Breaking: Texas Lone Stars AC Re-sign Freebird Sportfishing for 2026 Season
Capt. Spencer Johnson and the 65' Paul Mann custom return to defend their crown alongside the Texas Lone Stars
SFC Insider Rudy Tomarchio is reporting that the Texas Lone Stars Angling Club has officially come to terms with Freebird Sportfishing to compete on their behalf once again for the 2026 season. This confirms last week's reporting that the defending SFC champions were reuiniting with their operating team.
Freebird, the 65’ Paul Mann Custom Sportfishing boat owned by David Blackbird and led by Captain Spencer Johnson, will return with its full championship-winning roster intact. That group includes mates Roberto Velazquez and Raul Perez, along with anglers Mark Blackbird, Bryan Richter, and Sutton Schoonover.
This ended up being one of hottest pairings from the inaugural year of SFC’s closed angling club era. After beginning the 2025 season on chartered and borrowed boats, Johnson and the Lone Stars reunited with Freebird at the Gulfport Mississippi Open, where they finished third. From that point forward, the Lone Stars never finished lower than second the rest of the season, culminating in a victory at the Zane Grey Championship Playoffs and securing the league title.
The Zane Grey Championship Playoff win capped off a banner season for the Lone Stars AC organization, including owner Scottie Scheffler. The 2025 PGA Player of The Year and world no. 1 had six tournament wins including two majors, and his Lone Stars took home championship crystal. Scheffler took some time out of his busy training schedule to celebrate the return of his championship team:
“2025 was a memorable year because of what we achieved together as a team with the Texas Lone Stars Angling Club. Winning the SFC Championship in our first season reflected the work everyone put in. As we head into 2026, we are excited to have the same team taking on the water!”
Texas Lone Stars GM Justin Lamonica confirmed the deal and emphasized the importance of continuity after a title-winning season:
“The Texas Lone Stars Angling Club is proud to welcome back David Blackbird’s Freebird Sportfishing, led by Captain Spencer Johnson, to represent the club this season,” Lamonica said. “As the team behind our 2025 SFC Championship run, bringing Freebird back home was our main priority this off-season. With that accomplished, we are looking forward to working together to qualify for the 2026 Zane Grey Championship Playoffs and repeat as league champions. We are incredibly excited to continue inspiring fans to support an all-Texas team (David being from Austin, Spencer from Port Aransas) leading the way at the highest level there is in professional sportfishing.”
With Freebird officially locked in, the Lone Stars enter the 2026 season as both defending champions and early favorites. David Blackbird had this to say on the singing:
“Every one of us that compete on Freebird consider it a distinct honor and privilege to be affiliated with the Texas Lone Stars Angling Club. We would like to thank Scottie Scheffler and his team from Hambric Sports including Blake Smith and Savannah Huemoeller for their partnership. We take great pride in our team and just cannot wait to get back out on the water to chase another SFC title. Last year was a magical run for us and we are hopeful to continue that momentum in 2026.”
More roster news is expected around the league as teams finalize preparations ahead of first lines-in for the 2026 season.