SFC Insider: Gulf Division Power Rankings

SFC Insider’s weekly power rankings are in. This week focuses on the action that just took place this past week at the Gulf Division opening East Pass Challenge, presented by Legendary Marine. It was a struggle for the field, with four blue marlin being released in the entire tournament. Three of which came from the winners, Mississippi Blues Angling Club

Here’s how the Angling Clubs of the Gulf Division Stack up after one tournament:

1) Mississippi Blues Angling Club

The obvious pick. 3/3 on Blue Marlin over the course of the tournament, a fully operational boat, The Blues checked all the boxes. Read more about their victory in the recap article published earlier this week. The crew representing Mississippi Blues are from Louisiana, so Hurricane Hole Resort & Marina is a familiar site. 

2) Third Coast Renegades Angling Club

Power Rankings are not exactly rocket science, so with a second place finish in the East Pass Challenge, the Renegades take the no. 2 spot by default. The final 10 minutes prior to lines out was exciting to follow on ESPN+ as the cameras rolled live on Captain Gregg Tennor marking fish, his crew tossing live baits into the spread, and connecting with a big blue marlin to get on the board. I believe the crew will already be in Hurricane Hole this week as well, so having additional time in the marina should benefit them with preparations. As the Mississippi Blues showed, preparation is half the battle in this grueling sport.

3) Gulf Coast Cowboys Angling Club

The rest of the field did not score points, but the defending SFC Champion Cowboys did have a blue marlin hooked. GM and Angler Jordon Benefield was in the fighting chair cranking down when the fish jumped, and shortly thereafter came off the line. By reputation alone, Gulf Coast Cowboys sit no lower than third on this list. Never count out Captain Blake Bridges and the defending champs. 

4) Louisiana Canyons Angling Club

Captain “Stonewall” Hall Bohlinger was multi-tasking during the entirety of the East Pass Challenge: Search for fish, but also write a punch list to modify and improve their new boat. The 92’ Viking Enclosed Bridge formerly known as “High Cotton” is no stranger to fishing the Gulf, but each outfit has specific wants and needs for how they fish. I’m betting on The Canyons to continue to rise in the power rankings as the season progresses. Similar to the Mississippi Blues in years past, their focus will be 100% on fishing after boat issues are squared away. 

5) West Florida Black Flags Angling Club

A lack of activity was not the problem for Captain Danny Watts and the Black Flags. They just ran into the wrong kind of action. Sharks, Tuna and Wahoo. Thankfully the Wahoo ended up on the boat as part of the best dinner we saw onboard any club’s boat. As one of the few boats without mechanical problems heading into the East Pass Challenge, hopes were high for a top placement. The Hurricane Hole Louisiana Open presents another chance to strike. 

6) Texas Lone Stars Angling Club

The Lone Stars suffered multiple mechanical issues offshore that led to some major limitations. After losing steering multiple times, Captain Spencer Johnson and crew were able to create a temporary fix to keep them in competition, but it also meant that their movements were limited. The Lone Stars had to keep their boat at around 10 knots, which meant the fastest they could go was around their trolling speed. The ability to run fast cannot be emphasized enough when it comes to finding spots to collect live bait and then make decisions based on your sonar and weather reports to cross long distances in hopes of finding fish. The steering issue made that impossible for the Lone Stars. Should the steering issue be fixed in time for Hurricane Hole, they should be back in the mix. 

7) Alabama Angling Club

This is largely a default ranking as well for Alabama Angling Club. Not competing in the East Pass Challenge, the angling club is set to debut at the Hurricane Hole Louisiana Open with a team and captain filling in. Alabama Angling Club will be operated by SFC this season and team ownership is part of the league’s 2026 expansion plans. 

Once Insider learns about which team will represent Alabama Angling Club, their position on the list may change.