Fourth Annual Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament: Team Killbox Clinches Win
MARATHON, FLORIDA KEYS – In a display of speed, precision, and endurance, nearly 100 anglers across 17 vessels competed with one of the ocean’s most elusive game fish during the Fourth Annual Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament, held April 24–26. Team Killbox clinched the win with nine sailfish releases in a tournament total of 52 releases and over $100,000 in cash prizes.
With steady 20-knot easterlies, conditions were sporty. Day one reports pushed vessels west between Key West and Islamorada, where Sand Key Lighthouse produced steady action. 34 sailfish were released. Day two brought rain, clouds, and hungry tuna schools working against anglers, yielding 18 more releases in a tightly contested leaderboard.
Results:
Top Junior Angler: Luca Picariello, Silent Hunter (200)
Top Female Angler: Jill Paglia, Executive Decision (200)
Top Male Angler: Mark Busch, Main One (300)
1st Place: Team Killbox – Captain Cody Darbie, Mate Clint “Digger” Rodamer, anglers Tyler Kelley, Joe Marino, Corbin Buckley, Phillip Bryan, Chad Ritch, Jose Boza, KC Spalding (900)
2nd Place: Team Main One – Captain Marty Lewis, Mate Mike Cangemi, anglers Mark Busch, JW Drott, Ben Zdan, Danny Lombardo (500)
3rd Place: Team Rhumline – Land and Sea Market – Captain Andrew Hunt, Mate Matthew Sexton, anglers Todd Picariello, Chris Thommes, Mikey Shander, Andrew Hunt (500)
Most Tagged: Team Yeti Or Knot (300)
Notable and surprising catch included a blue marlin by Executive Decision and free divers swept out to sea during a nearby lionfish derby, heroically rescued and released by Salt Shaker.
The weekend kicked off with team registration and bucket swag at Marriott’s Fairfield Inn Tiki Hut. It closed at Aquarium Encounters with an awards banquet and benefit for local schools, Special Olympics youth, and Mission Fishin’, a free on-the-water program for families.
Sponsored in part by the Busch and Dedinsky families, Eddie Forbes Art, Everglades Fishing Co, Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club, Grays Taxidermy, Lower Keys Bait & Tackle, Sotheby’s International Realty, and Florida Keys Tourist Development Council.
Next year’s tournament runs April 16–18, 2026. Contact Katie Lewis at katie@marathonsailfish.com or visitmarathonsailfish.com. We’ll “sea” you there!
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1st Place Trophy sponsored by The Busch Family goes to team Killbox. The team consisted of Captain Cody Darbie, Mate Clint "Digger" Rodamer, and anglers Tyler Kelley, Joe Marino, Corbin Buckley, Phillip Bryan, Chad Ritch, Jose Boza, and KC Spalding. This year's members are from Marathon, Islamorada, and Auburndale, Florida.
2nd Place Trophy sponsored by Sotheby's International Realty goes to team Main One. Their team members were Captain Marty Lewis, Mate Mike Cangemi, and anglers Mark Busch, JW Drott, Ben Zdan, and Danny Lombardo. This year's team members represented Westlake Ohio, Marathon, Fort Meyers, Jupiter, and Tavernier Florida.
3rd Place Overall Trophy sponsored by The Dedinsky Family goes to team Rhumline – Land and Sea Market placed third overall. Members of the team were Captain Andrew Hunt, Mate Matthew Sexton and anglers Todd Picariello, Chris Thommes, Mikey Shander, and Andrew Hunt. This year's team members all hail from Marathon, Florida.
Top Female Angler trophy sponsored by Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club went to team Executive Decision's Jill Paglia from Ocala, Florida.
Top Junior Angler trophy sponsored by Lower Keys Bait & Tackle went to team Silent Hunter's Luca Picariello from Marathon, Florida.
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