InTheBite

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

Capt. Greg DiStefano: What it Takes to Make Captain of the Year

November 22, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

Captain Greg DiStefano, El Suertudo, 80-foot Weaver

Homeport: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

900 points include: Bisbee’s Black and Blue, 1st Place Release Division; Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Tournament, 3rd Place Release Division; Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, 2nd Place Release Division

Captain Greg DiStefano is no stranger to either tournament victory or magazine write ups. In addition to his skill catching blacks and blues in tournament situations, there is a near 100% chance that DiStefano and owner/2018 WINNERS international division angler Guy Yocom have caught a bigger yellowfin tuna than you. In 2012, the pair won a million dollars for catching a world record 427-pound yellowfin on a Mustad hook. DiStefano’s experience fishing the waters surrounding Cabo San Lucas is extensive and marked by successful endeavor. When discussing his approach to tournament fishing, DiStefano is laid back and thoughtful.

“We focus on pre-fishing. Go do your own thing and focus on what you’re doing,” he recommends. “Forget what everybody else is doing. Focus on what you see and not what you hear on the radio or at the bar. We don’t expect people to tell us the truth if we asked… so we don’t ask them,” DiStefano says with a laugh as he describes his tournament preparation. “This year we pre-fished a lot with just the crew. Guy gives us the tools and says, ‘We’ll see you when the tournament comes,’” DiStefano says. “We couldn’t do it without him. He gives us every bit of opportunity – he says, ‘Go for it.’ He doesn’t ask a bunch of questions, he lets us do our thing. It really helps having an owner who understands what it takes to be successful. He is an all-around great guy. It also really helps to have a family that supports us, with all the travel that is involved.”

While the majority of the El Suertudo’s Captain of the Year points came from finishes in the releases divisions, the team is also accomplished in targeting large marlin for the scales. In the Los Cabos Offshore Tournament, the team finished third in the release division and weighed a 361. “We pulled the hooks on a good one on the second day of the Black and Blue – when nobody caught anything,” DiStefano recalls. The El Suertudo, roughly translated the Lucky One, is marked by stability of captain and crew. “I’ve worked with the owner for 12 years. My mate Oswaldo and I have been together for 11 years. We have the yellowfin record and a bluefin line class record,” DiStefano says. Guy Yocom owns the boat. For tournaments, he brings his buddies down to fish. Anglers on El Suertudo include Yocom, Bruce McDonald, Chris Kirkley, Greg Chase, Gary Mason and Azam Flores.

Running the cockpit are first mate Oswaldo “Balin” Ortega – first mate, Noe Cruz and Alfonso Ortega, Oswaldo’s father. When tournament marlin fishing, DiStefano deploys mullet or mud flap dredges, two teasers (squid chains mainly) and a five lure spread. When it comes to their pitch baits, the El Suertudo’s arsenal includes sierra mackeral, horse ballyhoo, and rigged caballitos (goggle eyes). More than the spread and putting in the time to prefish, DiStefano credits the close relationships of those who fish together.

“Balin and I are really close friends. We’re all dedicated to the boat and to fishing, but we’re also really competitive. We race cars off road in Baja – my boss does it, too. We’re very competitive.” DiStefano’s southern California roots are evidenced by his laid back, reflective manner and approach to fishing. He grew up in San Clemente, California in south Orange County. While much of the operation is based out of Cabo San Lucas, Guy Yocom also owns a 61-foot boat in Dana Point, California. The current El Suertudo is an 80-foot Weaver. “We’ve been extremely happy with the Weaver. We bought it used a year and a half ago out of Texas. It’s a 2008. Jim Weaver builds an amazing boat.”

Captain Greg DiStefano and El Suertudo’s 2018 campaign took top honors in a hotly contested Los Sueños International Division. DiStefano’s 900 points were enough to best the five other captains who finished within 200 points of the lead. Congratulations also goes to Captains Brent Gaskill (Builder’s Choice) and Cookie Murray (Auspicious) who finished in a second place tie with 800 points on the year. Captain Greg DiStefano is also the first Cabo-based captain to win Captain of the Year honors.

Read about another InTheBite Captain of the Year, Capt. John Louis Dudas, here…

 

 

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, News Tagged With: billfish, Bisbee Los Cabos Offshore Tournament, InTheBite, magazine, marlin, sportfishing

Transducer Breakdown and Awards From AIRMAR

May 22, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

AIRMAR Technology Corporation, the leader in the manufacture of transducers, is a proud sponsor of the Captain of the Year East Coast Division. 

When it comes to transducers, there is much more to it than meets the eye. In this edition of InTheBite Dock Talk, Airmar’s Marketing Director Craig Cushman provides an overview of how to determine the best package of transducers for your sportfishing program.

InTheBite presented the AIRMAR East Coast Division Captain of the Year award at the Bohicket Billfish Tournament captains meeting. Congratulations to Captain Alan Neiford and crew aboard Mister Pete, they had an awesome year! In addition to the recognition he receives from InTheBite, AIRMAR rewarded an additional prize of $2,000 because the boat was equipped with an AIRMAR transducer.

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: 2018, airmar, alan neiford, award presentation, billfish, bohicket billfish tournament, Captain of the Year, Captains, COTY, crews, Dock Talk, East Coast Division, fishing, governors cup, InTheBite, magazine, marine electronics, Mates, packages, south carolina, sponsors, sportfish, sportfishing, technology corportation, transducers, trophy, winners

Orange Beach Billfish Classic Kicks Off the Furuno Gulf Coast Division

May 16, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

The kick off to the Furuno Gulf Coast Division— the Orange Beach Billfish Classic— is officially underway.  Check out InTheBite.com for updates…

Source: Gulf Coast Triple Crown Enews —

Grander Marine & Invincible Boats Present The 2019 Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship

Celebrating its ninth season in 2019, the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship, The Most Sought After Championship in Sportfishing will feature a couple of important changes to the series, including new sponsors. Grander Marine and Invincible Boats are coming aboard as the new 2019 Presenting Sponsors. The pairing is a good synergy on several levels.

“I personally like to fish the Triple Crown tournaments and have been part of a team that was in contention previously,” says Grander Marine owner and angler Chris Bazor. “Our company sells new boats, brokerage boats and offers service, so sponsoring the series is a good way to help fellow contestants and promote our business. We’ll be competing aboard a 40 Invincible catamaran this season, so we figured why not? The owner of Invincible Boats is a passionate offshore angler too and the company builds some of the best quality mono-hull and catamarans in the sport-fishing industry, so it was a natural partnership.”

Grander Marine has a showroom and full service facility on Canal Road in Orange Beach, Alabama. Another satellite facility is scheduled to open later this summer. In addition to being the Gulf Coast dealer for Invincible Boats, Grander Marine also carries a full line of premium fishing and pleasure boats as part of its line-up. The Blue Marlin Grand Championship, the final leg of the five-tournament series, is held at The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach.

GCTC Director Scott Burt also commissioned a commemorative trophy that will be on permanent display at The Wharf Marina’s Outfitter’s Store. Created by marine metal artist Frank Ledbetter, the perpetual trophy will sit atop a rotating base and will feature all previous Triple Crown Champions. The team trophy, another stunning marlin sculpture crafted by Ledbetter, will be awarded annually to each champion.

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: 2019, alabama, award, billfish, Blue Marlin, Captain of the Year, center consoles, championship, fishing, furuno, Grander Marine, gulf coast, Gulf Coast Triple Crown, Hatteras, InTheBite, Invincible Boats sportfish, magazine, marine electronics, marlin, orange beach, Orange Beach Billfish Classic, Outfitter Store, sportfishing, The Wharf Marina, tournaments

2018 Captain of the Year Awards Presentation – Los Sueños International Division

February 28, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

Congratulations to Captain Greg Distefano, mate Balin Oswaldo and El Suertudo owner Guy Yocom!

The InTheBite Captain of the Year award for the Los Sueños International Division was presented to Capt. Greg in Latina Miguel, California February 16th.

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: 2018, awards, california, Captain Greg Distefano, Captain of the Year, Costa Rica, El Suertudo, International Division, InTheBite, Latina Miguel, Los Suenos, magazine, photo gallery, presentation, resort and marina, sportfish, sportfising, winner

2018 Hawaii Division Captain of the Year Winner: Captain Rob Ellyn

January 23, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

Captain Rob Ellyn

Lightspeed, 47-foot Cabo

Homeport: Honokohau Harbor, Kona

1,250 points include: Kona Throw Down, 1st Place; Firecracker Open, Heaviest Marlin, 667.5-pounds; Hawaiian Tournament Series, 1st Place.

Congratulations to Captain Rob Ellyn for winning the 2018 Hawaiian Division Captain of the Year award. Ellyn, running the 47-foot Cabo Lightspeed out of Honokohau Harbor in Kona, is no stranger to the Captain of the Year (COTY) award or the winner’s circle. In the five-year history of the COTY in Hawaii, the captain has won the award twice, winning it in 2014 and 2108. The two-time COTY champion fished against a field of renowned Hawaiian captains. Winning the accolade twice, when fishing against notable captains such as Kerwin Masunaga, Marlin Parker, McGrew Rice, Stymie Epstein, Kevin Nakamaru, Carlton Taniyama, Gene Vanderhoek, Shane O’Brien, Teddy Hoogs and Jeff Kahl just to name a few, is quite an accomplishment.

In 2018, InTheBite sanctioned 11 major tournaments in the calm, marlin-rich waters of Kona, Hawaii. Using the COTY scoring system, Ellyn won the honor by earning 1,250 total points. He racked up 500-points with the heaviest blue marlin, a 667.5-pounder, in the two-day Firecracker Open. He then won 500 first-place points by winning the Kona Throw Down, a three-day event that coincides with the World and Kona Cups, when his angler Rick Shedore tagged and released eight blue marlin.

The day the tournament season ended, Ellyn had 1,000 COTY points and was tied with two other excellent Kona captains. Veteran Capt. Carlton Taniyama, on the Five Star, who won first-place in the Rock and Reel and the Lure Maker Challenge. Shane O’Brien on the Strong Persuader, a young captain who has been on fire in both Kona and Cabo the past couple of years. O’Brien won first-place points in Hawaii by winning the Skins Marlin Derby and the Big Island Marlin Tournament.

When the points were tallied for Jody Bright’s Hawaiian Tournament Series, a total of seven major tournaments, Ellyn won the Series top boat award, and Lightspeed angler Rick Shedore won the Series top angler. The 250-points for winning a tournament series put Ellyn over the top to win the COTY with 1,250 points. It is worth noting that Rick Shedore was the defending 2017 Series Champion angler as well.

Congratulations to both Capt. Carlton Taniyama, on the Five Star and Shane O’Brien on the Strong Persuader. I would consider them in a second-place tie. Capt. Teddy Hoogs on the Bwana takes the third-place position with 900-points.

The Lightspeed is armed with two great anglers, owner/angler Rob McCarthy and Rick Shedore. McCarthy and Shedore have only been fishing in Kona together for the past two years, but they have great chemistry. Ellyn has known Shedore for a long time. The two were good friends when Ellyn used to fish in Mexico. Ellyn says, “Communication is the key,” for the good juju onboard the Lightspeed. Congratulations also goes to the 2018 Lightspeed crew members, Travis Ota, Scott “Scooter” Fuller, and Chris Storrs.

I asked the humble, salty captain – who immediately went elk hunting in Idaho after the tournament season was over – about his thoughts on winning the COTY for the second time. He said, “I would like to thank Rick and Rob for the opportunity to fish the tournaments. Without them it wouldn’t be possible. Again, a big thanks to Rob McCarthy for giving us the opportunity to fish in such an awesome fishery. If you haven’t fished Kona, you should.”

Like I always say whenever anyone asks, “When is the best time to fish Kona?” The answer is simple – “Anytime you can.” Nice going Rob! – by Mark Johnston

The 2019 Captain of the Year Cup presented by Hatteras is proud to announce a full slate of divisional sponsors for 2019. Contender Florida Division, the Los Suenos International Division, the AIRMAR East Coast Division, the Furuno Gulf Division, and the Sea Genie II Hawaii Division. ITB thanks all of the sponsors – stay tuned for an exciting year.

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: 2019, billfis, cabo boats, Captain of the Year, captain rob ellyn, COTY, Hatteras, Hawaii Division, InTheBite, kona, light speed, magazine, Release Ruler, sanctioned tournaments, sea geanie II, sportfish, sportfishing, yachts

47th Invitational Gold Cup Team Fishing Tournament Final Results

January 9, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

47th GOLD CUP

TEAM FISHING TOURNAMENT

January 3 – 7, 2019

Showtime! Takes Home its First Gold Cup Trophy

PALM BEACH – The Sailfish Club of Florida hosted its 47th Annual Gold Cup Invitational Team Fishing Tournament January 3-7, 2019. Chairman Anthony Cummings led this year’s tournament.

The tournament had 28 teams and 119 anglers. Five of those teams were competing in the Gold Cup for the first time! The tournament also included its “regular” teams who have been fishing the Gold Cup for years, including Ed Joy, on the Streaker who has participated in the tournament every year since its inception.

Unfortunately, this year the fish were not biting, and only 58 sailfish were released among the 4-day tournament. The 2018 Gold Cup ended with a total of 232 releases and in 2017, 448 releases!

Six of the 28 boats fished the first day and only brought in 9 releases. The second day had 26 boats out in the water and only 20 releases

Taking home this year’s Gold Cup trophy for the first time with a total of 8 sailfish and 2,400 points was the team aboard Showtime! Representing Sailfish Point Yacht Club was Boat Captain, Wink Doerzbacher, Team Captain Fred Hardwick and anglers Nancy Hardwick, Tom Russell, and Howard Webb. Howard Webb was the top angler of the evening winning the Chairman’s Award (best ratio of shots to releases), John Rybovich Memorial Award (most sailfish released on dead bait), and heaviest dolphin award.

Capturing second place was the team aboard Wrapped Up representing the Sailfish Club of Florida. Boat Captain, Andy Ford, Team Captain Chris Lazzara, and anglers Hunter Beall, Kendall Cheatham, and Brian Kirkpatrick released a total of four sailfish, all on Day 2, and ended with 1,200 points. The team also received the High Daily Award for Day 2.

Third place with 900 points was the Lo Que Sea also representing the Sailfish Club. Lach Cheatham led the team with Boat Captain Kevin Paul and anglers Gunner Askeland, Geoff Mayfield, Dave Cash, and Alternate: Tonya Love-Cheatham.

The Gold Cup was founded in 1972 by John Rybovich to test the skills of anglers catching and releasing sailfish off the east coast of Florida. The Gold Cup is a perpetual trophy maintained by the Sailfish Club and is one of the most coveted prizes in competitive sport-fishing.

Thank you to the Gold Cup Committee for an excellent tournament!

Photos by: Leonard Bryant Photography

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, Featured Stories, General News, News, Tournament Results Tagged With: 47th Invitational Gold Cup Team Fishing Tournament, captain, Captain of the Year, catch and release, COTY, final results, Florida Division, Fred Hardwick, Gold Cup, InTheBite, magazine, Sailfish, sailfish club, Showtime, sportfishing, tournament updates, Wink Doerzbacher

Final Results: Pelican Yacht Club’s 39th Annual Invitational Billfish Tournament

January 9, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

Opening day of the Pelican Yacht Club’s 39th Annual Invitational Billfish Tournament!
It’s also a sanctioned event in our Captain of the Year Contender Florida Division. Good luck and tight lines to all fishing! 

Photo Courtesy of Island Marine Services, Fort. Pierce

DAY 1 RESULTS:

Full results on Reel Time Apps

DAY 2 5:00pm UPDATE:

Photo courtesy of Jessey Rudolph, mate on Grand Slam.

FINAL RESULTS:

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: 2019, Captain of the Year, Contender Boats, COTY, fishing tournament, Florida, Florida Division, fort pierce, InTheBite, island marine services, magazine, Opening Day, Pelican Yacht Club's 39th Annual Invitational Billfish Tournament, Sailfish

Captain of the Year Tournaments Kicking Off the New Year

December 27, 2018 By InTheBite Editor

The first of the 2019 Captain of the Year sanctioned tournaments in the Contender Florida Division kick off next week:

Click here to view the FULL Tournament Calendar.

Good luck to all the captains and crews fishing these tournaments.

We’re rigged and ready to see who comes out on top!

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: 2019, billfish, boats, Captain of the Year, contender, COTY, Florida Division, fort pierce, gold cup fishing tournament, Hatteras, InTheBite, magazine, new year, pelican yacht club invitational, Sailfish, sanctioned tournaments, Silver Sailfish Derby, sportfish, sportfishing, west palm beach, yachts

2018 InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup: Winners Update

October 3, 2018 By InTheBite Editor

Here are the winning results for 3 of the 5 Divisions in the 2018 InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup presented by Hatteras:

Congratulations to the following Captains!

Release Ruler Hawaii Division
Capt. Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed, 1250 Points
Costa Gulf Coast Division
Capt. Jason Buck, Done Deal, 2150 Points

Airmar East Coast Division

Capt. Alan Neiford, Mister Pete, 1750 Points

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: airmar, alan neiford, Captain of the Year, Captains, costa sunglasses, COTY, Done Deal, East Coast Division, gulf coast division, InTheBite, Jason Buck, lightspeed, magazine, mister pete, Release Ruler, rob ellyn, sportfishing, tournament updates, winners

60th Annual Labor Day White Marlin Tournament Results

September 4, 2018 By InTheBite Editor

Winner of the Billfish Release division with 23 white marlin releases & 1 blue marlin release is Buckshot.

Winner of the tuna category with a 150.2 lb. big eye tuna is Pumpin Hard.

Filed Under: Captain of the Year, Featured Stories, News, Tournament Results Tagged With: 60th labor day white marlin tournament, airmar, billfish releases, bucketshot, Captain of the Year, dolphin, East Coast Division, final results, InTheBite, new jersey, ocean city marlin club, pumpin hard, Tuna

Next Page »

Connect With InTheBite

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign Up for the InTheBite Newsletter


Subscribe to InTheBite Magazine Today!

Current InTheBite Magazine Cover

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

Upcoming Tournaments

Wed 18

6th Annual Fish Heads of Stuart Sailfish Invitational

December 18 - December 21
Tue 07

Pelican Yacht Club Invitational

January 7, 2020 - January 11, 2020
Wed 08

83rd Annual Silver Sailfish Derby

January 8, 2020 - January 11, 2020
Fri 10

Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament

January 10, 2020 - January 12, 2020
Fri 10

46th Annual Stuart Boat Show

January 10, 2020 - January 12, 2020

View More…

News

  • Tales from the Smelly Bilge: Feminists Blockade Marlin Tournament: Event Canceled

    Tales from the Smelly Bilge: Feminists Blockade Marlin Tournament: Event Canceled

    By Elliott Stark “I am a redneck, I eat gas station nachos. Before that phone call, I didn’t even know what a feminist was… and I certainly wasn’t trying to piss any of them off,” says Bobby MacGrath, director of the Marlin Grander Prix. “We’ve just been down here, minding our own business – running a fishing tournament for three... [Read More...]

  • Tackle & Maintenance Tips

    Tackle & Maintenance Tips

    Foam Reel Storage Capt. Jeff Donahue 70-foot Hatteras, Hatterascal Skill Level: When it comes to interior design, rod and reel storage on a boat is commonly an afterthought. Capt. Donahue  utilizes strategically-placed foam under the salon sofa to securely stow his arsenal of reels (as pictured). Captain Donahue purchased his foam from www.thefoamfactory.com and says “outline each reel and cut... [Read More...]

  • Caribsea wins 56th Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament

    Caribsea wins 56th Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament

    The 56th Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament kicked off at Whale Harbor hosting 80 anglers, plus friends and family with a grand buffet. Great Sailfish action started on Friday morning and continued over the next three days concluding on December 8th.  Captain KC Spaulding of the Caribsea led anglers Kenny Spaulding, Sam Milazzo, Phillip Bryan and Lee Gahagen all from Islamorada,... [Read More...]

  • Kona: You Should Really Go

    Kona: You Should Really Go

    By Elliott Stark Kona, Hawaii is a wonderful place. In terms of distance from a continental landmass, the Hawaiian archipelago is one of the most remote strings of islands in the world. Kona sits on the western edge of the Island of Hawaii—the Big Island. Its rocky coastline is the result of millions of years of volcanic deposits piling atop... [Read More...]

  • Splash Report: Sea Angel, The Last of the 72 Merritts

    Splash Report: Sea Angel, The Last of the 72 Merritts

    Captain BC Angel and the Angel family are well traveled veterans of the sportfishing landscape. From Venezuela to Mag Bay to the Bahamas and Bermuda and Costa Rica, the Sea Angel team has done it. They now have a new platform from which to execute their operation – the newest, and last 72 Merritt ever made. “I like everything about... [Read More...]

Captain of the Year Cup Standings Presented by Hatteras

Captain of the Year Cup Standings Logo

View the current standings for InTheBite's Captain of the Year Cup... Leaderboard »

Search InTheBite

Copyright © 2019 InTheBite, LLC · All Rights Reserved.