But let's rewind and start from the beginning.

In the 70s, the tournament was just getting its start, and Shiela, Jojo, and Kenneth Del Guero, representing Caines Australia, were the team to beat.

In the 80s, names like Tim Choate, Bob and Barbara Brandon took over the leaderboard, leaving their mark not only on this club but on the entire fishing industry.

The 90s brought John Santasiero and Punch Martyn, who made the Gold Cup a regular stop on their tournament circuit—and took home first-place trophies as souvenirs.

In the 2000s, Winston Wren and his team, Wren’s Ranch Anglers, were unstoppable. Winston, Eric Waldin, Tony Cummings, and Hunter Beall took home the trophy four times before joining forces with Dave Anderson’s winning team, Krazy Salts, to take home another victory in 2020.

The 2010s saw a who's who of world-class fishing talent rise to the top. Team captains like Andres Fanjul, Enrique Tomeu, Jamie Diller, and Clark Beaty left their mark on the tournament then and are still competing today.

And now, the 2020s have been all about the Cheathams, the Kirkpatricks, and the Lazzaras. Who could forget the first-ever all-female team victory on Showtime? Tonya Love-Cheatham, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Serena Wilson, and Molly Flemming stole the show with an electric win against the boys. Not happy the Gold Cup Trophy on the shelf belonged to their wives, Chris Lazzara and Lach Cheatham took home the victory in 2023—and they haven’t stopped since! With teammates Brian Kirkpatrick, Geoff Mayfield, Captain Dave Dalfo, mates, Marshal Busha, and John Stukel, these second- and third-generation club members made history with the Gold Cup’s first-ever three-year running first-place wins.

Chris and Lach met as boys on the docks behind this club, clapping for their friends as they took home the trophies for over 15 years. Now, it’s their turn. Congratulations to Chris, Lach, and the entire Fish Camp team. You've made history!

Photo: Lach and Chris circa 2004 just buddies going fishing.

In addition to the Gold Cup, the club honors a range of achievements, each named for individuals who have left a lasting impact on the tournament. These include the Ann Sodahl Award for Top Woman Angler, the John Rybovich Award for Top Dead Bait Angler, the Bonnie Powell Award for Top Crew, the Bobby Haines Award for Top Captain, and the Chairman’s Award, presented in honor of Donald "Boy" Leas, given to the angler with the highest hook-up to catch ratio.

As Tony Cummings, former Tournament Chairman and a key member of the most successful team in our tournament's history, Wren's Ranch Anglers, so aptly put it, "This is one of the last tradition tournaments - not about the money- it's about the whole experience."
Mr. Cummings, we could not agree with you more.

Pictured are Tony Cummings, Hunter Beall, Team Captain Winston Wren, and Eric Waldin after their 2011 tournament win on Wrenegade, captained by Jimmy Garner.

But with 5 fish before 9am, and a steady chirp on the radio, something is different today!

A few fish early on like this and everyone is a little more tuned in.. No doubt the Captains are spinning around on their best marks and the anglers are keeping their eyes on the baits! ...All of the sudden, there he is!

Back to the familiar sound of the radio relays and call backs. How good it feels to say "One for..."

Keep it up fleet!

Our third fish of the day was caught by Bwana, moving them to a solid first place in the Live Bait division. Bwana is owned by Kevin McCluskey, club member and this year's Tournament Chairman. Kevin is proudly fishing with his son Jack who at only 9 years old completed a Billfish Royal Slam. Come to think of it, Laura has a Royal Slam too.

The talent in this fleet is undeniable, maybe that's why the sailfish are staying away...

Photo: Kevin and Jack fishing yesterday aboard Bwana