InTheBite

  • Home
  • News
    • All News
    • Featured Stories
    • General News
    • Captain of the Year
    • Tournament Results
    • First Builds
    • Splash Reports
    • Old Salts Rule
    • Tackle Tips
    • Dock Talk
    • Crew Records
    • Conservation
  • Tournaments
    • Calendar
    • Captain of the Year
    • Champion’s Cup
  • Shop
    • All Products
    • Subscriptions
    • Back Issues
    • Shirts
    • Hats & Visors
    • Miscellaneous
    • Release Rulers
  • Classifieds
  • Job Board
  • Contact
    • Contact InTheBite
    • InTheBite Media Kit
  • Log in

Buccaneer Cup: Sandman Takes the Win in a Last Minute Leap

February 6, 2020 By InTheBite Editor

boat in rough seas

Photo courtesy Steve Momot, @AH360views

The 57th Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament was held January 22-25, 2020 off of Palm Beach. A total of 160 sailfish were released, The prize, a purse in excess of $250,000, the prestigious and beautiful Buccaneer Cup trophies for the top three boats, and bragging rights for placing in one of the oldest and most enduring billfish tournaments in the world.

Add to that the knowledge that the tournament proceeds benefits the Recreational Fishing Alliance and The Billfish Foundation, made the event all that more important. Teams fish a format giving them the choice to fish any two out of three possible days. With a cold front pushing through just before the first day, teams were rewarded with steady fishing. Although damp conditions put a damper on day two a northwest wind kept the bite consistent through lines out on the last day.

sailfish jumping

Photo courtesy Steve Momot, @AH360views

Courtney Bowden, currently in her seventh year as director of the Buc Cup, did a spectacular job running one of the best-organized and classiest billfish tournaments on the east coast. Along with her team of volunteers and committee members including staff from the RFA and TBF, she has made the Buc one of the most exciting and talked about tournaments of the season. The comradery displayed by the teams in attendance proved to everyone that the Buc Cup is most definitely back! Having team after team noting this was the most fun tournament they had fished in a while.

The tournament opened with the Captains meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22 held outdoors at the recently completed private Tiki Bar at the Rybovich Marine Center (North). The meeting was sponsored by Yamaha, the Viking Yacht Company and HMY Yacht Sales. Robert “Fly” Navarro emceed the event, with his signature electric energy. Although it was cold and damp, participants raved about the pig roast dinner, texting Bowden, “it was the best food they have ever had at a Captains meeting.”

vikings president pat healey

Pat Healey, Viking Yachts. Photo courtesy Steve Momot, @AH360views

A few changes were made for 2020 adding an all-new TBF tagging category and junior angler award. The meeting included raffle items provided by the long list of tournament sponsors, featuring: Engel Coolers filled with goodies, Costa del Mar sunglasses, Maxel Reels, lures, AFTCO, Hi-Liner Offshore Tackle, Grand Slam Sport Fishing, Avid sportswear, Outrigger Yacht Products, Kohler, Kraft Power and Mustad to name a few.

sandman winning team

Sandman. Photo courtesy Steve Momot, @AH360views

Time for the competition!

The majority of the fleet decided to fish on day one, and lay on Friday. Leaving Saturday which, based on the forecast, held the best conditions of the three available fishing days.

Tournament Director (Bowden) wrote; “This year each day was a wild card. And we never knew who would pull into the lead at any point. The Wicked Wahine slayed day one with consistent releases and 2400 points on dead bait. Team Two Cats was not far behind having consistent days on one and two. But Sandman is the team who came out on top with a total of 2800 points on live bait taking the lead in the last hour of the tournament and taking home over $131,900!

wicked wahine  winning team

Wicked Wahine. Photo courtesy Steve Momot, @AH360views

In addition to the top three teams, Team Good Call, took home the first-ever sailfish tagging award with a total of 7 tags deployed safely and in accordance with TBF guidelines. History was also made by Jill Yates, of The Eights Eights who became not only our top female angler but also the TOP OVERALL ANGLER of the tournament, making her the first female top overall angler in the history of the Buccaneer Cup.

“We had a phenomenal group of competitors and teams this year! History was made, fishing was consistent and you certainly won’t find any other tournament having this much fun on the radio” said Bowden.

To add to the excitement, Sportfish Outfitters provided a chase boat for one day and the Buccaneer Marina generously donated the use of their helicopter and pilot for the official photographer, Steve Momot of @ah360views to take aerial photos of the fleet on the final fishing day! And what an exceptionally beautiful day it was!

two cats team

Two Cats. Photo courtesy Steve Momot, @AH360views

The winning teams flooded The Sailfish Club of Florida on Palm Beach Island, Saturday Jan. 25 to receive their awards and celebrate with a full surf and turf buffet that the historical club is known for, seating over 250 guests for the awards dinners and taking home some very large checks and the coveted Buccaneer Cups!

Check out some of the praise the tournament has received from the 2020 teams below:

“Thanks for putting on a great tournament! It’s come a long way in the past few years thanks to your dedication. Well done!” – Richard Robinson (Southern Run) “Just wanted to congratulate you on an amazing job coordinating the Buc Cup. It was my first time competing and in comparison to other sailfish tournaments you do a top-notch job. Bravo to you and your volunteer staff”. – Juan Ruiz (Team Gypsea)

buc cup sponsors image

Good Call with TBF. New for 2020 the TBF top tagging team was awarded to Team Good Call with 7 total tags
successfully and safely deployed with video validation.Photo courtesy Steve Momot, @AH360views

“What a fantastic event this was! We were so incredibly happy to be a part of a very prestigious venue with great fishermen! The Buccaneer Cup is a high-class event and we loved being a part of it. Thank you, Courtney for a spectacular event – we will see you next year!” – Frank Fini and Gerrard Weigold (Double Diamond/ Outnumbered)

“Thank you for putting on an awesome weekend for us, we all had a blast. And, the best food I’ve ever had at a captain’s meeting too. This will surely be one of our regular yearly tournaments now.” – Taylor Sanford

Awards:

The top angler trophies went to Jill Yates on the Eight Eights, who also took home the top female angler award.

Top 3 teams: Sandman, Wicked Wahine, Two Cats

The Buccaneer Cup Tournament cash award for the Most Points on Live Bait ($10,000) went to the Sandman, which pocketed $131,950 total. Most Points on Dead Bait ($10,000) went to Wicked Wahine, the team receiving a check for $24,580 in total purse for their win. The InTheBite Top Captain cup was awarded to Captain John Dudas, who led team Sandman to victory.

double diamond team image

Double Diamond. Photo courtesy Steve Momot, @AH360views

New for 2020 the TBF top tagging team was awarded to Team Good Call with 7 total tags successfully and safely deployed with video validation.

The awards dinner was emceed by Robert “Fly” Navarro and Courtney Bowden. Pat Healey, President of Viking Yachts and member of the RFA Board of Directors, welcomed participants and spoke on the
importance of the support the industry receives from the RFA. Pat presented Ellen Peel of the Billfish Foundation with a check to aid the organization in its ongoing efforts to advance the science used for billfish management and assessment.

Great strides are being made by both organizations to ensure the longevity of our fisheries and industry. The awards banquet was sponsored by MTU Marine Power, Florida Detroit Diesel Allison, and Johnson and Towers.

boats running out of palm beach inlet

Photo courtesy Steve Momot, @AH360views

Sponsors included YAMAHA OUTBOARDS, MTU Diesel, Florida Detroit Diesel Allison, Johnson & Towers, Viking Yachts, Viking Service Center, HMY Yacht Sales, The Buccaneer Marina, C. Nicklaus Starling, Jupiter Beach Spa & Resort, Downey Yachts, Contender Boats, American Custom Yachts, Akzo Nobel-Interlux Paint, Seakeeper, Garmin, Kohler, Electrosea, Sportfish Outfitters, Christi/Travelers Insurance, Atlantic Marine Electronics, American Fishing Wire/Hi-Seas, Release Marine, Reel Time Apps, Rybovich Marina, and Outrigger Marine Products.

2021 dates for the 58th Buccaneer Cup TBA.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Do you have any comments or questions for us? We’d love to hear from you.

    Filed Under: Featured Stories, Fishing, News, Press Releases, Tournament Results, Tournaments Tagged With: 2020 buccaneer cup, Buc Cup, captain john dudas, Florida Division, palm beach, sailfish tournament, sandman

    Recent News

    42.3-Pound Dorado Earns $232,150

    May 17, 2022, Loreto B.C.S —Sunday concluded the third Marina Puerto Escondido Fishing Tournament as 51 Teams competed for over a HALF-MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH PRIZES, the highest ever awarded for a fishing tournament in the Loreto area. According to S … [Read More...]

    Boats Sunk for Artificial Reef in Memory of Capt. Patrick Price

    By Zachary Granat Last year, on Sept. 6, 2021, Capt. Patrick Price passed away after a battle with COVID-19. This month, the MCAC Artificial Reef Fund honored him by sinking two artificial reefs off the coast of St. Lucie County. Two boats, the … [Read More...]

    O-Ring Stop

    Captain Dickie Dickinson Jupiter Fishing Charters Skill Level: Easy … [Read More...]

    Strange Creatures Come Out at Night

      By Captain Kevin Deerman It’s always been amazing to me to see what kind of creatures show up in the lights around the boat at night when tuna fishing off the Texas coast. Over the years we’ve encountered many different types of fis … [Read More...]

    Colombia To Ban Recreational Fishing

    By Zachary Granat On May 2, the Supreme Court of Colombia ruled that recreational fishing was unconstitutional. As a result, Colombians expect a ban on recreational fishing to take effect within one year. The decision comes after the Court’s 2 … [Read More...]

    Leave a Reply

    Connect With InTheBite

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Subscribe to InTheBite Magazine Today!

    InTheBite Magazine Current Cover

    Our latest issue is hitting the docks now! Be sure to subscribe to the hottest bluewater mag on the market. Purchase or Subscribe »

    InTheBite Champion’s Cup

    InTheBite Champions Cup Logo

    New for 2022, the Champion’s Cup is an optional paid entry with a winner-takes-all prize format for teams who want to up the stakes in each division utilizing our longstanding tournament scoring formula.

    Captain of the Year Cup Standings

    COTY / ITB Cup Logo

    News

    • 42.3-Pound Dorado Earns $232,150

      42.3-Pound Dorado Earns $232,150

      May 17, 2022, Loreto B.C.S —Sunday concluded the third Marina Puerto Escondido Fishing Tournament as 51 Teams competed for over a HALF-MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH PRIZES, the highest ever awarded for a fishing tournament in the Loreto area. According to Stenson Hamann, Marketing Manager of the event, "The attendance has grown 85% over its short three-year history, beginning in 2019." Team... [Read More...]

    • Boats Sunk for Artificial Reef in Memory of Capt. Patrick Price

      Boats Sunk for Artificial Reef in Memory of Capt. Patrick Price

      By Zachary Granat Last year, on Sept. 6, 2021, Capt. Patrick Price passed away after a battle with COVID-19. This month, the MCAC Artificial Reef Fund honored him by sinking two artificial reefs off the coast of St. Lucie County. Two boats, the 65-foot Spirit of Palm Beach—renamed the DayMaker—and the 98-foot Last One—renamed the Capt. Patrick Price Reef—are now... [Read More...]

    • Colombia To Ban Recreational Fishing

      Colombia To Ban Recreational Fishing

      By Zachary Granat On May 2, the Supreme Court of Colombia ruled that recreational fishing was unconstitutional. As a result, Colombians expect a ban on recreational fishing to take effect within one year. The decision comes after the Court’s 2019 ban on recreational hunting. Then, the Court held that recreational hunting was animal cruelty and a threat to the environment.... [Read More...]

    • Blue Marlin Blast Fishing Tournament

      Blue Marlin Blast Fishing Tournament

      By Toine van Ierland, Tournament Director Cape Verde on fire! In both 2020 and 2021, we were forced to postpone the tournament thanks to COVID-19, but on the night of April 24, 2022, we finally kicked off the 2022 EFSA European Championship Big Game Fishing Tournament, AKA The PENN Challenge. And what a tournament it was. Expectations Two weeks prior... [Read More...]

    • New State Record for Dolphin Fish

      New State Record for Dolphin Fish

      Georgia DNR, Brunswick, Ga., May 5, 2022—A 53-year-old Midway man is the new state record holder for dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus), also known as mahi mahi, after the Georgia Department of Natural Resources certified his catch Friday. James Roberts of Midway landed the 68-pound, 1.6-ounce dolphin on April 26. He was fishing over Deli Ledge approximately 80 miles east of... [Read More...]

    Search InTheBite

    Copyright © 2022 InTheBite, LLC · All Rights Reserved.

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.