LIVE UPDATES: ZANE GREY CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS

We’ve made it to the final stop of the season. This is what it’s all about. Four angling clubs, the top of their divisions, competing for the right to be called champion and kiss the crystal Zane Grey Trophy. 

DAY 1: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
*ALL TIMES PACIFIC STANDARD TIME

7:00AM: PICANTE SHOTGUN START! The Zane Grey Championship Playoffs are under way, and it looks like all of the boats have headed north. Just how far north have they gone? We will probably know based on who reports the first releases. 

8:19AM: First on the board are the New Jersey Sea Birds! Fishing on a Pisces Sportfishing charter. “Reels & Dirt,” a 72’ Viking Enclosed Bridge. Blaine Birch who is normally the skipper for The Flock is down in the cockpit with the rest of his crew. He’s the angler to kick it off for the Birds and the overall tournament releasing a striped marlin for an early 100 points.

8:53AM: New Jersey with another striped marlin. Blaine’s cousin, Stephen Birch releases their second for another 100 points.

9:16AM: Guessing the Texas Lone Stars went a little further north, as they report their first release via Raul Perez. That’s the first of the 9 o’ clock hour.

9:25AM: A third for the Birds, Stephen Melchiorre with the striped marlin release.

9:33AM: Lone Stars release a double! We have Kenny Krummins and Roberto Velazquez tag team with white marlin releases.

9:35AM: Third Coast Renegades get on the board with a double! Connor McLeod and Katie Sawyer are the anglers for their striped marlin. 

9:45AM: Lone Stars for the early lead! Bryan Richter released his first striped marlin of the tournament.

9:50AM: The Flock strikes back with a double! Dave McKendrick and Jarrett Birch release two white marlin to retake the lead.

9:56AM: Captain Landon Bell releases his first striped marlin and first fish of the SFC season! Since the Third Coast Renegades are fishing on a different boat: “Magnifico,” a 60’ Spencer, he’s off-duty on captaining the boat and is in the cockpit with his crew. Similar to Captain Blaine Birch of the Sea Birds. 

9:50AM: WE HAVE OUR FIRST BLUE MARLIN ON THE BOARD! Lights Out Boston hit big on their first fish, with Jackie Hayes the angler. It’s her first blue marlin ever. That’s 450 points quickly for the Atlantic Division Champions.

10:04AM: Lone Stars release another white marlin double! Roberto Velazquez and Raul Perez are the two anglers behind the additional 200 points to the Gulf Division runners-up.

10:12AM: Blaine Birch, the self-proclaimed: “Strongest Captain in the league” releases another white marlin. As a former college lacrosse player and linebacker who ran a low, four-second 40 yard dash, he’s likely earned that title.

10:18AM: Landon Bell is making the most of his time in the cockpit, releasing another white marlin for an additional 100 points.

10:23AM: Texas Lone Stars are back at it again, Raul Perez released another striped marlin.

10:27AM: First striped Marlin of the day for Lights Out Boston comes from Ross Nasin, bringing them to 550 points. Being the last to release a fish, that’s an indication of how far Lights Out may have gone. With a lot of their prefishing days being up at the finger banks, it sounds like they went back up that way again today.

10:31AM: Third Coast Renegades mate Connor McLeod back in the action with another striped marlin release.

10:35AM: Fresh off her first blue marlin ever Jackie Hayes releases a striped marlin for Lights Out Boston.

10:40AM: Kenny Krummins is back again with another striped marlin for the Texas Lone Stars.

10:47AM: Is he boxing others out for the action? Krummins “Diesel” with another striped marlin release.

10:48AM: Legendary striped marlin release for Lights Out Boston’s legend in residence Ray Rosher.

Quick leaderboard and scoring update while we have a moment to collect our breath approaching hour four of the competition:

Texas Lone Stars - 900 Points
Lights Out Boston - 750 Points
New Jersey Sea Birds - 600 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 500 Points

10:57AM: Sea Birds Triple! Blaine Birch, Stephen Birch and Dave McKendrick dancing in the cockpit to bring in the striped marlin for New Jersey. Steve and Dave have been known to roughhouse on board (and at media day) so we will keep an eye out for what the celebration looks like after those releases, which will jump them back into second place.

11:09AM:  WE HAVE ANOTHER LEAD CHANGE! Lights Out, who were the last club to get on the board this morning have now taken the lead after a double striped marlin release, courtesy of Ray Rosher and Matteo Scena.

11:17AM SCORE UPDATE
LIGHTS OUT BOSTON - 950 POINTS
TEXAS LONE STARS - 900 POINTS
NEW JERSEY SEA BIRDS - 900 POINTS
THIRD COAST RENEGADES - 600 POINTS

11:16AM: Connor McLeod brings in another striped marlin for the Renegades.

11:24AM: Garrett Frazier, Magnifico’s owner, co-owner of the Third Coast Renegades and partner in Anetik Performance released a striped marlin. That’s his first of the day!

11:30AM: Lone Stars are powered by Krummins Diesel right now, releasing another striped marlin.

11:41AM: Rob Carmichael releases his first fish of the day for Lights Out Boston and it's a striped marlin. 

APPROACHING NOON:
TEXAS LONE STARS - 1,100 POINTS
LIGHTS OUT BOSTON - 1,050 POINTS
NEW JERSEY SEA BIRDS - 1,000 POINTS
THIRD COAST RENEGADES - 800 POINTS

11:59AM: Jarrett Birch, and the New Jersey Sea Birds release a striped marlin.

12:08PM: Casey Carmichael, the angler who set a new SFC record earlier this season for most billfish released in a single tournament by a female angler (10, OBBC) releases her first fish of the day for Lights Out Boston. 

12:12PM: David Blackbird gets in on the action for the Texas Lone Stars! Striped marlin release for the Jefe. 

12:14PM: Zack Redman of the Third Coast Renegades releases a striped marlin.

12:17PM: Striped marlin for Kenny Krummins of the Texas Lone Stars.

12:18PM: Another marlin of the striped variety for Katie Sawyer of the Third Coast Renegades.

12:24PM: There goes that man Kenny Krummins again for the Texas Lone Stars with another striped marlin.

12:32PM: All Texas action for this stretch, with the Third Coast Renegades and Garrett Frazier releasing another striped marlin.

12:34PM: Renegades are climbing! Connor McLeod with a striped marlin release.

12:39PM: Lights Out Boston and Casey Carmichael release another striped marlin.

12:44PM: SEA BIRDS QUINTUPLE RELEASE! The Birch brothers Jarrett & Blaine, cousin Stephen, then Stephen Melchiorre and Dave McKendrick release all five striped marlin and bring in 500 points. The action is red hot.

12:59PM: Lone Stars hit back with a striped marlin double released by Raul Perez and Bryan Richter.

12:59PM: At the same time, Garrett Frazier released a striped marlin for the Third Coast Renegades.

1:00PM LEADERBOARD UPDATE:
TEXAS LONE STARS - 1,700 POINTS
NEW JERSEY SEA BIRDS - 1,600 POINTS
LIGHTS OUT BOSTON - 1,350 POINTS
THIRD COAST RENEGADES - 1,300 POINTS

One fish is the difference between first and second place, but with the multiple striped marlin hookups we’re seeing means the leaderboard will continue to shuffle.

1:11PM: Lights Out and Ray Rosher release a striped marlin. 

SFC Insider Note: from here on out, just assume the species is a striped marlin unless otherwise specified.

1:20PM: Lone Star Double for Kenny Krummins and David Blackbird

1:22PM: Third Coast Renegades and Katie Sawyer with another one.

1:25PM: Jarrett Birch of the Sea Birds with a release.

1:36PM: Another Lone Star Double for Raul Perez & Bryan Richter.

1:56PM: Landon Bell of the Renegades with a single.

2:08PM: Solo dolo release for Blaine Birch of the Sea Birds.

2:28PM: Ross Nasin of Lights Out Boston racks up another solo release.

2:42PM: Third Coast Renegades hit a double with Garrett Frazier and Katie Sawyer the anglers.

2:44PM: Kenny Krummins adds another release for the Lone Stars.

2:45PM: Rob Carmichael and Lights Out Boston rack up another 100 points with a release. 

APPROACHING 3PM LEADERBOARD UPDATE:
TEXAS LONE STARS - 2,200 POINTS
NEW JERSEY SEA BIRDS - 1,800 POINTS
THIRD COAST RENEGADES - 1,700 POINTS
LIGHTS OUT BOSTON - 1,650 POINTS

3:07PM: A double for the Third Coast Renegades is good enough to jump from third to second! Garrett Frazier and Connor McLeod reeling those fish in.

3:24PM: The Texas Lone Stars continue to extend their lead with another release by Bryan Richter.

3:26PM: Lights Out is clawing back to third place with a release by Rob West.

3:29PM: David Blackbird adds another white marlin for the Lone Stars

3:36PM: Late momentum for Lights Out sees them climbing the leaderboard with another release by Ray Rosher

3:43PM: Third Coast Renegades and Katie Sawyer get another release. 

3:45PM: Ray Rosher and Lights Out hit back with another release

4:00PM LEADERBOARD UPDATE
TEXAS LONE STARS - 2,400 POINTS
THIRD COAST RENEGADES - 2,000 POINTS
LIGHTS OUT BOSTON - 1,950 POINTS
NEW JERSEY SEA BIRDS - 1,800 POINTS

4:02PM: Lights Out’s latest release brings them back into second place.

4:10PM: Here comes Lights Out! Jackie Hayes with another release.

4:23PM: Another Lone Stars Double! David Blackbird & Kenny Krummins on the releases.

4:24PM: Third Coast Renegades and Connor McLeod with another release.

4:39PM: Ray Rosher and Lights Out Boston hit back with another 100 points.

4:48PM: Blaine Birch and the Sea Birds break a 2 hour, 48 minute period without a release. They’re looking to get back in this since no position is out of reach.

4:52PM: But the Lone Stars are trying their hardest to pull away with yet another double by Raul Perez and Kenny Krummins.

5:00PM: The Renegades close out a double with Katie Sawyer and Garrett Frazier.

5:00PM: Ray Rosher and Lights Out Boston at the same time releases another striped marlin.

Overall billfish count so far today: 90 fish, 89 striped marlin, 1 blue marlin. Quite the day.

5:06PM: Looks like the Lone Stars are packing up for the day and Lights Out are heading in as well. Hugs all around on the boat for what was an incredible day one. Unless someone raises a multi-species multi or a quintuple hook up, their lead is safe heading into Championship Monday.

5:20PM: A late Sea Birds Double keeps them in the hunt! Brothers Blaine and Jarrett Birch release two striped marlin as the sun begins to set over the Pacific.

5:25PM: One last fish! Third Coast Renegades and Garrett Frazier release one last striped marlin before calling it a day, jumping Lights Out for second.

UNOFFICIAL DAY 1 LEADERBOARD
TEXAS LONE STARS - 2,800 POINTS
THIRD COAST RENEGADES - 2,400 POINTS
LIGHTS OUT BOSTON - 2,350 POINTS
NEW JERSEY SEA BIRDS - 2,100 POINTS

Stay tuned for updates from the docks before we head out tomorrow to crown a SFC Champion Angling Club.

CHAMPIONSHIP MONDAY, OCTOBER 20

7:00AM: PICANTE SHOTGUN START! They’re off once again and all the boats have headed NORTH. I would not be surprised if they head back to the same spots as yesterday since the action was red hot. We will be ready to crown a new league champion at 5:30PM local time!

8:42AM: SEA BIRDS GET THE FIRST FISH OF THE DAY! The 72’ Viking Enclosed Bridge “Reels & Dirt,” chartered through Pisces Sportfishing is an absolute rocket ship, and they went throttles down at the start. First to the spot means first lines in the water, means first fish on the board. Jarrett Birch getting the first striped marlin release.

REMINDER: Since this is striped marlin territory, every release we call out will be a striped marlin unless otherwise noted. 

8:45AM: FIRST DOUBLE OF THE DAY TO THE LONE STARS: Raul Perez and David Blackbird team up for 200 points to extend their lead. The Scottie Scheffler-backed squad is looking to take the title in their first year of SFC competition.

9:03AM: SEA BIRDS DOUBLE! 300 of the first 500 points of the day go to New Jersey. Dave McKendrick and Blaine Birch are the anglers on this double.

9:07AM: Rob Carmichael gets the first fish on the board for Lights Out!

9:14AM: ANOTHER SEA BIRDS DOUBLE: Stephen Melchiorre and Dave McKendrick get another 200 points and The Flock are cooking.

9:23AM: Third Coast Renegades are on the board! Connor McLeod reels in the first 100 points.

9:43AM: Lights Out with another single thanks to Rob Carmichael.

9:57AM: RENEGADES DOUBLE in 10 minutes, Katie Sawyer and Connor McLeod tag team another 200 points to get them back in the fight.

10:05AM: Lone Stars single, brought in by the Diesel Kenny Krummins.

10:07AM: Sea Birds and Blaine Birch hit back with a single release of their own too.

HERE’S OUR UPDATED LEADERBOARD A LITTLE AFTER 10:00AM

TEXAS LONE STARS - 3,100 POINTS
THIRD COAST RENEGADES - 2,700 POINTS
NEW JERSEY SEA BIRDS - 2,700 POINTS
LIGHTS OUT BOSTON - 2,550 POINTS

FYI on placements: though tied in point total, the tiebreaker is determined by the time of release. Renegades reached their point total sooner than the Sea Birds, which puts them in sole possession of second place. Whoever releases the next fish will have the tiebreaker advantage for position moving forward.

10:18AM: Lights out Boston and Casey Carmichael with a solo release.

10:33AM: Raul Perez with the Lone Stars with a single.

10:35AM: Rob West from Lights Out Boston with a single.

10:46AM: Another single for the Lone Stars and Bryan Richter.

The additional fish from Lights Out jump them up from fourth to second, and trail The Lone Stars by 550 points. That’s a striped marlin and a blue or black marlin’s worth of points. 

10:57AM: The New Jersey Sea Birds continue to chip away. This time, it’s Blaine Birch with a single.

11:40AM: After the longest lull in the action so far this weekend, the Third Coast Renegades found another fish, with Zack Redman credited for the release.

11:42AM: Lone Stars come right back too with Roberto Velazquez the angler of record.

11:47AM: LIGHTS OUT DOUBLE! That was needed for them to stay in this fight. Ray Rosher and Matteo Scena the duo. 

11:57AM: Third Coast Renegades with a single released by Katie Sawyer.

12:03PM: ANOTHER LIGHTS OUT DOUBLE. Ray Rosher and Casey Carmichael credited with releases this time around.

12:15PM: RENEGADES DOUBLE! Everyone looks to be doubling up at the moment. Garrett Frazier and Katie Sawyer releasing the two fish.

12:20PM: LONE STARS DOUBLE. The leaders keep taking punches and trading them right back. David Blackbird and Bryan Richter team up for the extra 200 points.

12:27PM: Lights Out released a single courtesy of Ray Rosher.

12:32PM: Sea Birds back in action! Blaine Birch releases a single.

TWO HOURS TO GO BEFORE WE’RE ON THE AIR FOR CHAMPIONSHIP MONDAY. HERE’S WHERE THINGS STAND:

TEXAS LONE STARS - 3,600 POINTS
LIGHTS OUT BOSTON - 3,250 POINTS
THIRD COAST RENEGADES - 3,100 POINT
NEW JERSEY SEA BIRDS - 3,000 POINTS

12:41PM: Garrett Frazier of the Renegades releases a single.

1:00PM: Right on the dot,  Rob West of Lights Out Boston gets another fish, cutting into the Lone Stars lead.

1:11PM: HERE COME THE RENEGADES! A double released by Robert Tyson and Katie Sawyer push them past Lights Out for second place, and are within 200 points of the Texas Lone Stars. 

1:41PM: LIGHTS OUT ARE BACK IN SECOND! Casey Carmichael’s striped marlin release brings them within 150 points of the lead.

1:45PM: Blaine Birch releases a white marlin for the New Jersey Sea Birds.

1:50PM: When the Lone Stars need a fish, they turn to Kenny Krummins. A striped marlin release gives them a little bit of breathing room, but not much. 

1:50PM: At the same time, Katie Sawyer releases a striped marlin for the Third Coast Renegades.

2:04PM: SEA BIRDS ARE HOOKED UP ON A QUAD!

2:05PM: Kenny Krummins doing it again for the Lone Stars, but they need to start hooking up with multiples to protect their lead.

2:10PM: Kate Sawyer and the Renegades release another fish.

2:19PM: Three of the Sea Birds quad have been released. Stephen Melchiorre, Blaine Birch and Jarrett Birch. 

2:40PM: Lights Out and Rob Carmichael released another to get within 50 points of second place.

2:46PM: Big celebration on-board with the Sea Birds with Jarrett Birch to complete the quad. They’re 50 points behind Lights Out for third, and 300 points behind the lead.

UPDATED LEADERBOARD
TEXAS LONE STARS - 3,800 POINTS
THIRD COAST RENEGADES - 3,600 POINTS
LIGHTS OUT BOSTON - 3,550 POINTS
NEW JERSEY SEA BIRDS - 3,500 POINTS

3:15PM: RENEGADES ARE HOOKED ON A TRIPLE!!! They have released 2 of the 3 from Zack Redman and Garrett Frazier. The third will give them the lead. 

3:22PM: THE THIRD BREAKS OFF! They’re tied in points but the Lone Stars remain in the lead due to the tiebreaker being based on time. 

3:32PM: WE HAVE A NEW LEADER! Robert Tyson releases a striped marlin to take the lead from the Texas Lone Stars. It’s been quiet for them.

3:44PM: Ross Nasin releases another fish for Lights Out.

3:46PM: Sea Birds and Jarrett Birch closing in as well with another release.

4:00PM: We have a sailfish sighting! Ross Nasin of Lights Out Boston releases a sailfish for 75 points.

4:04PM: LONE STARS BLUE MARLIN!!! David Blackbird cashes in 450 points with the second blue marlin of the tournament to retake the lead!!!

4:19PM: Jarett Birch of the Sea Birds releases a striped marlin.

4:29PM: The Diesel, Kenny Krummins adding some insurance for the Lone Stars with another release.

4:38PM: A DOUBLE FOR THE RENEGADES! Katie Sawyer and Robert Tyson team up.

4:53PM: Ray Rosher of Lights Out Boston releases a striped Marlin. They’re trying to catch up but the Lone Stars and Renegades are running away with their fight for the lead.

4:57PM: Garrett Frazier of the Third Coast Renegades release a striped marlin to get within 50 points of the Lone Stars! Any fish will give them the lead.

5:11PM: LONE STARS HOOKED ON A DOUBLE! Raul Perez gets the first while Kenny Krummins continues to fight the second.

5:12PM: Sea Birds release a triple by Stephen Melchiorre, Jarett Birch and Stephen Birch, bringing them within 350 points!

5:14PM: Landon Bell of the Third Coast Renegades releases a fish! It’s coming down to the wire.

5:23PM: SECOND OF THE DOUBLE COMPLETED FOR THE TEXAS LONE STARS!!! KENNY KRUMMINS BRINGS IT HOME.

5:27PM: THREE MINUTES LEFT. YES WE ARE YELLING IN ALL CAPS. EVERY. FISH. COUNTS.

5:30PM: NOBODY IS HOOKED UP AT LINES OUT. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEXAS LONE STARS, YOUR 2025 SFC CHAMPIONS!