup to the first lines-in of 2026.