Photo Credit: Noah Robert of Liquid Film Group
Showtime Fishing Team earned a second burgundy jacket and the title as 2021 Quest For The Crest Champions this past weekend, proving once again that hard work and determination yields trophies.
After a 13th place finish on Friday’s day one of Final Sail, Captain Nick Carullo lead his team to victory aboard their brand new 46’ Release Boatworks Walkaround to release 15 sailfish on day two of the tournament. Totaling 21 releases overall put them at second place for the third leg of the sailfish series and donned them Quest For The Crest Grand Champions, along with a lush payday of $115,550.
Earlier this season, Showtime Fishing Team took first place in Operation Sailfish, leg one of the 2021 Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series in South Florida. Even though a cold snap rolled in forecasting a usual hot sailfish bite that time of year, total releases for the 41-boat two-day tournament only profited 140 sails. Against all odds, Showtime rose to the challenge and won the tournament with 5 releases during day 1 and 3 by the end of day 2, giving them 8 series points and closer to the series championship title than any other team.
Leg two of the series, Sailfish Challenge, was won by Native Son Fishing Team with 13 releases, but Showtime still scored 6 points to keep them in the running for Grand Champion. 64 boats fished Sailfish Challenge for a total of 193 releases in two days.
Operation Sailfish, Sailfish Challenge, and Final Sail are separate tournaments in the 3-part sailfish series Quest For The Crest, which Showtime valiantly won along with an $271,800 purse in 2019 after they dominated the entire series with a total of 80 series points. They also won first place in the Dust ‘Em Off Sailfish Warm-up that same year.
The Quest for the Crest is hosted out of Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, FL. The allure of a $2 million dollar purse and a hot sailfish bite attracts some of the top teams in the sport to this elite series every year. With prime dates secured in premier destinations during the sailfish season in South Florida, each leg of the series is guaranteed to deliver the ultimate tournament experience for fellow competitors. The crown jewel of South Florida sailfish, the burgundy jacket, is presented to just one team at the conclusion of the Quest series each year. Both the jacket and the crest that resides on it represent the highest achievement in the sport. Privilege is earned in this series where teams go all in to become the #1 sailfishing team in the world.
Showtime Fishing Team’s Capt. Carullo also earned honors as the 2019 Contender Florida Division “Captain of The Year” from InTheBite, and credits that to having a committed group of team players, consisting of Joe Fernandez, Frankie Villasante, Sarah Melia, and Doug Mientkiewicz. Manning the cockpit are Jacek Ozyp, JC Cleare, Kyle Sherman and Jorge Corzo. The team’s tournament line up is rounded out by Jason Spiewak on the camera.
Release Boatworks is honored to have built the 46’ Walkaround for SHOWTIME, and we look forward to witnessing them win many more titles to come.
To start building your custom walkaround, call 833-FISH-RBW today!
