Lights Out Boston, Third Coast Renegades Win to Open 2026 SFC Season

The 2026 Sport Fishing Championship season kicked off in dramatic fashion at the Key West Classic, presented by Salty Dawgs, delivering three days of high-stakes competition, shifting leaderboards, and late-breaking heroics across both the Atlantic and Gulf Divisions.

With all 13 angling clubs in attendance, the season opener had a little bit of everything one would expect from the first fishing tournament of the year: early mechanical setbacks, breakout performances, and a finish that went down to the wire for both divisions. 

As a reminder, the Key West Classic was formatted as two tournaments in one event: One for the Atlantic and one for the Gulf. 

Early Setbacks, Fast Starts

Before lines even hit the water, several clubs faced adversity. Defending Atlantic Division champions Lights Out Boston battled steering issues, while the Gulf Coast Cowboys missed the shotgun start due to generator trouble. Meanwhile, South Florida Sails AC resolved pre-tournament equipment concerns just in time to compete at full strength, getting a livewell pump replaced the night before.

Once the tournament began, the new-look Sails wasted no time making a statement. Alex Stanley released the first fish of the 2026 season just 22 minutes after the shotgun start, setting the tone for a fast-paced opening day.

Lights Out Boston quickly proved their early issues wouldn’t slow them down, joining the leaderboard within the first hour. But it was the Gulf Division’s Third Coast Renegades, led by Garrett Frazier, who stole the spotlight, stacking multiple sailfish releases to seize control.

By the end of Day 1, South Florida Sails led the Atlantic Division with 225 points, Third Coast Renegades surged to 300 points and the overall lead.

Behind them, clubs like New Jersey Sea Birds, Louisiana Canyons, and East Coast Remix kept themselves within striking distance.

Day 2: Leaderboard Chaos

In the Atlantic Division, a tight race unfolded between South Florida Sails, East Coast Remix, New Jersey Sea Birds, and Lights Out Boston. By midday, the Sea Birds briefly took control, but the defending champions responded.

Lights Out Boston delivered a decisive run in the afternoon, highlighted by multiple releases, including a release from angler/mate Kyle Paparelli to reclaim the top spot.

Meanwhile, in the Gulf Division, Third Coast Renegades maintained their lead but faced increasing pressure from the Louisiana Canyons, who capitalized on late-day opportunities, including one hookup called in at the buzzer for lines out. Jaselyn Berthelot securing the release to make a run for Sunday.

Championship Sunday: Down to the Wire

Early in the day, the New Jersey Sea Birds also encountered steering issues, while a slow bite kept everyone waiting for opportunities. East Coast Remix surged into contention midday. South Carolina Outcast made the biggest move of the day, climbing from fifth into second place with multiple releases. Lights Out answered every challenge, including a pivotal one by Rob Carmichael that ended up preserved their lead.

In the Gulf Division, the Renegades held steady while Louisiana Canyons continued to apply pressure, keeping the outcome uncertain deep into the afternoon.

A late push from Mississippi Blues added to the drama, as they jumped into third place with a strong final-day performance.

With Lights Out Boston and Third Coast Renegades claim early bragging rights, the 2026 Sport Fishing Championship season is officially underway. Funny enough, the two clubs that won the final regular season tournaments of 2025 ended up on top in 2026. 

Defending Champs Struggle

The 2025 SFC Champion Texas Lone Stars finished fourth after struggling mightily looking for the sailfish. They drastically changed strategies after the first day, abandoning the kites and live bait in favor of trolling and searching for blue marlin while also hoping a sailfish strikes their dredge. Two sailfish managed to bite and get released, but the blue marlin remained elusive. 

That fourth place finish in the Gulf Division marks the lowest placement for Capt. Spencer Johnson and crew since last June, in the Gulfport Mississippi Open, where they finished third. The Lone Stars found themselves at the bottom of the division heading into that event due to mechanical issues with other boats while they waited for their battle wagon, the 65’ Paul Mann named Freebird to finish a refit. 

Looking at the rest of the season with the rosiest of Texas Lone Stars red colored glasses, they are already off to a better start than last season. 

Speaking of past champions, The Gulf Coast Cowboys, who won the last open-era SFC title, finished fifth in the Gulf Division while attempting to troll for blue marlin. After the tournament, they shared a video of a blue marlin getting hooked on Friday that spit out a goggle eye after three jumps. That one fish would have changed everything for the Cowboys. It would have meant the overall top finish and a win in the Gulf Division. 

One fish makes all the difference. That will continue to ring true from the first event of the season, all the way to the Zane Grey Championship Playoffs in October.