Live Updates: Walker's Cay Open

Welcome back to Walker’s Cay where the New Jersey Sea Birds look to defend their event title from 2025. Their defense will come at a struggle, with ongoing mechanical issues plaguing The Flock lost steering in Key West, during the first tournament of the season, and now on their way to Walker’s have a stuck trim tab. 

Speaking to Captain Blaine Birch, the tab is stuck partially down, and believes it will likely break when they back down on a fish at some point. They were off the dock early today. Here’s the order in which they left at sunrise:

Lights Out Boston
New Jersey Sea Birds
East Coast Remix
South Florida Sails
South Carolina Outcast
Rhode Island Breakers
North Carolina Flare

DAY 1: FRIDAY, MAY 15
*ALL TIMES EASTERN (ET)
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORING

8:00 AM: LINES IN! Let’s get this tournament started

9:08 AM: SEA BIRDS STRIKE FIRST. Quick test for the busted trim tab is a quick sailfish release by Dave McKendrick. 75 points get the day started, but with blue and white marlin out there, they will need to find more fish to protect their early lead. This is also the first species of three toward a billfish grand slam, with the 200 point bonus highly likely to be in play this weekend.

WAY TOO EARLY LEADERBOARD
New Jersey Sea Birds - 75 Points
Lights Out Boston
East Coast Remix
South Florida Sails
South Carolina Outcast
Rhode Island Breakers
North Carolina Flare

10:13 AM: SEA BIRDS HAD A TRIPLE, BUT LOST ONE! Two of the three fish get successfully released, with one sailfish breaking off. The other two species released were a white marlin and another sail for Mike O’Connor and Kade Roach. 

Those two fish extend their lead to 250 points.

11:18 AM: WE HAVE A NEW LEADER! It’s the South Florida Sails, with Alex Stanley the angler of record. They release a blue marlin, the first of the 2026 SFC Season for 450 Points. That’s two white marlin’s worth of points clear on the now second place New Jersey Sea Birds.

Leaderboard just before Noon
South Florida Sails - 450 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 250 Points
Lights Out Boston
East Coast Remix
South Carolina Outcast
Rhode Island Breakers
North Carolina Flare

11:52 AM: SEA BIRDS HIT RIGHT BACK! Stephen Melchiorre releases a blue marlin. Not only is that 450 points for The Flock, but it’s also an additional 200 points for the new Grand Slam Bonus instituted in the SFC scoring system for 2026. 

That’s a 650 point release for them. What makes it even better for the Sea Birds is that the bonus now gives them a margin that is exactly the same as a blue marlin. Should South Florida Sails release another blue, they would still sit in second place even on points, but behind on the time of release tiebreaker.

Leaderboard just after Noon
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Florida Sails - 450 Points
Lights Out Boston
East Coast Remix
South Carolina Outcast
Rhode Island Breakers
North Carolina Flare

12:24 PM: SOUTH CAROLINA OUTCAST Jump into third place!. Justin Matson releases a blue marlin and the Lowcountry Legends are officially on the board after getting blanked on billfish at Walker’s last year.

12:25 PM: NORTH CAROLINA FLARE release a sailfish thanks to Mark Dressler. That fish puts Flare on the board in fifth place.

Leaderboard as of 12:40 PM
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Florida Sails - 450 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
Lights Out Boston
East Coast Remix 
Rhode Island Breakers

1:14 PM: East Coast Remix look to be hooked up, Kenny Hernandez is reeling, but as the camera zooms in, we spot the yellow and green colors of a mahi-mahi. No points scoring fish here, but there may be billfish hunting the mahi like there were at multiple points last season.

2:04 PM: South Florida Sails double up on sailfish! An extra 150 points for them courtesy of Lee Albarty and Westin Bomnskie. They’re creeping back at the leaders.

Leaderboard as of 2:15 PM
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Florida Sails - 600 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
Lights Out Boston
East Coast Remix 
Rhode Island Breakers

2:44 PM: South Florida Sails hook up with another fish with Alex Stanley. Looking to ID the species while they fight live on the ESPN app.

2:49 PM: Stanley is getting a belt on…a harness…we’re getting giddy thinking this is a blue marlin right now. We will let you know when we find out for sure.

2:53 PM: SOUTH FLORIDA SAILS BACK IN THE LEAD. Alex Stanley released a blue marlin, for 450 points. They’re 150 clear now of the second place New Jersey Sea Birds. Those two sailfish are the difference. Ben Simmons must be smiling in the cockpit right now.

Leaderboard as of 3:00 PM
South Florida Sails - 1,050 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
Lights Out Boston
East Coast Remix 
Rhode Island Breakers

4:00 PM: LINES OUT. We end day one with Capt. Mike King, Brad Adam and Ben Simmons with South Florida Sails in the lead, with the New Jersey Sea Birds nipping at their heels. Three SFC clubs have not recorded a release yet including the 2025 Atlantic Division Champions Lights Out Boston. 

A lot of fish are out there, and even with the early action, the lead is not safe. Any club has a chance to win this still.

DAY 2: Saturday, May 16

8:00 AM: LINES IN! Day two is underway from Walker’s Cay

8:53 AM: Checking in with South Carolina Outcast this morning, Dakoda Hawkins on-board with the crew mentioned they already hooked and lost what looked to be a large blue marlin. Captain Stuart Lackey is circling looking to find that fish again.

9:00 AM: Lights Out Boston look to be on something. Looks like Ray Rosher is the angler of record from the live feed. 

9:10 AM: Ray Rosher confirmed as the angler for Lights Out Boston. He’s more than half an hour into this fight, and he’s put on a fighting belt since we last saw him. Kyle Paparelli looks to have a GoPro in the water to help identify the species. 

9:13 AM: LIGHTS OUT BOSTON get on the board with a blue marlin! There’s a leader touch, release and cheers all around for a great start to the morning with 450 points. That fish will jump Lights Out into fourth place, leapfrogging North Carolina Flare Angling Club. Even on points, behind on time with South Carolina Outcast who already spotted a blue marlin this morning.

Leaderboard as of 9:45 AM
South Florida Sails - 1,050 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 450 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
East Coast Remix
Rhode Island Breakers

12:00 PM: It’s…slow out there. Not sure if it’s the change in the wind (blowing east since last night) or what but across the 20 boat field, the only release of the day has been Ray Rosher’s blue marlin on Lights Out. 

12:09 PM: South Florida Sails look to be on another one. Lee Albarty is winding down on a fish and the crew is ready to put a fighting belt on him.

12:10 PM: CONFIRMED BLUE MARLIN FOR SOUTH FLORIDA SAILS! Lee Albarty gets the release and Captain Mike King and co. are padding the lead with an additional 450 Points.

Leaderboard as of 12:30 PM
South Florida Sails - 1,500 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 450 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
East Coast Remix
Rhode Island Breakers

12:55 PM: And another sailfish right before going on the air for social hour for South Florida Sails. Alex Stanley gets another 75 points for the leaders.

Leaderboard as of 1:00 PM
South Florida Sails - 1,575 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 450 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
East Coast Remix
Rhode Island Breakers

2:24 PM: IT’S THE SOUTH FLORIDA SAILS SHOW! Another blue marlin for Lee Albarty, and they are running away with this tournament. That fish brings their total to 2,025 Points.

Leaderboard as of 2:30 PM
South Florida Sails - 2,025 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 450 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
East Coast Remix
Rhode Island Breakers

2:30 PM: We’re getting some action now from other angling clubs. South Carolina Outcast after missing a blue marlin earlier, release a sailfish courtesy of angler/mate Trey Kemmerlin.

Leaderboard as of 2:40 PM
South Florida Sails - 2,025 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 575 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
East Coast Remix
Rhode Island Breakers

2:40 PM: Looks like North Carolina Flare Angling Club are struggling with a gyro issue. Gyros keep the boats level in rough conditions, and the conditions are unfortunately a little sporty with the east wind. Live broadcast has them in the engine room messing with the panel.

3:01 PM: We’re in the final hour of Day 2 and we’ve got some action. We’ve got South Florida Sails hooked up again, North Carolina Flare hooked up on something, Rhode Island Breakers hooked up and looking for more. A belt is going on the Sails’ angler right now, so that tells us its another blue marlin.

3:08 PM: That’s a leader touch on South Florida Sails, and there’s a jump to confirm the blue marlin! Yet another 450 points for Ben Simmons’ squad. Running up the score! It’s that man Lee Albarty again.

Leaderboard as of 3:15 PM
South Florida Sails - 2,475 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 575 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
East Coast Remix
Rhode Island Breakers

3:20 PM: Sarah Melia-Cleare and Remix are hooked up, but they’re getting the South Carolina Outcast Treatment. It’s a barracuda. Tough sledding for the crew, who took a gamble with a smaller roster. The slow bite could have worked to their advantage, but they need to be on the fish to capitalize.

3:44 PM: Sea Birds looking for a fish!! They’re hooked up and looking to keep the skunk flag in the cabinet. Skunk flag? Yeah, boat owner Ken Hager keeps a flag with a skunk for days that they put up a goose egg. It doesn’t happen often at all.

3:48 PM: No skunk flag today for The Flock! That’s a white marlin release for the New Jersey Sea Birds and Mike O'Connor. Still in second place with a long way to go to catch the South Florida Sails, they increase their score to a clean 1,000 Points

Leaderboard as of 3:50 PM
South Florida Sails - 2,475 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 1,000 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 575 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
East Coast Remix
Rhode Island Breakers

4:00 PM: LINES OUT! South Florida Sails end day 2 with a commanding lead in the overall tournament. This is a 20-boat field overall, with The Sails on top and New Jersey Sea Birds in second place.


DAY 3: CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY May 17

Here we go. Final day of competition here from Walker’s Cay. The final SFC boat pushed away from the dock and everyone is off to get lines in at 8:00 AM

7:20 AM: The Rhode Island Breakers are last off the dock today due to a slow freshwater connection at the dock. It took them nearly two hours to fill up their tanks. 

8:00 AM:  LINES IN! The final day has officially kicked off.

9:43 & 9:45 AM: 150 points more for South Carolina Outcast! Justin Matson and Trey Kemmerlin release a sailfish double to add onto their third place total. A blue marlin would now see them jump ahead of the New Jersey Sea Birds for second place. Also…a white marlin would earn them the 200-point grand slam bonus, which would be enough for second.

Leaderboard as of 9:55 AM
South Florida Sails - 2,475 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 1,000 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 725 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
North Carolina Flare - 75 Points
East Coast Remix
Rhode Island Breakers

10:30 AM: Controversy? Not here. Replay confirms both releases for Outcast quickly and we are back to fishing.

11:23 AM: NORTH CAROLINA FLARE WITH A BLUE! Thurman Humphries releases the fish for 450 points and a BIG MOVE on the leaderboard with some big ramifications should the score hold up. That fish allows the Flare to jump Lights Out Boston. Capt. Brian Dressler and crew are not done yet.

11:24 AM: SOUTH FLORIDA SAILS RUNNING UP THE SCORE. Lee Albarty releases another blue marlin as the first place South Florida Sails are approaching the 3,000 point mark. That’s their sixth blue marlin, and they are closing in on an SFC record. 

Third Coast Renegades AC from the Gulf Division released 7 blue marlin during last year’s Pensacola Billfish Release Tournament, which is a single-tournament SFC record. The individual angler record is held by Gregg Trenor, but the Sails have their 6 courtesy of two anglers: Alex Stanley (2) and Lee Albarty (4)

The season points are going to be shaken up in a violent manner should these scores hold up. As of now, if the tournament ended at this moment, the top of the Atlantic Division standings will be shared by both Lights Out Boston and South Florida Sails. The rest of the fleet gets shaken up as well. As we get closer to lines out, we will break it down in more detail

Leaderboard as of 11:55 AM
South Florida Sails - 2,925 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 1,000 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 675 Points
North Carolina Flare - 525 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
East Coast Remix
Rhode Island Breakers

12:45 PM: BIG BLUE MARLIN RELEASE FOR THE SEA BIRDS! Mike O’Connor is the angler, giving him an individual grand slam this weekend. It’s the first in SFC competition since we saw two of the Texas Lone Stars accomplish that on the same day at the Pensacola Billfish release tournament over Independence Day weekend last season. 

More importantly for The Flock, their point total is now 1450, giving them a more comfortable distance between them and South Carolina Outcast in third place.

2:10 PM: EAST COAST REMIX RELEASE A BLUE MARLIN. Kenny Hernandez gets the release to get on the board. This squad needed the fish and are looking for more to climb up the leaderboard. They need a higher placement to stay close in the playoff hunt.

Leaderboard as of 2:18 PM
South Florida Sails - 2,925 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 1,450 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 675 Points
North Carolina Flare - 525 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
East Coast Remix - 450 Points
Rhode Island Breakers

We’re heading into the final hour of competition and the tension is building. Not so much for the tournament win; that looks to be decided, but for the rest of the placements. A blue marlin hookup by any of the 5 clubs in second through sixth will affect the leaderboard.

2:58 PM: And as I say that, Rhode Island Breakers are hooked up! Let’s see what they’ve got and whether they can get a multiple hookup to get out of seventh.

3:15 PM: REMIX HAVE ANOTHER BLUE HOOKED! Kenny Hernandez is in the chair and working on bringing this fish in. JC is on the throttles and backing down. The call from the tower is “BIG BLUE.” Is it big enough to be a qualifier for Carl Allen’s Grander challenge? Either way, 450 points will catapult Remix to third and keep them right in the fight for the Zane Grey Championship Playoffs.

We’re under 30 minutes to go until lines out here at the Walker’s Cay Open. Remix have a fish that will take them from last to third. Also, it will put them in the lead for the daily as well, so a tomahawk steak is in play as well at the end of it.

3:35 PM: REMIX GET THE RELEASE! Chandler Miles grabs the leader for Kenny in the chair and now they sit in third place with 900 points. Remix only has 5 people on the boat. That’s 4 in the pit between Sarah Melia-Cleare, Chandler Miles, Kenny Hernandez and Jorge Corzo. 

Leaderboard as of 3:38 PM
South Florida Sails - 2,925 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 1,450 Points
East Coast Remix - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 675 Points
North Carolina Flare - 525 Points
Lights Out Boston - 450 Points
Rhode Island Breakers

3:45 PM: HERE COMES LIGHTS OUT! Spencer Talbot is hooked onto a fish. They will need this to climb up the standings again, depending on the species. They need this to be at least a white marlin to jump a position, since they are 75 points behind North Carolina Flare. 

3:50 PM: It’s a BLUE MARLIN and it’s LIT UP. They get the release and slide up into fourth place. Can either Remix or Lights Out hook another fish before lines out in 9 minutes?

Leaderboard as of 3:50 PM
South Florida Sails - 2,925 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 1,450 Points
East Coast Remix - 900 Points
Lights Out Boston - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 675 Points
North Carolina Flare - 525 Points
Rhode Island Breakers

4:00 PM: LINES OUT! SOUTH FLORIDA SAILS TAKE THE WALKER’S CAY OPEN. They will climb the gantry and capture the flag when they get back. East Coast Remix in the daily, New Jersey Sea Birds hang on for second place. 

Final Leaderboard
South Florida Sails - 2,925 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 1,450 Points
East Coast Remix - 900 Points
Lights Out Boston - 900 Points
South Carolina Outcast - 675 Points
North Carolina Flare - 525 Points
Rhode Island Breakers